BASF low energy house uses PU-based panels

Cheadle Hulme, UK - BASF is building a new, energy-efficient, affordable house in the UK. This building forms part of the Creative Energy Homes Project at the University of Nottingham's School of the Built Environment. Above the ground floor level, the house will use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). These panels combine high-performance Elastopor H polyurethane foam insulation, from BASF's subsidiary Elastogran, with oriented strand board (OSB) to produce a predictable, resource efficient and cost-effective building product. Elastopor H has extremely low thermal conductivity. BASF says the SIPs will be prefabricated off-site using product from SIP Building Systems Ltd. SIPs will also be used in the roof construction. This not only avoids the need for a separate roof structure, but also ensured consistent air tightness and high thermal resistance in the building superstructure, said BASF. The ground floor walls use Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) for a "cost-effective and quick construction material with high insulating properties," said BASF. These lightweight Neopor (polystyrene) moulded blocks are assembled to create the shape of the building and the core is then filled with concrete. A durable, waterproof cladding for the first floor and roof will be provided by Colorcoat HPS200 steel from Corus. When used in conjunction with Confidex Sustain this provides the world's first 'cradle to grave' CarbonNeutral building envelope, BASF said. BASF is showcasing the many products of its construction chemicals division in the low-energy project. See more on this project at www.house.basf.co.ukPIC: BASF launched a program for simple assessment of energy losses from buildings last year. "