Corporate sustainability
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Timber Unitized Façade system
Deploying our low-carbon hybrid unitized façades (HUF)
The façade industry has a key role to play in reducing CO2 emissions, given that buildings currently account for 40% of all energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.
We are committed to playing our part. Our innovative Hybrid Unitized Façade (HUF) system exemplifies this commitment by replacing high-carbon materials with low-carbon alternatives like timber. This system can reduce embodied CO2 by up to 65% compared to a standard aluminum unitized façade. For every linear metre of framing required, 65kg of embodied CO2 is saved.
The HUF system features mullions and transoms made of timber, which significantly lowers the carbon footprint and enhances interior aesthetics with a warm, natural look. Fully unitized, the HUF system is ideal for the rapid enclosure of large-scale projects, ensuring superior quality through indoor factory production.
Performance of timber unitized façade system (HUF)
We successfully completed full performance testing in 2023 and will conduct additional tests in 2024 to meet market and building requirements, enabling ongoing system improvements.
A climate chamber test will expose the specimen to accelerated climate changes, confirming long-term facade performance and resilience.
We will also test our new HUF system for fire safety compliance with BS EN 1364-4 to assess fire spread resistance between floors.
Overall, extensive testing ensures the long-term performance of our products under future weather conditions.
| Test | Standard | Classification / Declared value |
| Air Permeability | EN 12152 | AE / 900 Pa |
| Water Tightness | EN 12154 | RE / 1200 Pa |
| Wind resistance | EN 12179 | ±2000 Pa (serviceability)
±3000 Pa (safety) |
| Impact resistance | EN 14019 | Class I4 / E4 |
| Acoustic performance | EN ISO 10140 Part 2
EN ISO 10848 Part 2 |
Rw (C;Ctr) = 40 (-2;-7) dB
Dn,f,w (C;Ctr) = 56 (-1;-4) dB |
| Fire resistance | EN 1364-4 | Upcoming |
Key sustainability benefits of our HUF
Lower embodied carbon
Timber load-bearing frames save 1.3 kg of CO2 stored in every 1 kg of GLULAM wood used instead of aluminium.
Use of recycled materials
Aluminium adaptors are made from recycled aluminum, reducing embodied carbon from 8 kg to 2.3 kg of CO2 per 1 kg of aluminum.
Significant carbon reduction
Up to 65% reduction in embodied carbon for profiles with high levels of recycled material compared to standard unitized aluminum façades.
Improved thermal performance
Timber provides 1,700 times better thermal insulation than aluminum.
Timber is 400 times better than steel, 15 times better than concrete, and superior to brick in thermal performance.
A next-generation sustainable façade
In 2023, a tailored version of our new timber unitized façade system (HUF) was installed in a façade project for the first time, the renovation of the Textiltorget building in Sweden.
Client: Fabege AB
Category: Office and retail building
Façade area: 1400 m2
Place: Stockholm, Sweden
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Explore our timber unitized façade system
For detailed information about our timber unitized façade system (HUF), please reach out to our dedicated sales managers in specific regions: UK, Nordics, Central Europe, and North America. You can find contact details here.
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Projects
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