Offsite Manufacturing of Timber-Frame Woodfibre Insulated Construction Systems for Nearly-to-Zero Carbon Dwellings in Wales, UK

This paper discusses some of the findings of a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) research project that has refined the materials and processes of offsite manufactured timber-frame wood fibre insulated construction systems for nearly-to-zero embodied and operational carbon dwellings inWales, UK. Context to the need for reducing carbon emissions is given from aUKandWales perspective and targets for 60% of housing to be constructed from timber in Wales. The methodology presented outlines a step-by-step process from material supply to fully manufactured two-dimensional (2D) closed panel systems for walls, roofs, and floors, using equipment that only three manufacturers use in the UK for fibrebased insulation. The outcomes of the methodological implementation have led to full scale production of the 2D prefabricated panels systems for Gwynfaen, Wales' largest zero-carbon social housing development. The next steps are discussed which include performance testing of the panel systems in manufacture and during construction.