Accoya supports Scottish sustainable contemporary renovation

Accoya, the world-leading modified wood manufactured by Accsys Technologies, has been used in the refurbishment of a sustainably re-modernised family home in Scotland.

Originally a 1930’s bungalow, the Edinburgh property was given a new lease of life after being extended using carbon friendly materials including Accoya.

Owner Dr Robert Hairstans, Head of Napier University’s Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures (COCIS), chose Accoya to clad the exterior of his family home and to provide the external support beams of a cantilevered glazed kitchen extension.

Created using Accsys’ propriety acetylation process Accoya is one of the most advanced modified wood products on the market and delivers outstanding levels of performance, stability and durability.

Tasked with sourcing low carbon materials for the build, Dr Hairstan’s appointed architect David Blaikie, who opted to use Accoya which is 100% non-toxic and Cradle to Cradle Gold certified. Mr Blaikie cited its BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating as a key factor for the build.

To eliminate the need for expensive new foundations underneath the extension, Accoya was used to cantilever the space. Structural Accoya sections were re-engineered to form the beams from glue-laminated timber for enhanced strength, stiffness and durability. The beams were placed underneath the suspended floor of the cantilevered glass box extension.

Installed by MAKAR Construction, the Accoya sections were used to support an open plan kitchen and diner extension with insulated zinc clad roof. The extension faces south west in order to gather natural light and generate solar energy.

The movement of the Accoya beams was initially measured for any noticeable change due to the installation of glazing and later for further changes over time. The final maximum movement after 6 months was 3mm, which is less than half of the allowable 7.15mm deflections prescribed by the Scottish codes of building practice.

The build has also doubled as an applied research project which undergraduate and postgraduate students have participated in via Edinburgh Napier University’s Institute for Sustainable Construction and COCIS.

Architect David Blaikie said: “Through testing, we have recorded fractional movement of the Accoya foundations highlighting their robustness and suitability to support such a large structure. Accoya’s unique properties, including excellent dimensional stability, helped achieve this through preventing shrinking and swelling. The level of build quality, architectural improvements and low carbon credentials achieved through using Accoya represent an extremely high level of cost benefit.”

Able to cope with the harshest weather conditions, Accoya is proven to be a sustainable, durable, and stable material, which is guaranteed against rot and decay for 50 years when used above ground and 25 years below ground.

Laura Ladd, head of marketing for Accsys Technologies said: “The varied use of Accoya throughout the property in Edinburgh is testament to the product’s performance and appeal. The Accoya support beams beneath the bungalow have undergone extensive testing, and have outperformed many other traditional foundations. With its impressive durability and low maintenance requirements, Accoya makes the ideal construction material for dual applications such as this.”

Made from FSC certified wood from legal, manageable and sustainable forests, Accoya is an attractive wood product which is perfect for a variety of uses from windows and doors to external cladding, structural projects and decking.

Accoya is available to purchase throughout the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.