Insulation
Insulating the various components of the timberframe building's fabric (walls, windows, floors, ceilings and roof) is the single most important step to reducing heat loss from the house, which ultimately drags down its overall Building Energy Rating (BER).
At Kilbroney Timberframe we use various types of environmentally friendly insulation materials such as thermo hemp, mineral fibre and thermal rigid PIR insulation board to reduce the heat flow through walls and roofs, as well as using doors and windows carefully selected for their insulating performance.
In order to achieve our A3 BER ratings, we use differing insulation methods for various parts of the building. In order to achieve values of less than 0.20 W/m²K we insulate the timber studs in the timberframe walls with either an internal insulated mineral fibre lining or an external insulated sheathing board in the traditional cavity.
For sloped roofs we employ "Warm Roof" construction techniques which involve insulating above and between the timbers in the roof, reducing the risk of condensation and thermal stress. To meet the desired U-levels at ceiling level we place a layer of insulation below the ceiling joists to insulate the spacing between them, already insulated with mineral fibre. This doesn't reduce the storage space above the joists, which is often reduced by adding an additional insulation layer above the joists.
Airtightness
While efficient thermal insulation is undoubtedly one of the key elements in preventing heat loss within a home, problem areas often exist at the junctions where surfaces such as walls, roofs, windows and doors join. In order to achieve the 
A3 BER ratings for our timberframe houses, our team at Kilbroney Timberframe have to ensure that all such joints are airtight to prevent even the slightest draughts. Airtightness is accomplished by ensuring that all joints and critical joints are adequately sealed to prevent air and vapour permeating between the insulated layers, which as well as energy loss can lead to problems such as condensation and damp mould.
At Kilbroney Timberframe we use industry-leading airproofing adhesives from Intello and Solitex to seal even the tiniest leaks and defects in the building structrure, which facilitate heat loss and can compromise your energy rating. Although with the joints taped the building is effectively airtight, the Intello intelligent vapour control layer still allows the building to "breathe" in a controlled manner.
The airtightness of the building is measured by creating a partial vacuum within the house, and then measuring any intake of air through joints or potential gaps, commonly felt as a cool draught. While the overall building energy rating is determined by a BER-approved assessor when the house is complete, our team will test for airtight junctions throughout the timberframe construction phase to ensure that any problems are addressed as early as possible.
Passive House Design
A passive house is one which is so energy-efficient that it does not require a conventional heating system to provide heating within the building, relying instead of a combination of green energy sources and high levels of insulation and airtight sealing to reduce heat loss. A passive house typically consumes up to 90% less energy than a house built to the minimum requirements for building regulations.
Passive home design concentrates on the following key areas to achieve high levels of insulation and cheap energy:
High levels of insulation within walls, floors, ceiling and roofs- Airtight seals at all critical junctions to prevent heat loss
- Advanced glazing technology to ensure heat gain exceeds heat loss
- Use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels
At Kilbroney Timberframe we have undertaken several passive home designs, with examples listed in our timberframe home project portfolio, most recently a passive home in Katesbridge, near Rathfriland in County Down.
