The Structural Timber Association (STA) has announced the launch of its Structural Timber Thermal Details platform, the UK’s first free to use library of psi-values for timber frame construction.
The platform has over 1,500 details and associated psi values. It covers five generic timber frame wall systems, non-habitable and attic trussed rafter systems and I-Joists and metal web engineered timber floors. Details are presented for single family homes and multi-occupancy apartments.
Paul Newman, Technical Director at the STA, said: “The launch of the STA Structural Timber Thermal Details website represents an important step forward in supporting energy assessors, designers, manufacturers and their wider project teams in delivering high-performance timber buildings. As energy efficiency requirements continue to evolve, the industry needs practical, reliable and easily accessible guidance that helps simplify the specification process and improve consistency across projects.
“This platform provides a significant library of independently calculated thermal bridge details, together with the information needed to support compliance and design optimisation. By making these resources freely available, we hope to help the industry reduce design risk, improve building performance and encourage greater confidence in the use of structural timber systems.”
Thermal performance is a consideration for all forms of construction. All buildings must be designed to comply with the functional requirements of building regulations, as a minimum standard. The STA has invested in this industry leading project, to deliver the UK’s first online free to use generic structural timber thermal details website.
The project, which is a collaboration between Timber Development UK, Swedish Wood and Knauf Insulation, using leading industry specialists, Studio Partington Architects and Briary Energy, initially focuses on timber frame systems. However, the website has been designed to accommodate other timber construction systems, such as SIPS, mass timber and proprietary systems, in the future.
David Hopkins, CEO of Timber Development UK, said: “TDUK is proud to be supporting this project. There is an overwhelming need to improve the thermal performance of UK housing stock, to lower energy bills and reduce emissions. This set of details will provide housebuilders and designers with the information they need to do just that. They show the improved performance which can be achieved using timber systems and we hope more housebuilders will choose this approach to make new British homes fit for the future.”
Stephen King, UK Project Manager at Swedish Wood, said: “Swedish Wood regard the Thermal Details Platform project to be a great success. The management of the project and the willing and highly competent individuals who contributed to it have been seen to be first class. The resulting platform will no doubt be of great use to the subscribers both now and in the future.”
James Hulbert, Head of Housing & Offsite at Knauf Insulation, said: “Accurate psi-values are critical in achieving compliance in new-build housing, minimising costs, and optimising designs to maintain competitiveness. The masonry sector has long had access to trade association and manufacturer pattern book values, while the timber frame sector was crying out for its own. The speed with which the STA, Studio Partington and Briary Energy have put together over 1,500 details, all with industry review, has been mightily impressive. The Thermal Details Platform will prove to be an invaluable resource to STA Members, much as the STA Fire in use Pattern Book has become, and the platform will continue to grow as constructions evolve.”
Colin Davis, Director at Studio Partington, said: “We know how costly and frustrating it can be to produce and source consistent, reliable and accurate thermal details and calculations. With over 1,500 timber frame details, each with a Psi value and temperature factor, this resource lets designers make confident decisions from day one. The platform is the result of a fantastic collaborative effort, bringing together expertise from across the industry to deliver something truly valuable. We’re proud to have played our part in the project, made possible through a shared commitment to technical excellence and investment in innovation.”
Michael Juckes, Briary Technical Director, said: “Briary has thoroughly enjoyed contributing to this comprehensive suite of Psi value calculations for Timber Frame specifications. These details will support SAP assessors in producing compliant calculations, offering improved thermal performance over current SAP default values and deliver greater confidence for clients and developers. Created with the expertise of the STA and designs by architects such as Studio Partington, this project provides genuine value to the industry. We’re proud to have worked alongside everyone involved and played an integral part in its success.”
Paul concluded: “The association is especially grateful to Knauf Insulation, Swedish Wood and Timber Development UK for contributing towards the project and to Studio Partington and Briary for their work developing details and producing calculations. We are also grateful to everyone who has reviewed details, reviewed documents and provided their own information to assist in the development of this fantastic new resource. The project has been a real team effort.”
To find out more about the STA’s Structural Timber Thermal Details platform, visit STA / Structural Timber Thermal Details
