WikiHouse
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Windows and doors
The WikiHouse chassis is compatible with more or less any type of window, and the precision of the chassis means that units can be ordered in advance, instead of needing to be measured on site. We find that inward-opening, double-glazed composite windows look great. It's a good idea to mount these onto cranked brackets on the top and sides.
The most important thing is to make sure any gap between the unit and the opening is fully insulated, and fully protected from wind-driven rain using suitable flashings, tape and expanding insulation.
Find out more in the design guide.
The most important thing is to make sure any gap between the unit and the opening is fully insulated, and fully protected from wind-driven rain using suitable flashings, tape and expanding insulation.
Find out more in the design guide.
Foundations
The WikiHouse chassis sits onto timber rails, which must be straight and level. These rails can be supported by any type of foundation.
Helical screw piles are accurate, fast-to-install and can be-reused, but you can also bolt the rails onto a concrete trench or slab.
Because WikiHouse structures are lighter than brick buildings, the job of the foundations is to hold the building down, as much as up.
Find out more in the design guide.
Helical screw piles are accurate, fast-to-install and can be-reused, but you can also bolt the rails onto a concrete trench or slab.
Because WikiHouse structures are lighter than brick buildings, the job of the foundations is to hold the building down, as much as up.
Find out more in the design guide.
Cladding
One of the benefits of an 18mm plywood chassis is that you can fix almost any kind of cladding onto it.
Large panels are the fastest type of cladding to install, but they don't give the texture that tends to make for beautiful, well-loved buildings, and they can be costly to replace.
A good 'best of both' solution is to pre-clad whole panels in a workshop, which can then be quickly installed on site.
Find out more in the design guide.
Large panels are the fastest type of cladding to install, but they don't give the texture that tends to make for beautiful, well-loved buildings, and they can be costly to replace.
A good 'best of both' solution is to pre-clad whole panels in a workshop, which can then be quickly installed on site.
Find out more in the design guide.
Insulation
WikiHouse Skylark blocks include a cavity for 250mm insulation in the walls, and 350mm insulation in the roof, giving exceptional levels of thermal insulation.
You can use any type of soft-roll or batt insulation, but we love insulation made from recycled plastic, or bio-based materials such as hemp.
Find out more in the design guide.
You can use any type of soft-roll or batt insulation, but we love insulation made from recycled plastic, or bio-based materials such as hemp.
Find out more in the design guide.
Wrapping
As soon as possible after you have assembled the chassis you should wrap it in a breather membrane. This keeps the structure dry, whilst allowing any trapped moisture to evaporate.
If the rainscreen cladding you are going to use has gaps in it, you will need to use a UV resistant breather membrane.
Find out more in the design guide.
If the rainscreen cladding you are going to use has gaps in it, you will need to use a UV resistant breather membrane.
Find out more in the design guide.
Ventilation
When spaces are built to a high level of airtightness, it is especially important to ensure they are properly ventilated.
As well as using natural cross-ventilation, we recommend always installing Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) with full summer bypass. Floor and roof blocks include holes for running air ducts through the building.
Find out more in the design guide.
As well as using natural cross-ventilation, we recommend always installing Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) with full summer bypass. Floor and roof blocks include holes for running air ducts through the building.
Find out more in the design guide.
Roofing
You can use more or less any kind of roofing, including tiles, corrugated panels, membranes or green roofs. A classic choice is standing-seam steel, which is robust, recyclable, and relatively easy to install.
Find out more in the design guide.
Find out more in the design guide.
Internal finishes
There are a number of different ways you can finish the interior of a WikiHouse structure. The most common is to first install a vapour control layer (this is to prevent condensation forming within the walls) then finishing with plasterboard (for fire protection).
Because the chassis is so straight, installation is fast, and no skim is required.
Find out more in the design guide.
Because the chassis is so straight, installation is fast, and no skim is required.
Find out more in the design guide.
Services
The WikiHouse chassis includes an open zone for pipes and electrical wiring all the way around. Floor and roof blocks also include pre-cut holes for 100mm air ducting.
Find out more in the design guide.
Find out more in the design guide.
Internal walls
The straightness and accuracy of the chassis make it relatively simple to add or remove internal walls anywhere within the structure. This leaves plenty of scope to alter the internal layout of the building during its lifetime, so it can adapt to different needs.
Find out more in the design guide.
Find out more in the design guide.
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