Environment
It is widely accepted that building regulations in the UK have historically been less stringent than those of Scandinavia and though they have been greatly enhanced in recent years, houses from Sweden usually have a greater level of insulation than is used here. Sustainability, energy efficiency and use of eco-friendly materials are a way of life in Sweden, so it follows that the houses they build are well designed, energy efficient and built to last.
Timber is the most abundant resource available for house building in Scandinavian countries and they have been creating homes this way for centuries. Indeed timber buildings which are several centuries old are still in existence. Gotenehus homes are made from timber framed sections using Swedish and Finnish wood from sustainably forested sources, with high levels of insulation for comfort and energy efficiency.
Typical air permeability: 0.4l/s/m2 @ 50Pa or better
Typical U values for the elements of Gotenehus houses are as follows:
| Type of Element | Area weighted average U value (W/m2K) for all elements of the same type | Building Regulations Part L1A limiting fabric parameters (W/m2K) |
| Wall | 0.162 | 0.3 |
| Floor | 0.11 | 0.25 |
| Pitched Roof (Insulation at ceiling level) |
0.083 | 0.2 |
| Pitched Roof (Insulation at rafter level) |
0.108 | 0.2 |
| Flat roof or roof with integral insulation | 0.092 | 0.2 |
| Windows, roof windows or rooflights | 0.9 | 2.0 |
| Doors | 1.0 | 2.0 |