With its new EnveoVent through-the-wall system, Saint-Gobain is championing Modern Methods of Construction for smaller contractors
The viability of off-site solutions, especially for the more compact projects, has been debated for many years. In recent times, however, with advances in the systems – together with contractors recognising the speed, efficiency and factory-controlled precision of the components – more progress has been made.
That shift in mindset is being played out against the backdrop of a housing crisis that has risen to near the top of the political agenda. Put simply, we desperately need more houses and, if we’re going to get anywhere near the projected targets, we need to do it quickly– without compromising on quality. If you wanted a manufacturer to help achieve all of the above then Saint-Gobain would be a very good place to start. The brands that fall under this global building materials giant’s corporate umbrella can deliver virtually everything you need to construct a new build and do it with solutions that are already trusted by the industry. That’s a reality that has come to fruition in a new system that represents an industry first.
“The avowed Saint-Gobain vision is ‘Making the World a Better Home’,” explains the company’s head of public sector off-site solutions, William Frost, “and that’s the principle behind EnveoVent. Because we’re already leaders in lightweight construction we can relieve some of the pain points for contractors, especially SMEs and regional housebuilders, by providing one system from a single manufacturer.”
When it comes to completions, the last time we actually delivered on the kind of new build numbers currently touted was in the 1960s so it’s clear something has to change. It’s here that Saint-Gobain has utilised its established brands and expertise to introduce a through-the-wall system: “We’ve combined our British Gypsum, Isover, Okarno, Scotframe and Weber solutions into a Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) framework Category 2 panellised solution,” continues William. “As a result, EnveoVent delivers on performance, speed of build and quality.”
Built for future homes
At the same time the flexibility inherent in the EnveoVent concept means housebuilders can differentiate their properties with a choice of either a Weber render or weberwall brick slip finish on the exterior, with further choices to be made in the interior. Crucially, the contractor has one point of contact for the entire fabric of the build, with support from Saint-Gobain throughout, whether that’s in design or engineering. An installation support team can be made available and there’s a complete performance warranty. In addition, because EnveoVent can be purchased via a single transaction through Saint-Gobain Off-Site Solutions, the procurement process is radically simplified.
Clearly, speed makes this an attractive proposition. Although completion times are dependent on the house type, the fabric of a pair of semi-detached properties, including floor cassettes, walls and roof trusses can be erected in as little as six days to make a weatherproof shell.
Added to that is the elimination of individual installation errors that can occur with multiple trades following on from each other to complete the different stages of a traditional build.
If our legislators’ housebuilding ambitions are to be realised it is, of course, going to take more than just speed. We will also need a much wider pool of providers, which includes SMEs. William Frost believes that this is very much a solution for the regional housebuilder or even custom build contractors: “We’ve developed this system so that Saint-Gobain technologies are available to as broad a demographic as possible, right down to self-build projects with a single house.”
Efficiency of build is equally complemented by impressive sustainability credentials, as William reveals: “The Future Homes Standard demands a 0.18 W/m2K U-value on the wall fabric, whilst the mineral wool insulation construction of the Saint-Gobain EnveoVent system delivers U-values between 0.16 – 0.13 W/m2K, depending on the wall type and thickness. That’s joined by complete fire, acoustic and impact testing. Moreover, with everything included for the build in a plot pack, waste is kept to a minimum and the number of site deliveries can be reduced.
“Although we have gained some momentum in MMC, the benefits of off site solutions are still misunderstood,” concludes William. “Once that’s overcome, I can see it becoming the normal practice. The reduction in build schedules, combined with enhanced sustainability and performance levels really can’t be matched. We want to work with builders to ensure what is delivered is exactly what’s needed and provide a sense of security for the future.”
For more information on EnveoVent visit EnveoVent | Saint-Gobain.
