Saint-Gobain is launching a complete wall system that aims to make offsite construction solutions more accessible to small and regional housebuilders and contractors.
Named EnveoVent, it is the first complete through-the-wall solution from a single manufacturer.
The Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) framework Category 2 panellised system is a fully tested, complete, ventilated and insulated structural wall with a choice of internal and external finishes, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional masonry construction.
The product aims to provide SME housebuilders with more straightforward access to offsite solutions, offering one warranty, one procurement route and one single point of contact, while improving build speed and efficiency.
The solution has been designed for the social housing market, delivering speedier build schedules and warmer homes for residents, beating the thermal performance requirements of the upcoming Future Homes Standard.
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland CEO, Mike Chaldecott, said: “The UK has a target to build 1.5 million homes in five years, however, in 2022-23 there were just 234,400 net additional dwellings built and during the last ten years there have been 177,487 social homes lost in total. To help tackle the housing crisis and increase workforce capacity, we must innovate – and EnveoVent plays a crucial role in this.”
“This is a Saint-Gobain first in the UK. We are incredibly proud to be launching a complete wall solution that has been rigorously tested as a system to deliver the required levels of fire, acoustic and thermal performance. EnveoVent demonstrates our commitment to lightweight construction methods and our clear purpose to make the world a better home.”
In the next 10 years, the proportion of homes built using Modern Methods of Construction is predicted to rise to around 20%. EnveoVent has been piloted by Saint-Gobain and TR Partnership Homes at a Midland Heart housing association development of 12 social homes in Birmingham.
Gemma Davey, Midland Heart senior project manager, said: “There is a shortfall of decent, affordable homes across the UK, with around 60,000 people in our region on a waiting list for a home. Cost of living increases, including exceptionally high energy bills, also make it more important than ever that our homes are not only affordable to rent, but energy efficient and cheaper to run. EnveoVent is helping us meet these challenges.”
Steve Thompson, TR Partnership Homes director, said: “In construction, we need to change our approach to building if we are to meet future demand. We now think completely differently about offsite having seen it in action – it’s changed the way we view projects. Quality control can be tighter and the level of waste on site has more than halved. The increased energy efficiency of the wall means it more readily meets Future Homes Standard targets and wider sustainability goals.”
Comprising a more sustainable, closed-panel timber frame, the solution switches traditional masonry for timber, which has been shown to cut embodied carbon emissions by around 20%. The system also uses mineral wool insulation manufactured from up to 65% recycled glass and carries a U-value of 0.16 to 0.13 W/m2K, depending on wall thickness, which exceeds the 0.18 W/m2K required by the Future Homes Standard in 2025.
Complete fire, thermal and acoustic performance testing has been carried out on the EnveoVent system, alongside fully detailed structural calculations. This meets the requirements of the Building Safety Act 2022 for a golden thread of secure, easily accessible and accurate product information.
Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland CFO, Nick Cammack, said: “Our construction sector is expected to offer complete information about the fully certified products used within a building or system. EnveoVent gives customers a golden thread of confidence, with details on the individual products, testing and accreditations.”
“By working together and combining systems, we have created a fully tested, lightweight complete wall solution, delivered in ‘plot packs’ to optimise delivery programmes. This reduces build times, cuts costs, and brings significant commercial benefits to housebuilders and registered social landlords.”
The solution was first trialled and tested in the eHome2 project, a project built in collaboration between Saint-Gobain and Barratt Developments in the University of Salford’s Energy House 2.0 climatic chamber.
