Now 6 Months into our Forestry Innovation Fund project with soon-to-be-GiB-certifed Scandinavian Timber, “<TIC_22 ”, the necessary and exciting stages of R&D are being checked-off.

Curtain Walling is a modern, flexible façade system that creates unbroken floor to floor glazing which would be impossible with an unsupported window system. These systems are highly valued by architects and designers who are looking to create healthy environments for people to work in and where the importance of light and solar gain can be used to the buildings and occupiers’ advantage. The system can be specified to meet Passivhaus standards.

The project aims to create the first GiB, high end, curtain walling for construction, replacing imported timbers and aluminium with GiB certified hardwood (Sweet chestnut, ash, oak and Brimstone). Positioning the UK as innovators of a low carbon, sought after construction method, this project brings UK hardwoods into our cityscapes and public places in a visible, modern and impactful way.

The timber curtain walling being designed will utilise GiB timber to deliver the following benefits:

• Improved carbon footprint of GiB timber over imported timber.
• Material sourcing from sustainably managed UK forests.
• Low wastage (2%), high strength giving the end consumer an environmentally responsible and cost effective solution.
• Add value to homegrown timber and build confidence in homegrown hardwoods for clients, architects and construction
• Displace unsustainable aluminium

BREEAM tests this November to evaluate the flexural performance, showed all sections of curtain walling pass with flying colours, with ash outperforming all other timbers and further tests in Feb ‘23 will take this to the next stage.

Sweet chestnut is also performing well; machining beautifully, offering an attractive price point and natural durability for clients wanting a homegrown solution. This test results powerfully demonstrate the potential there is in our homegrown timber supplies, along with the importance of investigative Research and Development, like this project, to bring this to the attention of specifiers and construction companies.