Developer creates energy efficient home using Fortex Shiplap Cladding

House developer Vic Drake chose Fortex Shiplap Cladding to enhance insulation.

One of the main aims of the project was to construct a highly energy efficient home and the need to include substantial insulation as part of the design was paramount. With other older properties in the area featuring external weatherboard cladding Vic looked at different cladding systems in order to create a sealed envelope to enhance the 200mm insulation of the SIP construction building.

PVC Cladding chosen for sustainability

Following a detailed investigation into a variety of systems including wood, cement composite and PVC comparing insulation properties, manufacturing processes, cost, long term maintenance issues and finishes Vic chose the Freefoam Fortex product.

Vic explained:

Although we like the finish of wood and most is now sustainably sourced we found it was heavy to transport, needs on-going maintenance and can lose its insulation properties over time. Cement composite cladding was another option and although it is very durable, and holds its colour well, again it is very heavy, isn’t eco-friendly to manufacture, cannot easily be recycled, and is not as easy to fit as Fortex weatherboard which, advantageously, comes in 5m lengths.

We found that the Freefoam Fortex range was the best option for us. We liked the commitment Freefoam has shown to Environmental Management with the ISO14001 certification, the long term durability of the product, the fact that it is very easy, fast and light to fix and there is no on-going maintenance.
 

Our planning department were also very happy with the embossed wood effect finish that is aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with other local traditional properties.