Timber cladding helps regenerate Maidstone flats

To help regenerate the Parkwood Estate in Maidstone, Kent, turning it into one of the most sustainable developments in the county Kier Construction has used Thermowood cladding from John Brash & Company.The two phase regeneration project, started in 2006 and managed by the Maidstone Housing Trust, will see the initial regeneration of 122 housing association properties and the construction of a further 42 affordable homes, before the end of 2008.

Over 11,000 linear metres of cladding was specified for the project and was used on all external aspects of the new and regenerated buildings to help meet the requirements of EcoHomes. As work started on the development, the properties had to meet EcoHomes ‘Very Good’ rating, which approximately equates to a three star rating on the Code for Sustainable Homes.

On this project, Thermowood cladding was able to improve the sustainability because timber cladding is a good natural insulator, with a typical thermal conductivity of 0.1067 W/mK. Being lightweight also enabled savings on the foundations and masonry-based materials on the new build properties, all of which have high embodied energy contents.

Timber itself has low embodied energy, meaning that harvesting and production has minimal impact on the environment. Timber is also the only truly renewable natural resource being sourced from certified sustainable forests.

Another benefit of Thermowood is that it boast fine aesthetics with the ability to retain its original appearance for years. In addition to this, a specialist heat treatment process ensures it maintains high durability, stability and a lengthy service life

The £18m project aims to encourage diversity and provide a better quality of life for people being reintroduced to the area. Some twenty-two families have moved into their new homes on the Parkwood Estate, with a further 60 due to move in before the end of the year.

John Brash and Company is a specialist timber importer and a UK leading manufacturer of timber cladding. The company also specialises in the supply of roofing battens and scaffold boards, cedar shingles and cedar shakes and anti-slip timber decking.

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