Linwood High Rise

Project Overview

Belmar Court and Asbury Court are two prominent high-rise residential towers in Linwood, each comprising 16 storeys and 87 flats, originally constructed in the 1970s. The electrically heated buildings had poor thermal performance, contributing to high energy costs and fuel poverty among residents.

As part of Linstone Housing’s wider regeneration programme to align its housing stock with Scottish Housing Standards, the towers were identified as priority assets for a comprehensive building fabric upgrade. The project adopted a “fabric-first” approach, focusing on improving the thermal and performance characteristics of the external envelope through a high-performance external wall insulation (EWI) system.

Design and Specification Objectives

The façade specification was developed to:

• Deliver a substantial improvement in thermal performance to reduce operational energy demand and resident heating costs.
• Provide a non-combustible, fire-safe EWI solution appropriate for high-rise residential applications.
• Ensure compliance with relevant wind load, structural and building regulation requirements.
• Transform the external appearance of the towers with a durable and visually distinctive façade.

Early technical engagement between Wetherby Wall Systems, E.ON Energy Installation Services Ltd and the project structural engineers ensured the system design was robust, compliant and suitable for the building height and exposure conditions.

System Specification

The installed EWI solution incorporated the following elements:

• Substrate:
• Existing cavity wall construction, with remedial works and installation of replacement cavity wall ties prior to system installation.
• Insulation:
• 100 mm non-combustible stone wool insulation boards, selected for their high fire performance, thermal efficiency and acoustic properties.
• Fixing Strategy:
• Mechanically fixed system, with fixing type and density determined through wind load calculations and mechanical pull-out testing to ensure suitability for 40-metre-high elevations.
• Reinforcement and Base Coat:
• Reinforced base coat incorporating alkali-resistant mesh, providing impact resistance and long-term system integrity.
• Finishes:
  • Dry dash finish (cream) to all elevations, delivering a hardwearing and durable surface.
  • Wetherby Silicone ‘K’ 1.5 mm render panels (terracotta) used to create visual contrast and architectural definition across the façade.

All components were specified as part of a fully compatible, system-based solution designed to maintain performance continuity and regulatory compliance.

Thermal Performance

The completed system delivered a significant improvement in building fabric performance:

• Pre-refurbishment U-value: 1.41 W/m²K
• Post-refurbishment U-value: 0.29 W/m²K

This level of improvement supports compliance with current building regulations and delivers meaningful reductions in heating demand for residents.

Installation and Technical Delivery

Given the height and age of the structures, the project required a high level of technical coordination and quality control.

Key delivery elements included:

• Structural assessment and remedial works to address existing cavity wall ties.
• Wind load analysis and on-site mechanical pull-out testing to validate fixing design.
• Ongoing technical support and specification guidance provided by Wetherby Wall Systems’ technical team throughout installation.
• Coordination between installer, funding partner and structural engineers to ensure regulatory and safety compliance.

Performance Outcomes

• Major improvement in thermal efficiency across both towers.
• Non-combustible façade solution suitable for high-rise residential use.
• Durable, low-maintenance external finish appropriate for exposed elevations.
• Enhanced visual identity of two landmark residential buildings.
• Reduced fuel costs and improved comfort for residents.

Architect and Specifier Value

This project demonstrates the application of a non-combustible, stone wool EWI system on high-rise residential buildings. It highlights the importance of:

• Early structural and wind load assessment.
• Fixing validation through mechanical testing.
• System compatibility and façade durability in exposed, high-rise conditions.
• Technical collaboration across client, engineer and system provider.

Stakeholder Feedback

A spokesperson for E.ON Energy Installation Services Ltd commented:

“This was an important refurbishment project for Linstone Housing and it was vital that the EWI not only significantly improved energy efficiency, but also transformed the appearance of the flats.

Wetherby’s technical team played a crucial role in ensuring the most appropriate system was installed, advising on fixings, detailing and remedial work to ensure correct installation and long-term performance. This project represents best practice in the planning and delivery of high-rise external wall insulation.”

Project Significance

Belmar Court and Asbury Court serve as a benchmark for the delivery of high-rise, non-combustible EWI systems within social housing refurbishment programmes, demonstrating how performance-driven specification can address fuel poverty, regulatory compliance and long-term asset improvement.