Raising the standard of new home building

More specifiers and developers are turning to MMC Category 2 timber frame to build high-quality, high-performance homes quickly. One of the key criteria for specification and procurement is proven performance, which prompted Taylor Lane Timber Frame to achieve the NHBC Accepts initiative certification, as Sales and Marketing Director Blane Pannell explains. 

There are numerous certificates which qualify performance claims and offer assurance. Some timber frame operations are ISO 9001 certified, for example, which demonstrates a company’s capability to consistently produce high-quality products that meet the regulatory requirements.  

Taylor Lane has long held the ISO 9001 certificate and while we understand its value in the specification and procurement process, it is less meaningful to homeowners. With more new homes built using timber frame construction, we wanted to pursue an accreditation which assures both client and homeowner and promotes confidence in modern methods of construction. For this, we turned to the UK’s leading provider of warranty and insurance for newbuild homes, the National House Building Council (NHBC). 

NHBC Accepts innovative systems 

Taylor Lane is one of just a handful of timber frame companies in the UK to achieve NHBC Accepts.  

This initiative has been designed to keep pace with changes in UK home building as builders and developers seek to increase volume and overcome material and labour challenges by adopting modern methods of construction.  

NHBC has worked with manufacturers to provide specifiers and other stakeholders with the confidence that innovative systems can meet the same high standards of quality and durability as traditionally-built homes. 

NHBC Accepts status is awarded following a successful and rigorous assessment during which NHBC considers if the system in question meets its robust standards. Once confirmed, the manufacturer is then permitted to use the NHBC Accepts logo in the promotion of the Accepted systems, subject to an annual review. 

Both Taylor Lane’s Ultimate and Advanced closed panels are now approved NHBC Accepts systems. Each is deemed to meet the stringent requirements of NHBC and is approved for use in the construction of new homes with NHBC warranty and insurance. 

The Ultimate wall system offers the very best in future-proofed timber frame technology. This closed panel reduces cold bridging and offers enhanced thermal performance and air tightness. With additional factory-fitted insulation it can achieve a U-value of 0.12 to 0.15 W/M2K based on an external masonry finish. 

The Advanced closed panel is also categorised as MMC Category 2. With 80 or 100mm factory-fitted stud insulation it can achieve a U-value of 0.17 and 0.18 W/M2K based on an external masonry finish. 

All Taylor Lane’s timber frame wall systems are precision-engineered and designed to meet specific requirements and targets, including build time, fabric performance and cost.  

The NHBC Accepts experience 

To attain NHBC Accepts, both Taylor Lane’s off-site and on-site protocols, from design through to installation, were assessed during factory and site visits. Photographic data was recorded throughout.  

Off-site, the design process was scrutinised. This included a review of the standard details, engineer calculations for the panel connections, U-Values and Condensation Risk Analysis. A system manual was also produced for both panel systems. 

On-site, the primary function of NHBC Accepts is quality control for the client and assurance for the homeowners. To achieve this, Taylor Lane’s quality control processes were assessed, including all documentation produced by the contracts department, as well as on-site auditing and handover procedures. Again, these assessments will continue on an annual basis.  

By using NHBC accepted innovative systems, homebuilders and specifiers can build new homes to the highest standards, fast, saving time and money. Once complete, the NHBC Accepts initiative offers long-term assurance to homeowners and asset protection for Registered Providers.  

www.taylor-lane.co.uk