Masonite Beams Selected for Luxury Eco Homes

Masonite engineered timber I-Joists, used as part of the TRADIS® closed panel wall and roof system, have been selected for an exclusive development of four luxury low energy homes near Penrith.

At the development, levels of insulation twice that required by the Building Regulations have been achieved. The developer, Eden Frame, has added the benefit of an array of photo-voltaic cells to each dwelling, which can create up to 50% of the electricity requirements of each household. The site has been orientated to optimise the sun's energy. Solar panels have also been incorporated on the rear of the garage roofs to provide over 50% of any hot water requirements. The houses provide a warm and ambient low energy home that requires minimal heating with exceptionally low energy requirements. Re-cycled and re-cyclable materials have been utilised where possible, including new products from sustainable sources. Materials with low-embodied energy have been used in preference to standard building materials.

The TRADIS® system consists of pre-insulated panels designed to provide thermal performance to the highest standard. This timber frame wall and warm roof system comprises Masonite engineered timber I-Joists and Beams; Panelvent® sheathing boards; Warmcel® 500 insulation; Paneline® internal sheathing board and a vapour control layer specified to provide the minimum vapour resistance difference between the warm and cold side of the panel.

Masonite I-Joists combine a machine stress graded timber flange with either a Masonite K40 or Class 3 OSB structural board web. The I-Joists are manufactured in accordance with the environmental management system ISO 14001 and utilise wood fibre certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) with full chain of custody processes.

Panelvent® is a 9.2mm sheathing board, developed specifically for the timber frame industry as an alternative to plywood or OSB. Panelvent® combines the benefits of a category 1 racking strength with a water vapour open construction. Manufactured from wood chips and forest thinnings, Panelvent® combines low formaldehyde emissions in use with low embodied energy in manufacture.

Warmcel® 500 Thermal Insulation is produced from recycled newspaper with positive eco assessment ratings. It is breathable insulation: allowing moisture vapour to travel through
the timber frame void. It has competitive 'U' values compared to mineral fibre quilt and high levels of accreditation/certification from BBA, LPCB and BREEAM.

Paneline® is a 6.4mm internal sheathing board, developed as an internal lining, and used to create a void for injecting Warmcel® 500. Manufactured from wood chips and forest thinnings, Paneline® also utilises the unique Masonite defibration system to combine low formaldehyde emissions in use and low embodied energy in manufacture.

Commenting on the TRADIS® system, Trevor Lowis of the developer Eden Frame, says:
“We've used this system on several housebuilding schemes for roofs,walls and floors, and the off-site element of it means a shorter build time with speedy erection on site. We find it an efficient and easy to use build method and would recommend it highly for developers looking to achieve high Code Level ratings.”