A NEW UNIQUE PANEL FOR A NEW ERA

In addition to it’s traditional open panel Timber Frame construction, Target Timber Systems is offering a unique pre-insulated panel building system, fully insulated external walls with the option of factory fixed double glazed windows.
 
After months of discussions with House Builders, Property Developers and Architects to establish what they want from us as a Timber Frame manufacturer, one message came through loud and clear “WE NEED A SEMI CLOSED, WATER TIGHT PANEL WITH A SERVICES VOID”. With this message still ringing in our ears we went away and developed our TIP (Target Insulated Panel system) and the TIP Plus. As with all think tanks we came up with a number of complicated solutions but as always the simple solution proved to be the best !
 
The TIP system is made up of 140mm CLS studs generally at 600mm c/c with factory fixed 75mm rigid insulation plus a factory fitted breather membrane, this gives a typical “U” value of 0.31 (the current “U” value requirement is a maximum of 0.35). The TIP Plus has a factory fixed reflective breather membrane replacing the standard breather membrane and gives a typical “U” value of 0.26. If this is not good enough, by increasing the insulation from 75mm to 90mm, you can expect “U” values in the region of 0.27 for the standard TIP and 0.24 for the Plus system.
 
Both systems have the option of factory fitted double glazed timber windows. The windows are rebated to accept a window fixing flange which is bonded and screwed to the pe formed opening in the panel.
 
The reason we went for rigid insulation and not fibrous insulation was the last part of the puzzle ! To achieve similar “U” values with fibrous insulation, we would have to fully fill the panel with insulation and not provide a void for services. In addition, fibrous insulation is less practical to factory fix in semi closed panels and highly vulnerable to damage & deteroration if it gets too wet. A 75mm rigid insulation gives a 65mm services void, it can be factory fixed and is water resistant ! ALL THE BOXES TICKED.
 
WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN DONE BEFORE?
 
It has! But under a different format and not as one package. Twenty years ago it was common practice to factory fix windows in Timber Frame panels but there were two main problems.
1)  The common stud size was 38mm x 89mm, using the flange detail previously described this gave an internal cill depth of only 110mm + nosing which was not acceptable.
2)   To overcome this the windows were fixed on ply cheeks but this caused transport problems and the idea was eventauly dropped. The TIP System uses 140mm studs, the internal cill depth is 162mm + nosing and the affect on transport is minimal.
 
There are closed panel systems available but they are mostly fully filled with insulation so you do not have a services void in the panel. The services void is often created by using battens and plasterboard, a costly and time consuming exercise that reduces valuable habitable floor space. The TIP System addresses these problems as the overal thickness of the panel is comparable with traditional Timber Frame and still has the integral services void. “