Timber component (?) manufacturers

[gravelld]

I found an interesting company in Germany who make timber components for all sorts of things, including trusses for installing EWI in.

 

The company is Lignotrend (https://www.lignotrend.de/en/home/) and here's an example product I'm interested in: https://www.lignotrend.de/en/products/certifiedcomponents/b21-daemmung-wand-sanierung-mauerwerk-fachwerk/

 

They don't seem to have a presence in the UK. I sent them an email, but not hopeful for a positive outcome. If I wanted to find a UK firm making something similar, what do I search for? I don't even know what you'd call this type of company!

[Mackers]

Any truss manufacturer could make that. What about using I-Beams or webbed joists or just make them yourself?

[gravelld]

Initially I'm looking at getting a price estimate so I can compare with the normal EWI sticky block route... Thanks for the new keywords to search Google with!

 

I'm thinking I-Beams or webbed joists might be a bit over-engineered, just need something like http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/all-about-larsen-trusses (see the pics at the bottom).

 

I was hoping that if a firm was already making similar components I might be able to bring the price down due to scaling effects (e.g. they already have the machines set up to quickly mass produce).

Edited April 27, 2018 by gravelld

[Mackers]

I can see your logic. Check out Larson Truss for the DIY option. 

[bissoejosh]

How do you want to use them? As an addition to the outside of a structural wall or as the structure itself?

 

I looked for Larsen truss suppliers but struggled so have gone down the I-Beam route which gives a very similar outcome.

Edited April 28, 2018 by bissoejosh

[gravelld]

As an addition to an existing masonry building, so not structural, which is why Larsen Truss is perfect.

 

@bissoejosh I'd be really interested in any research you came up with.

 

Do you not think using I-Beams is overkill and therefore more expensive? Furthermore, I would prefer not having the web continuous down the length for thermal bridging reasons.

 

I thought a local joiner would also be able to come up with the trusses, so I'll need a schedule of trusses. It would be interesting to compare prices with any suppliers of Larsen trusses (if they existed).

Edited April 28, 2018 by gravelld

[bissoejosh]

That should make it a lot easier. The issue I had involved sign off for the the structure and the manufacturer complying but this was for a full structural frame.

 

Have you seen the Charlie Luxton blog? He used i-beams over masonry for insulation. I think the issue of cold bridging through the web is pretty similar to a Larsen truss design which uses thicker section timber and balances out to an insignificant amount but I could be wrong.  I-Beams are nice to work with - lightweight, straight and readily available. Cost wise I can't say as I never managed to get a truss price unfortunately. Another option could be posi joists used as wall studs? http://www.moduland.eu/posi-joist/posi-stud-walls/

 

 

 

 

 

[gravelld]

I haven't been keeping up with Mr Luxton's blog, thanks for that, will check it. Just took a quick look - looks like he's blowing the cavity with EPS bead, which is what I was going to do (or use cellulose).

 

I took a look at the prices for the Steico products - they make a wall joist. Might be worth talking to them about whether this could be used.

 

I took a look at their price list at http://www.steico.com/fileadmin/steico/content/pdf/Marketing/UK/Price_List/STEICO_pricelist_int_i.pdf

 

From my calculation it looks like around £3.5-4k for the i-beams.

 

Thanks so much for your input @bissoejosh

[Mackers]

I would use Cellulose but I think installers is the issue or lack of

[gravelld]

Only worry I have in this location with cellulose (on the external wall) is if it gets wet... somehow. But then if you have a torrent going in obviously you've a problem with EPS too.

 

I'm also guessing it's a bit more expensive.

 

I get some decrement delay and thermal capacity because the existing structure is masonry.

 

Maybe cellulose is inherently more airtight though, which would be good against the old external walls, which will form the new AT layer being rendered.

Edited April 29, 2018 by gravelld