2007 Press Releases from Wolf Systems

28/10/2007 - For a complete roof, floor and wall solution – choose Wolf!
Wolf Systems, Stand 05-H127/J130, Interbuild, NEC,
28 October – 1 November 2007

Interbuild sees the coming together of innovations from Wolf Systems to complete the “solutions” package for the roof, floor and wall timber engineering markets. Partnering a network of licensed trussed rafter, roof panel, metal web floor and timber frame manufacturers throughout the UK and Ireland, Wolf is expert in providing design, engineering and manufacturing solutions for housebuilders.

Wolf Systems at Interbuild 2007Trussed rafters form Wolf Systems’ core business; the company enjoys a reputation as the leading provider of software solutions. This reputation will increase with the launch, at Interbuild, of the new Wolf Management System software, a system which will give timber engineering manufacturers the tools to run all aspects of their business – from design through to CRM, reporting and analysis along with production and delivery control. WMS integrates all Wolf’s market-leading software applications including truss, easi-joist, smartroof and Keybuild Timber Frame software applications Live demonstrations will run throughout the show.

Wolf Systems’ easi-joist metal web floor system was designed for engineered floor applications and boasts quality performance, ease of use and design versatility. The open web system ensures there is no need to notch or drill for services. Easi-joist is the only metal web floor system to have gained Robust Detail Approval, Irish Agrément Board Certification and European Technical Approval.

Wolf’s smartroof panel system is an innovation in roof construction; it simply slots together. Smartroof is a pre-fabricated, pre-insulated set of panels which targets housebuilders tasked with creating high-density dwellings for both private and social housing. Smartroof also answers all the questions of sustainability, Health and Safety and air-tightness and more than covers the higher requirements for increased insulation. Smartroof is regularly specified by a number of prestigious housebuilders in the UK.

Interbuild will also showcase the full portfolio of truss, timber frame and metal web floor machinery, which is the largest, most reliable and most comprehensive in the industry. The recent addition of timber frame manufacturing equipment has led to very new developments in spandrel panel, smartroof, floor cassette and joist pressing machinery.

09/08/2007 - smartroof® gains the BM TRADA Q-Mark product certification
smartroof® gains the BM TRADA Q-Mark product certification
A welcome addition to BM TRADA’s Q-Mark product certification portfolio is the novel smartroof® system from Wolf Systems. Covering quality control and strength properties, the certificate also examines manufacture, inspection, handling, storage and transportation.

Representing a collaboration between timber systems specialist, Wolf Systems and timber engineering manufacturer, Wyckham Blackwell, smartroof® represents a major advancement for the off-site sector. The technology brings a new dimension to roof construction and the room-in-the-roof phenomenon. This patented and innovative panel system simply slots together and, uniquely, spans from gable end to gable end; it comprises smartroof® panels and smartroof® spandrel panels.

A complete, eco-friendly structural timber insulated panel system, smartroof® creates not only instant room space, but also more of it. David Leaney, Wolf’s Managing Director comments, “We are delighted with this award; the technology has been independently tested and specifiers and end-users can buy with confidence.”

02/08/2007 - Smart attics

Every once in a while, a UK-based company comes up with an innovation which totally turns accepted practice on its head, and which addresses not only the needs of the customer, but also the supply chain, offering high performance, value for money and buildability. Representing a collaboration between timber systems specialist, Wolf, and timber engineering specialist, Wyckham Blackwell, smartroof is such an advancement though it is a case of smart attics rather than ‘Smart Alecs’!

smart atticsRecognising that volume is the key to success in the off-site sector, the brains behind this arrangement of pre-fabricated, pre-insulated panels have targeted smartroof at social and private housing developers tasked with creating high-density affordable housing. Smartroof also answers questions of sustainability, site safety and even the challenge of improving air-tightness.

The timber-based panels, which are installed gable-to-gable rather than from ridge to eaves, represent a greater step change than the introduction of trussed rafters as an alternative to cut roofs; quickly creating a totally unobstructed loft living space. Unlike conventional roof trusses, however, the longitudinal spanning members do not require strengthening or doubling up to span stairwells or accommodate dormer windows. A run of rooflights, ribbon style, is even made possible.

The breathable construction to the smartroof panels gains its strength from a close-nailed, stressed inner skin of OSB. The spaces between the timber members are generally filled with rock mineral wool, though those on the show-house at the premises of Wyckham Blackwell feature the ultra eco-friendly sheep’s wool alternative. The panel is then covered by a bitumen impregnated board, to achieve vapour permeability as well as moisture resistance, and while the top end of each panel has a 35 x 145 mm TR26 timber member running along it to create a step, a 35 x 50 mm batten on the bottom edge of the next unit completes a simple mechanical joint.

More significantly, on the underside of either panel end is a triangular section, which locates in a slot formed within the top edge of the gable units to offer a very positive interlock along with foolproof alignment. Accordingly, the gables have to be temporarily propped and braced in position until the special eaves units are fixed in place.

Where roof windows are to be installed, the smartroof system allows for slightly oversize spacers to be put in place between a sill unit and the next full-length panel. This ‘header’ unit is then allowed to clamp the filler or spandrel units which are light enough to be lifted into position from below.

With all the units in place, the smartroof is reasonably weatherproof, even before the roof membrane is laid across the counter batten sections and installation of the main tiling battens begins. More battens are fixed up on the underside of the panels to enable sheets of plasterboard to form the room soffit and achieve an airtight seal.

The development of the system with its commendable attention to detail has benefited from the support of a DTI Smart Grant and the resulting integrated design is what makes smartroof so quick to install. One small builder who was determined to only have his mobile crane on hire for a single day actually managed to get a terrace of five houses weather-tight between dawn and dusk, though Wyckham Blackwell’s David Himmons insists that two per day is the average for a gang once they understand the sequence. Certainly, if you ignore the laying of the roof covering itself, the rest of the construction to achieve a recognisable room in the roof takes just a day, where two to three weeks would be considered reasonable using the various trades in sequence.

David Leaney, Managing Director of Wolf Systems, sums up the system’s potential saying: “There is a growing realisation amongst housebuilders of the massive potential that smartroof offers: being suitable for use in combination with timber frame, steel frame, concrete and masonry construction. 120 smartroofs have been installed to date and there are orders from major national companies for a further 144.”

06/07/2007 - Wolf has it covered! Wolf Systems, Stand H127/J130,
Interbuild, NEC Birmingham, 28 October – 1 November 2007

Wolf Systems partners a network of licensed trussed rafter, roof panel, metal web floor and timber frame manufacturers throughout the UK and Ireland, providing design, engineering and manufacturing solutions for the entire building.

Trussed rafters form Wolf Systems’ core business; the company enjoys a reputation as the leading provider of software solutions to the market. This reputation will increase further with the launch, at Interbuild, of WMS (Wolf Management System/Solution) – a new system which will give timber engineering manufacturers the tools required to run all aspects of their business from design through to CRM functions and production control.

Interbuild NEC Birmingham 28/10/07 - 01/11/07 Stand H127/J130Engineered floors are the fastest-growing sector of the engineered wood products market. Wolf Systems’ easi-joist metal web floor system was designed specifically to provide a solution to this trend. The main benefits of the easi-joist product include quality of performance, ease of use and design versatility. The open web system means that there is no need to notch or drill for services. The decking can be quickly added as temporary bracing is unnecessary and the wide nailing surface makes it easy to fix to the joist. Easi-joist is now the only metal web floor system to have gained Robust Detail Approval, Irish Agrément Board Certification and European Technical Approval.

Wolf Systems’ smartroof brings a new dimension to roof construction. This innovative panel system simply slots together. Smartroof is pre-fabricated, pre-insulated panels which is targeted at the affordable end of the market and at house builders tasked with creating high-density dwellings for both private and social housing. Smartroof also answers questions of sustainability, site safety and even the challenge of improving air-tightness. Smartroof is specified by a number by national house builders.

Wolf’s range of timber engineering manufacturing machinery includes truss and joist presses, CNC saw options, wall and floor panel production systems and a complete range of handling equipment. This equipment will allow the company to meet individual customer needs whatever the requirements.

For further information on Wolf Systems, please visit Wolf Systems at Interbuild on stand H127/J130 or call 02476 602303. 

19/06/2007 - easi-joist gains Irish approval

Wolf Systems, the Midlands-based timber engineering specialist, has gained Irish Agrément Board Approval for their easi-joist floor system.

 easi-joist gains Irish approvalThe easi-joist metal web floor system is growing in popularity in both Ireland and the UK with 26 manufacturers now signed up to the system which is replacing solid timber floor joists; these are difficult to source at present due to supply issues. The easi-joist system is popular in housebuilding and commercial development, where the open web construction allows easy access for electrical and plumbing services.

The Irish Agrément Board Approval took two years to achieve with consultants, BRE and TRADA. It involved fire testing to ensure the floor can withstand the vigour of extreme temperatures for one hour along with sound testing to confirm that the transmission of sound between floors conforms to current building regulations.

The structural stability of the system was carefully examined in tests - including one to destruction - and confirmed how stable and strong the system is. Easi-joist is now the only metal web floor system to have gained Robust Detail, Irish Agrément Board Approval and European Technical Approval.

For more information download the certificate here.

24/05/2007 - easi-joists now prove an easi-process!

Wolf Systems, the whole house timber engineering specialist, boasts another development in its easi-joist metal web floor system portfolio. The floor system has achieved Robust Detail approval; just after it gained European Technical approval – the first floor system in Europe to do so.

easi-joists now prove an easi-process!The Robust Detail approval is a significant development for Wolf Systems with easi-joist frequently becoming the preferred method of floor construction for many contractors throughout the UK and Ireland.

Robust Standard Detail (EFT3) separates floors in timber frame construction, particularly in flatted developments, which confirms the strength and suitability of easi-joist beams in this form of construction. The main advantage to contractors is that when Wolf’s easi-joist is used in timber frame flats, constructed as per E-FT-3, pre-completion sound testing is not required to prove compliance with Part E of the Building Regulations in England and Wales which saves time, money and the uncertainty of pre-completion testing.

Ken Coulson, Marketing Manager at Wolf comments, “We are very pleased with this approval, it opens up large markets for us as flatted developments now account for 46% of the total new build market and the easi-joist gives our customers the opportunity to supply manufactured product to developments which typically use fewer trusses. Currently, approximately 40% of our truss customers manufacture easi-joists and we expect this percentage to continue to rise.”

The metal web system gained the Robust Detail approval after a lengthy testing regime on live sites and now puts Wolf Systems in a very strong position for growth in the future.

30/04/2007 - Shortage of roof truss designers has created a training frenzy!

Wolf Systems has identified that the demand for truss designers has never been so high throughout the UK and Ireland with most truss manufacturers struggling to attract the right quality of experienced staff.

Shortage of roof truss designers has created a training frenzy!This universal problem is exacerbated by the continuing exodus of experienced design staff to the rapidly-expanding engineered floor sector. In addition, there has been growth of many truss businesses over the past two years.

Wolf is well aware of this trend and has increased the number of design courses to help redress the shortages. David Leaney, managing director of Wolf Systems explains, “We are now running training courses at our offices most weeks and have just built a second larger training facility to accommodate the increased and constant demand.

“Our training is quite extensive and covers modules from basic introductory truss design to intermediate truss design. We also offer additional courses for differing aspects of Whole House Timber Engineering including manual loadings, attic framing, roofscape, easi-Joist, metal web floor design and Keybuild timber frame design. There seems to be a steep rise in the demand for training which is excellent for the industry and the future of timber engineering.”

Wolf Systems is at the forefront of providing advanced timber fabrications - capable of addressing the entire building structure to the UK and Irish markets. The company offers bespoke design software and comprehensive technical support to its fabricator network as well as supplying them with an extensive catalogue of connector plates.

28/03/2007 - Wolf’s easi-joist is the first metal web joist to attain European Technical Approval

Wolf Systems has notched up another standard to the company collection and can now boast that its easi-joist is the first metal web joist system to attain European Technical Approval (ETA).  European Technical Standard 07/0032 is a new approval for Wolf and the process comprised assessing the company’s products to ensure that they can be used in any European member state.

Wolf’s easi-joist is the first metal web joist to attain European Technical ApprovalThe assessment is based in fulfilling six essential requirements which are set out in the Construction Products Directive (CPD).

Ken Coulson, Wolf’s Marketing Manager explains, “There is no suitable design method for metal web joists in Eurocode 5, unlike for trusses, hence the need for ETA to provide a harmonised design standard. 

For Wolf’s manufacturers, there are many benefits.  Firstly, it will remove NHBC design restrictions and so allow for longer spans.  This effectively gives Wolf a level playing field. It will also supersede the Irish approval, replacing IS and BS standards for harmonisation. The approval also allows for easi-joists to be CE marked.

01/03/2007 - Wolf signs another deal
Wolf signs another deal
 Following on from a recent signing with whole house timber engineering specialist Randek BauTech AB, Wolf Systems has signed another deal with the sister company, Randek AB, to supply all Randek AB’s equipment in the UK and Eire.

The agreement with Randek AB, Sweden’s sawing equipment specialist, includes installation and servicing from the UK by AV Birch, timber specialist machinery manufacturer, which is based in Bridgenorth.

For further information on Wolf Systems machinery, please call 02476 602303 or visit machinery.



01/02/2007 - Wolf on show at The New Self Build and Renovation Centre

Wolf Systems’ technology is featured throughout the new National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon.

Wolf on show at The New Self Build and Renovation CentreThe Centre is the brainchild of self build and renovation market leader, BuildStore, and is designed to offer help and advice to aspiring self builders and house builders.

Wolf Systems is at the forefront of providing advanced timber solutions - capable of addressing the entire building structure - to the UK market: the company offers bespoke design software, training and comprehensive technical support to its fabricator network; as well as supplying them with an extensive range of connector plates.

The company’s portfolio encompasses, WolfWin®, its market leading roof design software, the easi-joist® metal web floor system and KeyBuild® a comprehensive wall panel program for a whole house timber frame solution.

Wolf has supplied materials to three main areas in the Centre.

On the Wolf stand (TV102), the progressive company is exhibiting roof trusses and easi-joists®.  In essence, easi-joists® are parallel chord trusses using stress graded solid sawn timber.  These chords are plated together with a precision engineered structural component called the metal web.  Pressing the metal webs into the chords forms the easi-joist®.  In a complete floor situation, this becomes the easi-joist® system. 

Demonstrating the versatility of roof trusses, Wolf supplied standard fink and room-in-the-roof attic trusses to the Roof Zone G. While in Demo Zone R, the company supplied the whole structure for the Glulam section. This time demonstrating the versatility of the easi-joist® system as sloping rafters as oppose to the more conventional floor application.

David Leaney, managing director of Wolf Systems comments “As a business opportunity, we believe that the centre will put Wolf and our customers on the front line to receive important leads for self build and renovation projects.”

The National Self Build and Renovation Centre is open to visitors from 10 am to 6 pm all year round. For further information about Wolf’s product portfolio, please call 02476 602303 or e-mail selfbuild@wolfsystem.co.uk.

01/01/2007 - Taking it easy with Wolf!

Apartment buildings now account for 41% of the housing completions in the UK while Ireland is experiencing the same trend. As a result, engineered floors is the fastest-growing sector of the engineered wood products market and the specification is growing in importance as the number of manufacturers increases and the market becomes more complex.

Wolf Systems’ easi-joist system, which was designed specifically to provide a solution to this trend, is now employed by 37% of Wolf manufacturers – a huge increase on previous years.

In essence, easi-joists are parallel cord trusses using stress graded timber cords. These cords are plated together with a procession engineered structural component called the metal web. Pressing the metal webs into the cords forms the easi-joist. In a complete floor situation, this becomes the easi-joist system.

The main benefits of the proven, quality easi-joist product include quality of performance, ease of use and design versatility.

The original and most popular use for the easi-joist is as a floor joist although it can also be used in cassette form which is becoming increasingly popular as more and more prefabrication of components is being used in construction.

Taking it easy with Wolf!Ideally suited for creating flat roof solutions, easi-joist provides easy access for service runs. It can also be designed as pitched rafters to create a roof. The most common application here is when a high thermal efficiency value is required; the voids in the joists give greater flexibility for insulation through the whole roof.

The key to the success of the product is the manufacturers. It is not a product which is purchased and resold; it’s an engineered product that’s manufactured in a customer’s factory.

Manufacturing the product brings benefits to the Wolf customer. There are no large expensive stocks in the yard for the truss manufacturer and, because the end product is manufactured to order, costly waste is reduced. The job only uses the materials needed to complete it so if a customer needs a four-metre long joist, a four-metre long joist is made with no wastage.

An easi-joist is still a truss, just a little shorter and flatter, as well as being easier to cut, easier to set up, easier to handle and easier to deliver. Every roof needs a floor and every floor needs a roof; Wolf has found the answer with the easi-joist system.

Because it is a custom made product, there is the opportunity to create a wide range of different depths giving great flexibility. This range of depths allows compatibility with solid timber and other engineered joists so there’s no need for expensive drawing changes.

Easi-joists are 40% lighter than equivalent solid joists which means easier handling on site and, as the joists are made to measure, there is no site wastage. They are manufactured to exact dimensions and the wide bearing surface allows for quick setting out. The decking can be quickly added as temporary bracing is unnecessary and the wide nailing surface makes it easy to fix to the joist. The open web system means that there is no need to notch or drill for pipes. Easi-joist also offers the opportunity for retro-installation of additional services with very little disruption.

In addition, a small cross-section of timber means minimal shrinkage and quieter floors and there are very few ancillary products required to complete a floor minimising the need for a great deal of on-site training.

A future development is trimmable ends for easi-joists, giving the builder flexibility to slightly alter the spans. This will eliminate multiple set-ups for angled wall situations.

In response to increased demand, Wolf also offers an increased level of support for manufacturers; another reason for the steady growth in the system’s popularity. In addition, the two-day easi-joist training course is now well attended and support literature includes three sales brochures, a comprehensive technical guide and a Masonry and Timber Frame site guide.




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