Two leading national housebuilders have specified fast track build block work system, Thin Joint, for house building projects across the UK.

Liverpool-based Thinjoint Technology has supported the specifications through supply of materials and design works, working closely with architects and project manager’s at all three schemes.

Thin Joint blockwork offers a tried and tested solution to the traditional UK bricklaying approach. The preferred method of construction across the continent, Thin Joint blockwork offers extensive time, cost and labour savings on site. Using aircrete blocks that require a 2mm bed of mortar only, the highly insulated bonding creates an airtight block system that is considered one of the Governments ‘Modern Methods of Construction’. Thin Joint is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of the system and is seeing interest gather a speedy momentum in the wake of pending changes to building regulations.

Leading social housing provider, Lovell, has chosen thin joint for a new-build housing development in Lowestoft where 29 homes are set to be built for housing association, Orbit 2020. Thin Joint Technology has supplied all blocks and mortar to support the fast track build programme and to enhance insulation value of the walls.

As part of the programme, Thin Joint delivered a material schedule for Lovell including drawings and scheduling quantities of block, Thinset mortar, cavity wall ties, party wall ties and all ancillary fixings including a unique blockwork movement control system. All materials are identified and marked on drawings to help the site team who may not be used to working the thin joint system.

Countryside Properties has also opted for Thin Joint at a new build housing scheme in Cambridge where two show houses are currently under construction at a site in Great Kneighton. The show houses are the first houses of a 286 dwelling development which in turn is the first phase of a 2000 house build on the site near the new Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge.

Countryside began discussions surrounding their specification with Thinjoint Technology when considering using thin joint blockwork at the scheme. Thinjoint Technology has since supported the site and design team in maximising the benefits of the system as well as supplying blocks and mortar.

Chris Hirst of Thinjoint Technology said: “It’s fantastic to see leading housebuilders opt for thin joint. The UK housebuilding industry has been slow to capitalise on the benefits offered by choosing thin joint, a system that is the preferred choice of brickwork across many parts of Europe.

“Time, labour and material savings are significant when compared with traditional systems. This, coupled with improved thermal and insulation values, makes thin joint the right choice for a housebuilding industry that is being forced to change its approach as new building regs make their impact felt.”