Internal works

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Vapour control & airtightness

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You can find more information about suitable vapour control layer methods here in the WikiHouse Design Guide. The VCL can be installed on site. You’ll need to fix the membrane to the WikiHouse chassis as per the membrane manufacturer’s installation instructions, checking if you need to overlap the sheets and adequately sealing penetrations and joins. The VCL can be cut to fit over internal ribs and services in the WikiHouse structure, then thoroughly sealed around these penetrations in the layer.

As an alternative, it is also possible to use a number of liquid applied VCLs on the market, such as Blowerproof and Passivepurple. This can be applied to the inner face of blocks off-site, then reapplied over joins between blocks once the chassis is assembled. Alternatively, it could be applied once the chassis is in place, coating the entire internal surface of the cassettes.

Make sure to specify where possible using one company’s product suite, getting their specification advice ahead of time. Check for a system warranty, rather than a product warranty. That way, any issues with the performance of the VCL can be clearly addressed by the manufacturer.

Air permeability (blower-door) testing is the best way to check that the VCL and air seals have been fitted tightly and there are no significant air leaks. It’s good practice to arrange initial blower door tests before internal linings and finishes are fitted to give you an opportunity to spot and seal any leaks.

Internal walls

Internal walls and partitions are generally constructed using traditional timber stud framing. 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.

The only exception to this will be any lateral bracing cross walls, which have to be located along the XFLOOR beams and screwed into the upstands and the soleplate below. Where the cross wall ends or there is an opening for a door, the upstands that cross those areas can be easily removed with a multitool or saw.

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 120mm air ducting.

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.

Internal finishes

The WikiHouse chassis has internal ribs that create a clear 32mm service zone in the walls and 70mm in the ceiling. Your internal linings will go over these ribs. Depending on your material choice, you will likely be fixing your linings into the timber ribs, or you could fix battens over the ribs to give further flexibility. When mounting to the ribs we recommend using quality 35mm woodscrews so you get good grip into the end grain of the timber.

On residential builds, the internal walls and ceilings are usually lined with plasterboard (or drywall). Use tapered-edge panels that are 1200mm wide, as these will align with the protruding 'ribs' of the structure, and because of the precision of the structure, you will only need to tape and fill joints before painting instead of needing to skim. Other lining products, such as plywood and MgO board are also suitable alternatives.

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You can lay a flooring material of your choosing over the WikiHouse floor block. Consider using soft floor materials when more sound deadening is required, e.g. at first floor.