Material Selection
New homes use hundreds of components and a wide selection of materials. In sourcing these products we construct mutually advantageous relationships with our suppliers and contractors.
We aim to drive improvements through our supply chain which benefit our customers. We incorporate measures at the design stage to improve the ‘life-cycle’ environmental performance of our homes and all materials used are evaluated against cost, quality, availability and sustainability benchmarks.
Using modern methods of construction we undertake focused design and consultation with our contractors and designers allowing the finer details of the development to be resolved at an early stage. This allows efficiencies to be built in and no time is wasted. We continue to evaluate new products and regularly assess building processes and environmental considerations in order to maximise quality, design and value for money. Timber has both production and environmental attributes, insofar as it is completely recyclable, a good insulator, grows naturally and is capable of reducing production times, thereby contributing to efficiency gains.
In North Tyneside rather than using a traditional building block, we have been trialling a new cellular clay block building system with enhanced environmental benefits. The new Porotherm block can significantly improve the time it takes to build a home. Its design and characteristics mean that, rather than using mortar, a thin joint system is used and as a result water usage onsite falls by around 95%.
Porotherm also provides a cleaner working environment which is an additional benefit, making the building site a safer place to work. The blocks are fired at reduced temperatures compared to traditional concrete building blocks and consequently emit less harmful CO2. In addition, each block is constituted from 20% recycled materials such as saw dust, paper or minerals.
The characteristics of Porotherm give it an exceptionally good thermal mass. It protects against the cold in winter and ensures a comfortable room in the summer. In addition, the low moisture retention and fast drying properties optimise thermal protection, whilst gradual release of stored passive solar energy reduces heating costs.
In the event of fire Porotherm does not burn, emit smoke or harmful gasses. A wall just 100mm thick achieves a Class A1 fire rating, giving occupants plenty of time to exit in safety in the event of a fire. Porotherm offer excellent sound protection both from outside noise and between rooms and the product is also rot and insect proof.