A new timber-based wall system has been brought over to the UK market from Scandinavia in direct response to increasing requirements for improved u-values in construction.
ITW Industry’s Alpine SpaceStud system, already being used by Stewart Milne Timber Systems, seeks to woo the timber frame sector away from standard 140mm deep studs to a 258mm deep stud, comprising twin timber studs connected by galvanized metal clips.
The system has been in successful use by an ITW member company in Scandinavia and now ITW’s UK-based operation has identified its potential use in the UK to meet higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. And it is also seen as a way for existing roof truss manufacturers to add further value by accessing the timber frame market, and gaining more effectiveness out of their machinery.
ITW Industry’s chief structural engineer Brian Pegram told TTJ that the system provided a different solution to not only the standard 140x38mm timber frame stud, but also newer I-stud and open-web stud products coming onto the market.
“As the building regulations get tighter, timber frame manufacturers will have to look at a wider wall system to satisfy Code level requirements,” he said.
The twin C16-graded flanges are either 38x63mm or 38x89mm, while the metal strip connecting them is either 55m or 80mm deep – creating a stud, ITW says, that is deeper than readily available solid timber to accommodate thicker insulation and reduce thermal bridging. Solid timber end blocks feature at each end of the stud.
“The smaller sizes means you can use home-grown timber. Home-grown strength-graded can be quite limited in terms of the range of sizes available [above 140mm].”
Mr Pegram said SpaceStud only featured three metal clips over a 2.4m wall height, reducing thermal bridging compared to rival open-web [timber flange and metal web] products which are also now making the change from floor applications to walls.
He also said the easy preservative treatment of the standard timbers provided was an advantage over the equally deep I-joist wall systems available and kept the system cost-effective.
ITW is targeting the system, which claims a 20% better racking performance than standard framing, at roof truss and open web floor fabricators as no additional software is required and studs can be assembled on standard truss or floor presses at up to 120m/min.