“Is it wood?” was just one of the questions asked by curious visitors attracted by the distinctive blue coloured joists of new company Intelligent Wood Systems.
The answer, of course is, yes and IWS’ flooring system has been launched by former connector boss Doug Cullen as a solid wood alternative to rival the I-joist and open web systems on the market.
IWS has developed its own grading system – IWS-2/IWS-4/IWS-6 – for the product, which comes in two widths – 38/45mm – and two depths – 220/245mm – and features nailplates around pre-machined joist service holes. IWS said the nailplate application means there is no reduction of joist performance through service hole cutting.
Mr Cullen said timber used in the system shares the same treatment profile as Ultrajoist produced by Glenalmond Timber, a key partner in IWS, although using different wood fibre supply.
Super-dried to a moisture content of 12% and treated with an Arch low-pressure preservative treatment, IWS-Ultra timbers are designed to stay dimensionally stable and are available up to 12m in length due to finger-jointing.
IWS’ Glenrothes factory features Hundegger saws which can process joints on the timber to allow the joists to be top-hung if necessary, giving the system the same ability as open-web floors.
“We’re looking to create partnerships with timber frame manufacturers,” said Mr Cullen. “We want to give them something to differentiate themselves from the run-of-the-mill product.”
IWS will also be speaking to housebuilders and sees great potential in floor cassette applications, with expansion into wall and roof systems an area for future development.
It intends to compete by promoting system advantages rather than by price. Mr Cullen said the system would be a higher price than I-joists but probably a bit less than open-web products.
The first orders have already been taken.
