System technology of QMetters
System technology of QMetters is based on heavy framework made of KVH structural timber. As a result, the building is only slightly lighter than its brick equivalent.
The structure is filled in with mineral wool, which functions as a thermal and acoustic insulation. Then, partitions are closed on both sides by OSB-3 board, and by plasterboard on internal side.
Depending on the kind of a building part (an external wall, a partition wall, a floor, a roof) additional materials can be distinguished such as: vapour barrier film, vapour-permeable foil, an additional external and internal thermal insulation.
All components are prefabricated in a production hall where the temperature remains constant. As a result, they are not so prone to changeable atmospheric phenomena, as opposed to houses constructed with Canadian technology.
Prefabricated products are characterized by great precision and high quality of workmanship, which influence considerably on time of building assembly and its quality.
Before building assembly, all elements are properly checked in production hall.
Assembly to shell stage takes about 2 days, and about 10 days to developer stage, depending on building’s kind and size as well as its standard.
Why KVH prefabrication?
First of all, buildings made in system technology do not differ from their brick equivalents as far as external elevation is concerned.
Useful life and durability of QMetters buildings are defined at about 100 years, the same as brick-built buildings.
However, many buildings of both technologies last out much longer.
For comparison, durability of Canadian technology buildings is estimated at only 50 years.
Due to application of KVH and fire-resistant materials, buildings based on heavy framework are characterized by fire resistance on such high level as brick buildings.
But, the element distinguishing prefabricated construction from other technologies is lead time of the investment, which is considerably shorter than in other building systems.
The key element distinguishing prefabricated building industry of KVH structure from traditional one is heat energy demand necessary to heat the building and domestic water.
In comparison with brick buildings, houses of KVH structure consume up to 70 % less energy.
It’s worth saying that in system technology of QMetters in order to gain proper heat transfer coefficient it is enough to use partitions walls about 50 % thinner than their brick technology equivalents.
Buildings of KVH system structure weigh considerably more than those made in Canadian technology, and only slightly less than brick buildings.
The last important argument in favour of prefabrication based on KVH is limitation of heat leakage bridges, which have influence on energy-efficiency of a building.