A specialist building component manufacturer based in North Lincolnshire is so impressed by the thermal efficiency, speed and ease of installation of the Actis Hybrid range it plans to use the full system on its entire new range of modular timber pods.
Fair Share Group Ltd, trading as Highseal Manufacturing Company, has been making PVC doors, windows and conservatories since 2008.
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and a change in market trends towards modular buildings, they have diversified and launched a new brand, Cre8a, to fulfil the growing demand for living, working and relaxation spaces in gardens.
Cre8a Pods can be used as independent living zones for grown up children, home offices, B and B chalets, yoga studios, spas, gyms, music rooms, art and craft workshops or, of course, meditative hideaways and luxury garden rooms.
It also plans to use the entire Actis Hybrid system on the second phase of its designs – Cre8a house extensions.
The modular design of the Cre8a range means elements can be slotted together in a variety of size and style combinations, all complying with current building regulations and offered on a supply only or supply and build basis.
The roof and walls of the pods will be insulated with the entire Actis Hybrid system, ensuring the pods stay cool in summer and warm during winter. Using 125mm honeycomb insulation Hybris and vapour control layer HControl Hybrid in the roof and 50mm Hybris, breather membrane BoostR Hybrid and HControl Hybrid in the walls, the pods will enjoy an impressive U-value of 0.18 in the roof and 0.19 in the walls – higher than the specification required under current building regulations.
Electricity, infrared or under floor heating, plumbing and shower rooms can be included.
Cre8a director Neil Donaldson explained: “When researching the design for the new pods we looked at a variety of insulation options before settling on Actis Hybrid. It’s CE marked, NHBC approved and has LABC and LABSS registered details. We chose it not only for its impressive thermal efficiency, but also for the ease, cleanliness and the speed with which it can be installed.
"The fact that the products are flexible and can be shaped firmly around corners and into awkward spaces addresses thermal bridging issues – thus increasing thermal efficiency. In addition, they produce no dust or fibre which means there is no need for masks or special clothing.”
Other users have been impressed that the speed at which it can be installed has cut labour time by between 25 and 50%.
Off-site manufacturers are increasingly drawn to the Hybrid system as it can be easily installed in the factory, with completed, ready insulated panels brought to site for installation.
With Cre8a Pods the insulation, Hybris is installed into the wall panels in the factory, while the insulating vapour control layer, HControl Hybrid and insulating breather membrane BoostR Hybrid are installed on site once the panels have been slotted together to ensure the building is water and airtight.
The use of a vapour control layer and a breather membrane significantly reduces the risk of interstitial condensation, guarantees air tightness and can protect the building from precipitation and wind driven rain.
Thermal modelling trials carried out by certification body BM TRADA have shown that Actis insulated membranes have a dramatic impact on counteracting thermal bridging and act as excellent thermal blankets.
As the products are so easy to install – indeed can be taught via online videos - they can be fitted effectively by less experienced team members, thus freeing up more experienced staff to work on other, more complex elements of the construction process.