Shropshire timber frame manufacturer Lowfield Timber Frames (LTF) has branched out into structural insulated panels (SIPs) in a new partnership with Kingspan.
LTF, based in Marton near Welshpool, hopes the move will create 15 new jobs in the next 12-24 months.
LTF has been awarded system supplier status by Kingspan to design, engineer and process the lat-ter’s TEK SIPs panels. Raw panels will be purchased direct from Kingspan TEK and manufactured into structural kits ready for delivery and site construction, through a network of approved installers or registered contractors.
Former Palgrave Brown SIPs system national product manager Garry Dyke has been recruited to manage the new business.
“Over the next year it will become even more apparent that focusing on the building fabric and levels of air tightness first, our basic principles at LTF, will help reduce the costs required in achieving the requirements of the Code for Sustainable Homes,” said LTF managing director Mark Phillips.
“Combine SIPs with a simple and efficient mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system and the amounts of other ‘Eco Bling’ products required will be dramatically reduced.”
Mr Phillips said the system was expected to cost around 10-15% more than non-SIP alternatives, but he stressed that performance benefits were dramatically higher.
LTF will also develop hybrid systems over the coming months.
