Housebuilder October 2018
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uild methods<br />
More housebuilders are turning to Taylor Lane Timber Frame for offsite construction, says the company<br />
Continued from page 80<br />
shortages being especially worrisome.” A “no deal” Brexit could also have an impact<br />
on materials supplied into UK housebuilding from within the EU. “The two key areas<br />
for concern are materials and labour availability,” Soulsby comments. “Extended<br />
lead times seem to be the norm for many materials, particularly in the busy periods,<br />
and with the potential of fewer imports this situation could deteriorate,” he warns.<br />
“However many of the builders in the UK are now looking more at modern methods of<br />
construction, with larger numbers of timber frame sites and exploration of new types<br />
of buildings in concrete or steel and modular.”<br />
The cold weather earlier in the year also had an effect on housebuilders working<br />
with cement and concrete. However careful storage, such as Tarmac’s Blue Circle<br />
Cement tear and weather resistant packaging and tubs– as well as advanced<br />
planning – can overcome the difficulties, explains Dr Bill Price, Tarmac Cement’s<br />
national commercial technical manager. “Plan ahead – if newly placed concrete falls<br />
below 0ºC prior to developing enough strength the water in the mix will freeze and<br />
expand resulting in cracked and crumbing concrete. Do not mix or lay the screed<br />
when the air temperature is below 5ºC and keep the mix above 5ºC for 48 hours<br />
after the concrete has been placed – protected with insulation – and keep your<br />
equipment, including the mixer, free from frost.” hb<br />
KEY CONTACTS<br />
Birtley Lintels<br />
British Gypsum<br />
Building Alliance<br />
Catnic<br />
Donaldson Timber Engineering<br />
Egger<br />
H+H<br />
Imperial Bricks<br />
Keystone Group<br />
SIG Insulation<br />
Target Timber<br />
Tarmac<br />
Taylor Lane<br />
www.birtleylintels.co.uk<br />
www.british-gypsum.com<br />
www.masonryonsite.com<br />
www.catnic.com<br />
www.donaldsontimberengineering.co.uk<br />
www.egger.com<br />
www.hhcelcon.co.uk<br />
www.imperialhandmadebricks.co.uk<br />
www.keystonegroup.co.uk<br />
www.sig360.co.uk<br />
www.targettimber.com<br />
www.tarmac-bluecircle.co.uk<br />
www.taylor-lane.co.uk<br />
housebuilder october <strong>2018</strong> 83
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