Timber iQ December / January 2022 | Page 14

LOCAL PROJECT
The units are transported on a flatbed truck .
on a big flatbed trailer along the peninsula and surrounding holiday areas . “ We wanted to entice the public to enquire about the various possibilities that these units can offer ,” said Pienaar .
Timber iQ found out more : You are committed to manufacturing from local timber . Can you expand on this and explain this process ? We have experience in making furniture and a multitude of timber structures for numerous architectural projects with various alien and indigenous timbers . The alien local timber we use for our structures are from a variety of pine and gum , and we have committed ourselves to use local timber as much as possible . With correctly cured and treated mass timber , we have proven that our local timber , like pine or gum should rather be used to manufacture good quality buildings than being exported for paper pulp !
XLAM manufactures our CLT panels from local SA pine to specific order resulting in minimal waste . Furthermore , we prefer using a local hardwood , eucalyptus Red grandis for our flooring and cladding and decking . This local plantation timber offers great value in price , durability , and aesthetics . These trees are harvested in only 10 years making it a far better option than using scarce , exotic hardwoods that have to be imported from all over the world .
We deal directly with local timber growers in South Africa . The greener and the more we can activate our local industry the happier we are .
Our process : 1 . The client selects the module of their choice . 2 . If modifications to the predesigned units are required , we would go through a design process . If not , finishes and internal finishes are resolved .
3 . If a unique solution is required , we first commence with defining the specific client brief .
4 . With all selections made and the deposit paid the factory manufacturing process begins .
5 . The two small units both have a 6-week turnaround time . The manufacturing process is 2 weeks for a complete unit . Our bigger units have an 8-week lead time to date of delivery .
6 . Soil conditions are studied , the site gets prepared to receive our pre-certified foundation system with the base beam structure , which is installed and takes a day .
7 . Next , the module gets delivered and placed on the founding beam substructure . After the module is fixed to the base structure it will be electrically connected . 8 . That evening the new owner moves in , ready for use .
Tell us more about the focus on CLT . What are the benefits , and if any , what are the challenges ? We are drawn to mass timber and CLT because of its structural integrity , it is measurable , and aesthetically pleasing . As CLT is an engineered solution with the bulk being factory-produced we have little to no waste . It is cost-effective because of the pre-design
12 DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022 // www . timberiq . co . za