Together the system offers one of the most sustainable closed panel timber frame solutions on the market.
The company’s new Precision® range closed wall panels also sees Cygnum introduce its own cellulose insulation – composed of 80% recycled paper. With this development, Cygnum is Europe’s first timber frame manufacturer to produce and install its own insulation at source, signifying the company’s commitment to innovative and sustainable timber frame manufacturing.
Dedicated to developing environmentally-friendly construction methods, Cygnum set about creating a new closed panel system to minimise the carbon footprint of each construction component. By producing and installing its own cellulose, from locally sourced waste paper, Cygnum delivers complete panels to the construction site. This minimises the overall carbon footprint through reduced transport, reduced packaging and reduced waste.
Quality insulation is integral to the use of timber frame during the construction of a sustainable building. Closed panel systems, when insulated with high performance cellulose, can deliver outstanding levels of energy efficiency. To meet and exceed environmental building regulations, Cygnum’s Precision® range will incorporate a low-cost, robust process for transforming paper material into cellulose insulation fibres. The company has developed this process as part of the InsulaTFH project, which is funded by the European Union ECO-Innovation programme. ECO-Innovation supports the commercialisation of practical initiatives which have the potential for major reductions in environmental impacts.
The InsulaTFH project commenced in June 2009. Working with a German equipment supplier and FIEC, the European Construction Industry Federation, Cygnum completed the development of processes for manufacturing cellulose from recycled newsprint and for filling timber panels to achieve a target U-value of 0.15 and lower.
To accommodate these processes, Cygnum has installed a new production line at its timber frame manufacturing facility. Once installed into the closed panels, the cellulose provides exceptional thermal conductivity – helping specifiers, contractors, home-builders and developers to achieve outstanding levels of thermal performance and air tightness.
Each wall panel is manufactured using advanced in-house methods of manufacturing and cellulose insulation to dramatically reduce thermal bridging. Now, by using advanced detailing around junctions and the factory-installed cellulose, the ability to reduce heat loss associated with thermal bridging can be tackled more efficiently. With close attention to detail during the manufacturing process, the Precision® range makes cellulose a more affordable option whilst ensuring improved standards of insulation are easily achievable.
“The launch of the new Precision® range is part of Cygnum’s ongoing research and development into innovative solutions for the creation of low carbon buildings.” said John Desmond, Managing Director at Cygnum Timber Frame Ltd. “The manufacture and installation of high performance insulation at our facility is the logical step for closed panel systems as we remain committed to delivering low energy building solutions.”
The Precision® range is set to be officially unveiled by Cygnum at Ecobuild 2011 – the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment – held at London’s ExCeL Exhibition and Conference Centre from 1st – 3rd March 2011.
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