Massive wood construction system
NOVATOP is a comprehensive building system of large-format components made from cross laminated solid wood. All panels are characterized by high strength, stability and extreme static load capabilities. Due to the controlled drying technology and cross lamination these building components exhibit exceptional dimensional stability and extremely low moisture variation.
Airtightness
All NOVATOP solid wood panels are inherently airtight by design. At the construction joints, the panels are lap jointed, glued and screwed for both structural performance and air tightness. On the exterior, an air tightness tape is applied over the joints to ensure the proper sealing at that joint. Thanks to the characteristics of the completely natural, solid wood wall, an airtight yet breathable envelope without the use of a foil membrane is created. Each project receives a blower door test before the insulation takes place for verification of it's performance. Since all NOVATOP components are prefabricated, there are far less details to pay attention to, when compared to other construction systems.
Natural breathability
With appropriate insulation, the NOVATOP construction remains breathable. Interior humidity partially passes through the building and is removed through the roof venting system , the other part is absorbed and retained by the wood and later released when the inside humidity decreases. These qualities eliminate the need for a foil vapor barrier, which is often one of the most problematic issues of wood structures.
Speed of construction
This system is assembled as a construction kit. All components are prefabricated to exact dimensions, including the shaping of joints, pre-cutting for windows and doors and other custom adjustments, such as preparation for wiring and insulation. Prefabricated panels are delivered straight to the building site where they are assembled and installed by crane in a matter of hours and days.
Phase shift
Phase shift is a quality which helps mediate the impact of external temperature increase. When the sun shines on the external surface of the building, it heats up and the heat spreads to interior. Phase shift is the time after which the temperature of external surface can be felt on the interior side. The phase shift of solid NOVATOP panels is 3 to 7 hours, according to the panel thickness; in combination with wood fibre insulation it can be increased to 15 hours.
Sound insulation and acoustic properties
A building is supposed to prevent the spreading of noise, whether external noise caused by the traffic or internal coming from the building. Even the best building materials cannot ensure all the requirements on their own, unless the construction was designed to prevent spreading of noise. When combined with specific insulation materials, NOVATOP provides real comfort in this area. Using NOVATOP ACOUSTIC panels for interior sheathing, walls or ceiling, noise absorbtion properties can be significantly improved with the added benefit of adding natural beautiful wood with modern design to your house.
Visual quality
The exposed load bearing NOVATOP structure can be a part of the interior design! The visual quality wood opens new perspectives in buildingdesign, enabling a smooth merger of structural wood walls with modern interior. The panels are a great choice for exposed or attic ceiling, where they form also the load bearing layer and enable embedding of lights and wiring and cabling in the structure. They are suitable for any kind of finishing, just like natural wood as well as staining.
Quality guarantee
NOVATOP is made of local spruce under strict environmental regulations. The manufacturing process meets the highest certification standards (PEFC, Natureplus, ETA, etc.). All components are manufactured using state-of-the-art CNC equipment based on CAD data and digital surveillance of the whole production process. While the production takes place in the Czech Republic, the system was developed and tested in Switzerland.
Fire resistance
NOVATOP panels can be used for the construction of all major building types, including buildings with increased fire safety requirements, such as schools or hospitals. In the event of a fire, heavy timber will develop a protective charring layer on the surface. When engineering for fire resistance and code compliance, this additional charring thickness is accounted for. The structure itself stays intact.