Tŷ Unnos is a building system designed to use and add value to Wales’ home-grown softwood resource.
Primarily developed as a sustainable, affordable, energy efficient housing system that could be grown, manufactured and built within the local area. Creating jobs in forestry, milling, manufacture, construction, design, engineering and knowledge transfer.
Designed around the unique characteristics of Welsh grown Sitka spruce, the CCW feasibility study proposed a radical departure from standard imported timber frame technology – a system of components that could be manufactured in a factory, bought to site and assembled quickly and efficiently in a day giving a secure water tight structure.
Versatility
The Tŷ Unnos system has proved to be versatile and adaptable with a wide range of buildings constructed. The timber used, the businesses involved and the wide variety of projects can be viewed in the Portfolio including:
- Affordable housing
- Bespoke projects
- Classrooms
- Holiday chalets
- Offices
The Tŷ Unnos structures have used a variety of different products and processes for completion:
- Sub structure – slab, trench, pad and pile foundations
- Structure – Tŷ Unnos components
- Cladding – brick, slate, render, timber cladding, timber shingles
- Roofing – slate, metal, EPDM rubber, timber shingles.
The building projects have been delivered by a number of methods including:
- Self-build
- Manufacturer build
- Contractor build
- Modular build
Quality
Manufacture quality is assured – firstly by type testing followed by a rigorous Factory Production Control system that is audited by a Notified Certification Body – BM TRADA.
Buildability
Offsite manufacture, under a controlled production system to tight tolerances, enables a weather tight secure Tŷ Unnos building to be assembled onsite in a day. A selection of Videos showing the build process can be viewed on the individual project pages in the Portfolio.
Energy efficiency
Post occupancy monitoring and evaluation has provided data which shows that Tŷ Unnos outperform their calculated design performance. Internal and external temperatures and humidity have been logged, fuel and water usage recorded and thermographic images taken. Tŷ Unnos – Evaluating Glan Gors. Tŷ Unnos can meet or exceed current energy efficient requirements under Building Regulations.
Structural warranties
Structural warranties can be provided for Tŷ Unnos projects by LABC, NHBC, or Premier Guarantee.