Timber frame boss makes fabric first plea
3 May 2013Stewart Milne Timber Systems group managing director Alex Goodfellow has called on the government to pursue a “fabric first” path to deliver carbon efficiency in the UK’s new homes.
Mr Goodfellow was speaking ahead of a visit by Fergus Ewing, Scottish minister for energy, enterprise and toursim.
He said the journey towards zero carbon homes in Scotland would be best served through collaboration between government and industry.
Mr Goodfellow said retrofitting homes and designing new builds with more efficient technology and heating systems, as well as better loft insulation, would help improve energy usage in current housing stock.
"However, this action alone can only take us so far," he said. "The challenging financial climate is a key consideration for developers and local councils and the latest innovations in product development and building techniques such as a fabric first approach could see developers erect homes using only the most sustainable building materials that can bring significant financial savings and cash flow benefits as well as a reduction in carbon."
Stewart Milne Timber Systems has just completed work on an exemplar eco-homes project in the north of Scotland. Findhorn, located in Moray, was designed to showcase the latest developments in low energy construction and has attracted buyers from across the world.
