Wood - insulation and building regulations

[Nickndrachael]

Are there any building regulations regarding insulation for buildings made out of wood (i.e. chalets)?

Do they need to have insulation layers, or is wood such a good insulator that they don't need it? (or should I not believe everything my builders tell me...?)

[BJSLIV]

Is this a "proper house", "holiday chalet" or for storage?

[Caterham7]

>Do they need to have insulation
>layers, or is wood such
>a good insulator that they
>don't need it? (or should
>I not believe everything my
>builders tell me...?)

To give you an idea of approximate thermal properties;
Softwood thermal co-efficient 0.13
Hardwood 0.18
Expanded polystyrene 0.04
Polyurethane insulation 0.025

Current UK u value required for ext walls 0.35
Thickness of materials required to achieve this (approx)
Softwood 370mm
Hardwood 514mm
Polystyrene 114mm
Polyurethane 71mm

Unless the house is made of BIG logs I suggest some insulation may be in order !
Regards Tony

[Idealfrance]

>Are there any building regulations regarding
>insulation for buildings made out
>of wood (i.e. chalets)?
>
>Do they need to have insulation
>layers, or is wood such
>a good insulator that they
>don't need it? (or should
>I not believe everything my
>builders tell me...?)

Hello.

It really depends on the type of construction of your wooden house. Is it ossature (wooden framework), madrier (solid wood walls) or rondin (logs)?

Normally with rondin and madrier you don't need any extra insulation. You *can* insulate them, but be aware that you won't be eligable for any of the subsidies that are currently on offer. Some madriers and rondins are "pre-insulated" too with a kind of sandwich technique.

If your house is ossature, then you insulate it in the same way as any other house. The norms and regs are the same.

One of our architects is specialised in wood construction. If you want any information straight from the horses mouth (don't tell her I said that ) the just drop me a line.

All the best.

Ben Symons
www.idealfrance.com