Realistic solutions for the zero carbon challenge
Successfully building at higher levels within The Code for Sustainable Homes requires an attention to detail in the design and site build beyond what is currently typical on conventional house building sites.
Delivering a reliable highly insulated and airtight external building envelope is essential to meet the requirements for Code Levels 5 and 6. The Litchfield Group of Companies is unique in providing a fully integrated solution, supplied and installed, for external walls, windows and entrance doors through our three specialist companies.
The Litchfield Group 'Trinity' - Total Solutions Approach for the External Envelope
Walls
ICF-Tech is an advanced walling system that delivers speed and efficiency of construction with outstanding thermal, acoustic and air-tightness performance.
Windows
Sheerframe is the brand name of our PVC window system. Sheerframe is the most widely specified window system by housebuilders, housing associations and local authorities in the UK.
Doors
Masterdor is the brand name for our high-performance entrance door system. Manufactured to any style, size and colour combination, Masterdor offers exceptionally low U-values (0.9 W/m2K), exceptional air-tightness whilst still meeting the requirements of PAS 24 and Secured by Design.
How this meets the zero carbon challenge
Sheerframe HED Window Systems
Sheerframe windows have been designed and developed specifically to meet the needs of the new social housebuilding industry and achieve the highest levels within The Code for Sustainable Homes, including levels 5 and 6 (Zero Carbon). A wide range of window styles is available with excellent reliability, weather-performance, appearance and functionality.
Sheerframe HED (Homogenous Energy Dynamics) is accredited by the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) as providing a U-Value of 0.8 W/m2K. This high level of performance has been achieved with a conventionally styled outward-opening casement window featuring slim sightlines making this an entirely unique proposition within the UK window industry.
Sheerframe HED features fully reinforced frames and windows are accredited to BS7950, thereby meeting the requirements of Secured by Design. Being able to meet Secured by Design is unique for such a low u-value window. A development meeting the requirements of Secured by Design collects valuable additional points as part of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
This system also meets the criteria for Lifetime Homes as windows can be configured with low-level handle positions.
Uniquely to the UK, Sheerframe profiles are manufactured using Calcium Organic stabilisers instead of Lead-based stabilisers. Under the Green Guide, Sheerframe 'domestic' windows are given an 'A-rating' and so collect credits under the 'Materials' section of The Code for Sustainable Homes under the Green Guide system.
Masterdor Entrance Doors
Masterdor is a high-performance entrance door-set widely specified by local authorities and housing associations for social housing applications.
'Thermal' Masterdor utilises a 54mm thick-engineered timber door leaf with a foam core to provide a U-Value of the door-set (including frame) of 0.9 W/m2K.
Masterdor is accredited to PAS23 and PAS24 with Secured by Design compliance and door-sets have exceptionally high levels of air-tightness due to their unique triple weatherseal design.
Crucially Masterdor plays a key role in delivering low levels of air leakage in the building envelope, which is essential when building to high-levels required by the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Masterdor is supplied to site as a pre-finished complete door-set incorporating a PVC outerframe system that is colour matched to Sheerframe PVC windows.
Masterdor is bespoke manufactured in a wide range of styles, both traditional and modern. Many high level Code projects feature modern architecture where a traditional door style is not appropriate.
ICF-Tech Walling System
Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) combines speed and efficiency of construction with outstanding thermal and acoustic performance. It therefore makes it an ideal solution when building to high levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
ICF has been used for many years across North America and Continental Europe, but ICF-Tech is the only system designed specifically for the UK market.
ICF-Tech comprises lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) forms that are quickly built up on site to create formwork walls. Once in place the formwork is filled with a specially developed self-compacting concrete which incorporates cement replacements in order to reduce the embodied CO2 content. Walls one storey high can be completed in one day, and will be ready to take a roof or floor construction the following day.
The ICF-Tech system delivers low u-value walls (0.19 to 0.11) which are very slender in width compared to other wall constructions; this means that internal floor space of homes is maximised.
ICF-Tech walls are inherently very airtight, typically achieving 0.74 m3/m2/hr @ 50Pa without the need for internal parge coats. Air-tightness is essential when building at high levels of the code.
The ICF-Tech solution is a complete building system. In addition to the forms, the system includes all the ancillary items required for a successful build, such as an integrated cavity closer system, bracing and alignment system, floor-ledgers and so on. The ICF-Tech system has been designed to accommodate lintels, wall ties, damp proof course and other components, to provide a simple and complete construction solution.
The ICF-Tech system has been designed to be more cost effective than conventional forms of construction.
ICF-Tech provides a risk-free structural walling solution to clients. Our in-house contract management, structural engineering, architectural and estimating capability ensures that we work with clients on every aspect of the build, from ground-works up.
ICF-Tech construction generates a minimum amount of waste on site. Off-cuts from forms are collected on site and re-cycled directly into the manufacturing process of new forms. Building with ICF-Tech is a very sustainable choice.
