Leading manufacturer and supplier of engineered timber products Pasquill is committed to promoting modern methods of construction through R&D, design and manufacturing excellence.
It has an unrivalled network of sites throughout the UK, providing nationwide coverage coupled with local knowledge and service.
The company’s product portfolio includes a wide range of engineered timber products, from trussed rafters, floor cassettes and spandrel panels to panelised roofs, I-Joists and Posi-Joists, offering customers a wealth of solutions to give maximum performance and efficiency.
Engineered timber has grown in popularity over recent years, helping to drive the delivery of more innovative and highly sustainable solutions that will help construction industry professionals meet regulations as they work towards zero carbon targets. With steel prices set to increase by 66% this year, timber’s use as a structural building material is expected to rise further through the use of products such as Glulam.
Glulam is manufactured by gluing together layers of parallel timber laminates. The laminating process gives it greater strength and rigidity than solid constructional timber of equivalent dimensions and a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel. As a result, it is well suited to long span, load-bearing structures and performs well in structural applications.
In terms of sustainability, it has a significantly lower carbon footprint in comparison with steel and concrete, which take a lot of energy to produce. In the UK it is predominantly manufactured from European Whitewood and is sourced from well managed forests certified to PEFC, with FSC product available to order. As it is manufactured from thin layers of wood it also helps to minimise wastage and, in situ, offers better insulation properties than many other forms of building material.
With predictable resistance to fire compared to steel, Glulam is ideal for a wide range of applications, from schools and churches to supermarkets and commercial units. Whereas steel will melt, buckle and collapse under great heat, wood burns more slowly. Timber chars at a known rate of 40mm per hour for European Whitewood and a Glulam beam will behave as a single unit when exposed to fire, due to the resistance of laminating adhesives to fire temperatures, giving a higher performance in fire.
The finish of Glulam also makes it ideal for applications where visual appearance is important and the versatility it offers allows significant freedom in terms of design, providing structural integrity as well as beauty. Its warmth is a far cry from the coldness of steel and, when left exposed, Glulam can create a dramatic focal point.
Earlier this year at Ecobuild, Pasquill took the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Glulam with a stunning curved structure. It featured a form of hyperbolic paraboloid, with two curved Glulam beams opposite each other with one inverted; to create an undulating roof form. The spectacular structure proved a popular attraction at the exhibition highlighting the numerous design possibilities of engineered timber.
Stuart McKill, managing director of Pasquill, comments: “Our Glulam structure at Ecobuild was designed to inspire visitors and educate them about the qualities of engineered timber as a sustainable building material. It helped to demonstrate the aesthetic properties of Glulam – its warmth and design qualities were immediately apparent and the instant reaction of many visitors was to touch the timber and feel the finish, taking in its natural values and beauty. However, many people were surprised to learn that this beauty is matched by an inherent strength and structural integrity.
“Glulam provides unlimited opportunities to create beautiful and durable structures and its versatility means it can be used for roof and floor beams, rafters, decking and much more. In addition, at around one sixth the weight of an equivalent sized reinforced concrete beam or approximately two thirds the weight of steel, it is easy to handle, transport and assemble. When you add all these benefits up it is easy to see why it is growing in popularity as a structural building material.”
Pasquill’s nationwide network includes 14 manufacturing sites matched with 21 design locations, enabling customers throughout the UK to tap into its extensive knowledge, resources and expertise. The company also offers an online facility where architects and builders can upload drawings to their website to obtain product specification advice. For further information visit www.pasquill.co.uk or call 0800 169 1113.
