A Proctor Group Ltd

Pipers Square in Charlestown, Dublin is one of four projects currently under construction by Cairn Homes, Ireland’s largest house builder. Alongside the other three sites, Pipers Square represents the company’s first foray into delivering residential accommodation to the Passivhaus standard. Over 1700 units are expected to be delivered by the first half of 2026, with some 600 units of those ready to occupy at Pipers Square by the end of 2025.The Proctor Group’s external air barrier, Wraptite®, is part of the external wall specification at Pipers Square. In addition, the Group’s technical services team assisted Cairn Homes with U-value calculations, and a condensation risk analysis to explore the effect of vapour permeable insulation.Adapting existing specifications to meet the Passivhaus standardThe decision to construct Pipers Square to the Passivhaus standard is even more remarkable than simply the number of units being delivered. The site was acquired with planning permission for a scheme that was never designed with the standard in mind.A feasibility study carried out by Cairn Homes, looking at what they would need to do over and above a ‘nearly zero energy’ specification, allowed them to make the commitment to Passivhaus. As reported in Passive House + magazine, the study found that “Cairn’s quality assurance focus and approach to meeting the nearly zero energy building standard required under Irish building regulations made Passivhaus compliance surprisingly attainable.”As such, their apartment building specifications required no extra insulation, and the company already used mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). An upgrade to triple glazed windows was required.“The building regulations in Ireland are already quite onerous,” adds Tony Ruth, Regional Sales Manager for the A. Proctor Group in Ireland. “The gap between the regulations and Passivhaus is not as significant as it might be elsewhere. Our Wraptite membrane was already part of the Pipers Square specification, playing an important role in delivering low air permeability.”The Wraptite external air barrier is a Passivhaus-certified component, reinforcing its credentials as a high-quality product suitable for use in Passivhaus buildings. That it was already part of the external wall specification serves to demonstrate the existing ‘quality assurance focus’ of Cairn Homes. It also helps to show why the move to Passivhaus certification was less complicated than could have been the case.Installing Wraptite at Pipers SquareInstallation of Wraptite at Pipers Square was the responsibility of specialist contractors Platt & Reilly Ltd. As a company they have plenty of experience of the product – including at the Glass Bottle city quarter development, also in Dublin.Wraptite is an airtight and vapour permeable membrane. Positioning it to the outside of the external wall structure moves the airtightness barrier away from the internal services zone, simplifying detailing and reducing the number of penetrations.At the same time, its vapour permeability allows the passage of moisture vapour and helps to eliminate any condensation risk in the wall.With the decision to adopt the Passivhaus standard, Cairn Homes worked with the A.Proctor Group’s technical services team to fully assess the external wall build-up for any moisture risks. They chose to explore several options for internal vapour control layers, including the possible effect of using a vapour variable membrane with the vapour permeable mineral wool insulation.A comprehensive condensation risk analysis was carried out using WUFI® software, showing that the proposed build-up was not subject to any moisture risk due to interstitial condensation.

As of May 2025, construction of the new £65 million Currie Community High School in Edinburgh is nearly complete, meaning it can be assessed for Passivhaus certification.A host of schools currently being built across Scotland are aiming to achieve the standard, many funded in part through the Learning Estates Investment Programme (LEIP). As one of the first recipients of funding, and one of the first projects to reach completion, Currie Community High School will also become one of the country’s first schools to complete the assessment process.“A key element of the Passivhaus standard is airtightness,” said Cameron Galloway, Site Manager at Kier Construction. “The Proctor Group’s Wraptite® membranes were therefore key products for us.” A preliminary air test carried out in early 2025 achieved a result of 0.44 air changes per hour (ach) – standing the school in good stead to surpass the Passivhaus requirement of 0.6 ach.Different Construction Methods Require Different Wraptite MembranesCurrie Community High School has been designed to provide 1,000 student places across three floors, with a focus on daylight, indoor air quality and healthy, natural materials, plus spaces for outdoor learning. The community aspect of the project features amenities including a library, sensory garden, and public allotments.As well as the comfort benefits that come from attaining Passivhaus accreditation, the building’s low energy performance is designed to contribute to the City of Edinburgh Council’s net zero goals.Sport and leisure facilities on the site include a swimming pool, meaning the school will have one of the few Passivhaus-certified pools in the UK; Kier Construction previously delivered the first certified leisure centre in the country, at St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter.While most of the high school is of steel frame construction, the pool hall uses a cross laminated timber (CLT) structure. “We wanted to protect the timber kit as soon as possible,” said Cameron, “so for that part of the building we used Wraptite UV. It offered us a longer exposure time than the standard Wraptite, meaning we could complete that part of the building early on.”Wraptite UV is typically offered for use behind open-jointed cladding, but in this instance supported the specific goals of the project following advice from the Proctor Group technical team.Wraptite membrane was then used across the rest of the site. Both Wraptite products offer a combination of airtightness and vapour permeability, helping to meet low energy goals without increasing condensation risk in the structure. The self-adhered nature of the two membranes creates a consistent airtight seal without the need for a primer, saving on labour and material costs.Delivering Quality Through Technical Support and Shared LearningIn addition to his site management duties, Cameron Galloway also served as the Passivhaus Manager for the site. It was his first experience of managing the quality assurance required for certification, and his first experience of seeing Wraptite installed on a project.“I had to familiarise myself with technical guidance for the product, and check the work of the specialist contractors installing the products,” Cameron explained. “The installers also received good technical support from Linda Kay (Regional Sales Manager at the Proctor Group), who visited site a few times.”Manufacturer support extended to being able to supply extra rolls of membrane at short notice when it became clear there wasn’t quite enough on site. “Using a local supply chain was to our advantage,” said Cameron.For this project, Cameron had a ‘mini’ steel frame sample built on site, using which the team could test interface details and carry out a few airtightness tests before installation started in earnest. He said: “It was reassurance about what would work – for example, sticking the Wraptite to a roofing membrane. Working through these details acted as a sense check and helped us learn lessons.”Such an approach is increasingly common, with similar samples constructed at both Faifley Community Campus and Liberton High (also in Edinburgh).The initial airtightness results suggest the approach paid off for Currie Community High School. With the school’s design and performance modelled to cope with predicted changes in climate to the year 2080, the use of both types of Wraptite membrane has helped to achieve the goal of delivering a facility that will serve generations to come.

Specialist contractors working on a new high school in Dumfries have shown the ongoing benefits of technical and learning support when it comes to delivering low energy construction. Having already used the A. Proctor Group’s external air barrier, Wraptite®, on a previous project, they have now applied that experience to another LEIP-funded school project.Dumfries High School is a replacement school currently under construction. It is the second phase of a three-phase project, with an all-weather sports pitch already completed. When it is occupied in 2026, the £53 million project will serve over 900 pupils, as well as providing community facilities.Designed by Ryder Architecture, delivered by hub South West Scotland, and built by main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, the new facility features sustainable design, energy efficient systems, and inspiring facilities – including the new David Keswick Athletics Centre.Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) featured 25 projects, of which Dumfries High School was one. Thanks to the inclusion of energy efficiency measures in the building fabric, plus low energy M&E systems, the project is aiming for a LEIP band A energy target.As a self-adhesive membrane that is both airtight and vapour permeable, Wraptite is designed to contribute to precisely this kind of building performance and fabric specification. Although Dumfries High School is not targeting Passivhaus certification, Wraptite’s credentials are boosted by its status as a Passivhaus-certified component.Installed to the outside face of external walls, Wraptite helps to achieve higher standards of airtightness by simplifying detailing and reducing the number of penetrations. At the same time, its vapour permeability allows the passage of moisture vapour out of the structure, avoiding any increase in condensation risk.The Wraptite membrane at Dumfries High School was the responsibility of specialist contractors Cairnhill Structures, as part of designing, supplying and installing the complete structural framing system and other associated works.For Cairnhill Structures, they had previously used Wraptite on another school project. “We installed it on the Monifieth Learning Campus project,” said Carlos Simoes, Contracts Manager – Framing at Cairnhill Structures. “As part of that project, we arranged an installation and training workshop at our factory in Coatbridge with Linda Kay and Lewis Stanley.”Linda and Lewis are Regional Sales Manager and Business Development Manager (High Rise & Facades) at the Proctor Group respectively.Training delivered for one project carries over to all subsequent projects, which is a significant benefit when looking to deliver consistent quality and achieve low energy performance that will last for the life of these important education buildings.Experience is particularly vital when it comes to working with the variable nature of the Scottish climate. “Installation during the Scottish winter can be particularly difficult,” noted Carlos. “However, as Wraptite is self-adhesive, installation is a relatively simple and fast process. It also provided excellent weather protection for following trades.”While the Proctor Group had delivered training on a previous project, support did not end there, as Carlos described: “Linda visited site on several occasions throughout the installation process to carry out site inspections.”

Two primary schools, an Early Learning and Childcare Centre, and other community facilities will all be housed in the new £34m Faifley Community Campus in Clydebank. Due to be completed in 2026, the project is being delivered in compliance with the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard (NZPSBS), as part of funding through the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP2).As such, the new campus will be certified to the Passivhaus standard, which requires thermally efficient, airtight building fabric. The campus’ external wall build-up features Proctor Group’s Wraptite® UV external airtightness membrane.Supply chain collaborates to ensure Passivhaus project successArchitects Holmes Miller have embedded the Passivhaus standard into their work. Their track record in delivering Passivhaus-standard buildings includes East End Community Campus, which features Proctor Group’s standard Wraptite membrane.Writing on their website , Holmes Miller describe how the standard “helps reduce risk for clients” and ensures that “what clients pay for is delivered as an end product.” Especially for a large project like Faifley Community Campus, independently-verified on-site quality checks make it essential that contractors understand how the building’s construction contributes to the end goal.While main contractor Morrison Construction Scotland has experience of Passivhaus-standard projects, Faifley Community Campus is Senior Project Manager Ross Kobylka’s first time working on a Passivhaus project.“Given the nature of the build, we constructed a 2.5m x 2.5m x 4m test rig to test out some of the detailing first,” said Ross. “Our supply chain, including A. Proctor Group, bought into what we were doing and supplied materials for free.” A series of air tests were carried out on the rig that allowed iterative improvements to be made, and gave the team confidence that the details are capable of meeting the Passivhaus airtightness requirements when constructed to the agreed quality.”Specifying Wraptite UV to deal with challenging site conditionsLike its counterpart membrane, Wraptite, the specified Wraptite UV membrane allows the campus buildings to benefit from moving the airtight line to the exterior face of the external wall. Doing so avoids a lot of complex detailing (such as around services and other penetrations) that often occurs at the internal face.The composition of Wraptite UV makes it more resilient to the effects of UV exposure. It is typically used behind open-jointed cladding, though this wasn’t a consideration at Faifley Community Campus with its masonry and sinusoidal cladding facing materials. A benefit of Wraptite UV’s resilience is that it can be left exposed for longer if required, which may have benefited the construction programme in this particular case.Wraptite UV is fully-adhered and doesn’t require a primer, saving on labour and material costs. It also vapour permeable, so can achieve a high level of airtightness without increasing condensation risk within the structure.

Fireshield® vapour permeable membrane, which is designed specifically to improve the fire protection behind cladding has been chosen for a new Science Centre at Bevington Primary school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London.The project includes a brand new Science Studio, plus before and after school club buildings.SIP Build UK was appointed as frame subcontractor for the project and chose the Fireshield membrane as part of the SIPS panelling system. Chris Duckworth from SIP Build UK explains: “We chose Fireshield as it provided the project with a number of really important benefits. Fireshield is a high-performance breather membrane which enables us to achieve the requirements in terms of fire protection without compromising on vapour control.Fireshield was also ideal because it is easy to use and allowed us to achieve the requirements in one process, using just the membrane, rather than the typical approach of two, cement board and a membrane.”Fireshield is the culmination of leading research to produce a vapour permeable membrane with a intumescent coated surface, which has a unique composition that actively reacts to help protect the materials underneath. The intumescent coating helps protect the substrate by reducing the risk of fire taking hold and significantly reduces the formation of droplets and smoke.The BBA Certificate awarded to Fireshield confirms that it has enhanced performance in relation to reaction to fire classification, will reduce the risk of interstitial condensation, and will have a life equal to that of the building in which it is installed.Fireshield complies with BS5250, BS4016 and NHBC requirements for vapour permeable walling underlays. It is installed and fixed to the substrate in the same manner as standard breather membranes using mechanical fixings. Applications include both commercial and residential buildings including apartments and student accommodation, as well as Rainscreen cladding and applications over 18m high (11m in Scotland).

Wraptite®, the vapour permeable external air barrier from Proctor Group, is part of the high-performance residential building specification in the new Dublin city quarter, Glass Bottle.Connecting Dublin to its bay at the base of the Poolbeg Peninsula, the development is also linking the communities of Irishtown, Ringsend and Sandymount. The creation of Glass Bottle is transforming some 15 hectares of a former glass bottle-making site that was once home to one of the most modern factories in Europe. Building an entirely new city quarter, that is also intended to be a city-within-a-city, is expected to take around a decade. The work currently being undertaken, and which features the use of Wraptite as part of the specification, is Phase 1.Specifying an external air barrier for the new Glass Bottle city quarterGranted planning permission in March 2022, Phase 1 of Glass Bottle comprises three individual buildings with around 570 apartment units overall. 10% are social housing units and 15% are affordable housing units – percentages that will be maintained across delivery of the entire scheme, which will eventually deliver 3800 new homes for some 9500 people.Phase 1 also includes a new creche and 400m2 of retail space. The external wall build-up of the apartment buildings is a fairly typical light steel frame structure with a sheathing board and external finish. Designed and specified by Dublin-based architectural practice Henry J. Lyons, the Wraptite external air barrier was named within their specification pack.As an airtight and vapour permeable membrane, Wraptite can be positioned to the external side of the structure. This moves the airtightness barrier away from the internal services zone, simplifying detailing and reducing the number of penetrations through the membrane. At the same time, allowing the passage of moisture vapour eliminates condensation risk.It is even possible to use Wraptite as the sole membrane in a wall build-up, subject to the appropriate condensation risk analyses being carried out. However, at Glass Bottle, the Phase 1 specification still included an internal vapour control membrane as part of a belt-and-braces approach.The residential apartments feature mechanical heat recovery ventilation, so an airtightness target of less than 3m3 /hr/m2 will be desirable. The better the standard of airtightness achieved on the project, the more efficiently the heat recovery ventilation will operate – and that all depends on the quality of the installation.Installing Wraptite external air barrier on Phase 1 of Glass BottleThe performance of Wraptite membrane is founded on it being a simple, self-adhesive solution, with the added benefit of Wraptite Tape being used for particular areas of detailing. This approach saves on the labour and material costs associated with meeting modern energy efficiency requirements, which are at the forefront of Glass Bottle’s conception.Responsibility for installing Wraptite on Phase 1 of Glass Bottle fell to the subcontractors, Platt & Reilly Ltd. Talking about having experience of using different air barrier membranes, Project Manager Ionel Danaca explained what makes Wraptite different.“We’ve found Wraptite is the easiest membrane to work with,” he said. “It’s the quality of the membrane and the quality of the adhesive – and not just that it is a self-adhered membrane, but the strength of the bond itself is superior.” Creating an entirely new quarter in a historic city like Dublin is no small undertaking. It means creating, from scratch, a community that is designed to integrate with the existing fabric of the city over decades and even centuries.New residential development must be capable of standing the test of time, especially in the face of climate change. The three Phase 1 buildings have already been subjected to some severe weather during construction. Tony Ruth, A. Proctor Group’s Regional Sales Manager for Ireland, likened the rain to “monsoon” conditions, which the Wraptite had to bear the brunt of.In part thanks to Wraptite’s W1 classification for water holdout, Platt & Reilly’s installation held up. “Over three floors, with thirty apartments per floor, there were just two small corners where some water ingress was evidenced – and even that wasn’t a failing of the membrane, but construction moisture which needed to dry out,” said Ionel.Of course, product quality alone does not guarantee in-situ performance. Workmanship on site must be of a high standard too, and Platt & Reilly more than met their side of the bargain. A collaborative approach from both Platt & Reilly and Proctor Group has helped to get the best results during installation.As Ionel Danaca described: “Tony has visited site several times and been really helpful. He made suggestions about installation relating to things like detailing around scaffolding, brackets and balconies, as well as how to get the most from the roller to bond the adhesive, and we implemented all of them.”The benefits of this learning were quickly realised as Platt & Reilly moved from building 1 to buildings 2 and 3. Tony has been pleased to see the progress made and the performance achieved, even as construction work continues to take place:“Platt & Reilly are proactive and helpful, so from my side it’s been about support and getting to site. You have to be there to support the best possible result, especially on such a landmark development for Dublin.”

Occupants of Moda Living’s 722-home build-to-rent scheme at Great Charles Street in Birmingham will soon enjoy the thermal comfort benefits of airtight building fabric, thanks to installation of the A. Proctor Group’s Procheck® A2 membrane.The accommodation comprises a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including some penthouses. As of April 2025, work is well under way by Titan Interior Solutions (part of the Horbury Group) to complete the membrane installation as part of the full internal fit out package on blocks B and C of the project.The 16-storey block B and the 5/6-storey block C of Great Charles Street both feature a concrete frame with brickwork finish. This is in contrast to the 39-storey block A, which features a facade build-up and is outside the scope of Titan Interior Solutions’ work.The external wall structure of blocks B and C meant the airtightness line was specified internally. That has required the company to install an air and vapour control layer (AVCL) membrane to the internal face of the walls.The initial specification package included a different AVCL product, which Titan Interior Solutions began to install. However, as Project Manager Matthew Cockayne explained, it quickly became clear that a change needed to be requested.“The original product did not provide the best install. We got feedback from thteam on site that it wasn’t the easiest to cut or handle,” said Matthew. “The decision was made to change to the Procheck A2 membrane and the reviews improved immediately. The installers found it better to use and easier to install, which saved us time. From there, we carried on using it.”Procheck A2 is a vapour and airtight membrane. Its composition gives the membrane a high degree of vapour controlling properties, as well as being airtight, which allows its use as an AVCL and helps contribute to the thermal efficiency of the building due to its’ reflective surface. It is also rated A2-s1,d0 when classified to BS EN 13501-1, meaning it is considered limited combustible with no contribution to fire and can be used in relevant buildings and those over 11m/18m.Better handling and faster installation make a big difference on a large project like Great Charles Street. With an internal airtightness line, installers had to work around a lot of penetrations, including ducts, pipes and brackets. In Matthew’s words, that’s a “nightmare” because any single penetration could be a source of failure when it comes to airtightness testing. A product that cuts and handles well reduces the potential risks of failure.Thorough checking of work has also played a significant role in the delivered results.“We don’t want to take finished walls down to address airtightness failures, so the more people who view the completed installation before it is covered up, the better,” said Matthew. “Block managers from main contractor Sisk check all the work. We also had a member of the A. Proctor Group technical team visit site, to comment and report on the installation.”The change in product and the approach to quality control has so far paid dividends. Finished apartments that have been airtightness tested have averaged a result of below 2.0 air changes per hour (ACH) at 50 Pascals pressure. Compare that to the minimum standard of 5.0 ACH required by the Building Regulations, and it gives an indication of the performance and thermal comfort that eventual occupants can expect to enjoy at Great Charles Street.

A significant challenge when working on the roof of any existing, occupied building is protecting the people inside the building without the full roof system in place. That challenge is multiplied when the building in question is large and work has to be carried out in sections over a longer period of time.At Hatchmeadow apartments in Northumberland, a key performance characteristic of Proctor Air that helped to address these challenges was its water holdout. That, combined with its vapour and air permeability, offered long-term peace of mind for the building owners, as well as apartment residents.

The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 was focused around higher-risk residential buildings, defined as being above a certain number of storeys or a certain height. But a culture of taking fire safety seriously applies to buildings of all types – and park homes designed for short-term holiday rentals are no exception.For Lissett Homes, a manufacturer of premium park homes and lodges, one customer’s request to use a different style of cladding had ramifications beyond the aesthetic appearance of the building. It meant their design team reviewing all of the product specifications and detailing to ensure the necessary performance was achieved – and making use of manufacturer expertise where needed.Meeting fire safety regulations for park homesMinimum heights and distances are a key feature of fire safety regulations, and it is no different for park homes and lodges.“The Caravan Act requires a six-metre gap between buildings,” said Chris Close, Design Director at Lissett Homes. “It can be possible to build closer than that, but it depends on the fire classification of the products used in the build-up.”For Lissett Homes, a significant challenge is not having control over how buildings are sited once they leave the production facility. For the two ‘Bainland’ homes under construction, they could make no assumptions about how the buildings would ultimately be positioned.As Chris explained: “We suspect the customer will site these lodges six metres apart, but we can’t be sure. Also, one large group might rent both buildings at the same time, so the customer might install a timber deck – rather than a paved surface – bridging between the two. That creates an additional fire risk, so we had to make sure the specification was capable of dealing with any eventuality.”Specifying a wall membrane for the worst-case scenarioThe typical Lissett Homes specification features the Proctor Group’s Proctorwrap Reflect® behind the timber cladding. However, that is based on the external cladding achieving a classification of Class 3 when tested to BS 476-7:1997 Fire tests on building materials and structures. Method of test to determine the classification of the surface spread of flame of products.For the new ‘Bainland’ homes, the customer requested a type of vertical cladding, treated with linseed oil, which only achieves Class 4 when tested to the same standard. Combined with the uncertainty over the siting of the buildings, Lissett Homes opted to “design and build for the worst-case,” in Chris’s words.That meant looking at incorporating a fire-rated vapour permeable membrane behind the cladding. “I’ve worked with the Proctor Group for seven or eight years,” said Chris, “so they were our first port of call and together we found the right solution.”The benefits of manufacturer support to refine specificationsIn wanting peace of mind that the new specification could offer the right level of fire safety performance, Lissett Homes benefitted from the Proctor Group’s high level of technical support.That support started with a recommendation to use Fireshield®, a vapour permeable membrane offering Class B-s1,d0 reaction to fire when classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2002 Fire classification of construction products and building elements. Classification using test data from reaction to fire tests.U-value calculations and condensation risk analyses were then carried out to show the wall build-up – based on an OSB-faced structural insulated panel (SIP) – offered the same thermal and moisture management performance as one featuring Proctorwrap Reflect.Despite the change in membrane specification, “we were able to maintain the exact same wall structure and panel thickness,” Chris confirmed.Swapping from typical horizontal cladding to a vertical cladding might sound like a relatively simple aesthetic change. For Lissett Homes, working with vertical cladding for the first time, it also meant reworking a host of details, such as around window openings and at soffits.That reworking included making sure Fireshield was securely fixed so as to not create a hidden fire risk, and here the Proctor Group were again able to support with compatible tapes and detailing advice.For Chris and Lissett Homes, the experience of developing this new specification gives them something new to offer to other customers: “There has been a lot of work on this project, but now we’ve done it once we’ll be adding it to our range of solutions.”

Proctor Air, the roofing membrane for the future developed by the Proctor Group, is being installed as part of the renovation of Manchester Town Hall.Once construction work on the historic building, which is nearly 150-years old, is complete, it will benefit from Proctor Air’s combination of vapour permeability and air permeability.The scheme to redevelop the Grade 1-listed Town Hall is one of the biggest heritage projects in the UK. Known as the ‘Our Town Hall’ project, work is underway to every aspect of the building during the partial restoration and full refurbishment. While the renovation is not yet complete, the quality of some of the work already carried out on the building has already been recognised by organisations including Historic England and the Victorian Society.Air and vapour permeability in an historic roofAt roof level, the restoration efforts include dismantling and rebuilding 30 of the 34 chimneys, and replacing 140,000 roof tiles.Removing the roof finish has afforded the opportunity to install a new pitched roof underlay. The project architects specified Proctor Air, with Mac Roofing & Contracting Ltd carrying out installation.As an historic building, the Manchester Town Hall roof features many intricate details. The complexity of the roof forms, combined with the age and heritage value of the building fabric, means opportunities to provide modern roof ventilation are limited.A key advantage of Proctor Air, as an air permeable low-resistance (APLR) membrane, is that it removes the need for separate roof ventilation. In fact, it provides a more uniform flow of air in the roof space than normal vents, ensuring there are no ‘dead zones’ where the complexity of the roof form could otherwise have restricted air movement.Air permeability performance is important, but must work alongside good vapour permeability performance. With an Sd value of 0.015m and a vapour resistance of 0.075MNs/g, Proctor Air is one of the highest performing vapour permeable membranes on the market.The “invisible story” behind preserving heritageDuring the restoration carried out so far, Manchester City Council has worked to promote the “invisible story” of the project – the elements of the scheme that won’t necessarily be obvious to most people, but which help to preserve the Town Hall’s heritage.Pitched roof underlays are a true ‘fit and forget’ product. Hidden from view, they attract little interest from building users but play a vital role in protecting people from the elements, and from unhealthy indoor climates.Proctor Air might be a modern product, but it is preserving the building’s heritage in its own way. When the weather-tight wrap and 3700 tonnes of scaffolding are finally removed from the Town Hall, the building and its users will benefit from a reliable APLR underlay.Thanks to the selection of Proctor Air, the roof should be capable of facing Manchester’s changing weather and climate for many years to come.

The Wraptite external air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group has been chosen for its airtight benefits for a Department for Education (DfE) funded project of the offsite construction of Northampton School for Boys Multi-Academy Trust.The new project forms part of a full turnkey solution provided by Algeco, acting as Principal Design and Build Contractor alongside Watson Batty Architects. The project includes a total of 210 modules using Seismic technology, plus a hybrid structure for the halls, to create the 1200-place new secondary school, including sixth form.

The Wraptite external air barrier system from the A. Proctor Group has been chosen for its high performance airtight insulation for a new home for young people in Dundee, Scotland.The new £3m single-storey building will be a home for some of the most vulnerable young people in the city where they can grow up in a supportive and caring setting. The project design includes en-suite bedrooms, shared living space, dining, kitchen, and activities facilities, and accommodation for staff.

Procheck A2, the high-performance fire-resistant vapour control layer system from the A. Proctor Group has been selected as part of a £6bn regeneration project that will create over 10,000 homes in Enfield, London, over the next 20 years.Leading regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships has been appointed for the first phase of the Meridian Water scheme working in partnership with Enfield Council. Meridian One will see the development of 1,000 new homes with a mixed tenure of private sale, private rent (PRS) and 50% affordable housing spanning 13 blocks ranging in height from four to twelve storeys. In addition, the scheme incorporates 2,235m2 of employment space and over 2 hectares of green, parkland and open space.Sam Bennett, Commercial Director at SCL LONDON, a Structural Framing Systems and Drylining specialist, commented.“Procheck A2 was selected because it has a Class A2 performance and excellent vapour-controlling properties. In addition, the membrane comes with a high vapour resistance and is airtight, allowing its use as an AVCL.This means that Procheck A2 provides high levels of airtightness which ensures the thermal efficiency of the building.”“Procheck A2 has an A2-s1,d0 fire classification to BS EN 13501-1, is considered limited combustibility and minimal contribution to fire, and therefore, conforms with the requirements for high rise construction (18m).” The superior performance of Procheck A2 from the A. Proctor Group is the perfect solution, delivering significant benefits to the combination of in-factory manufacture and on- site housing construction.Procheck A2 comprises a unique design consisting of a glass fibre backing with a pure aluminium foil and clear lacquer coating. It is this clear surface which provides Procheck A2 with the added benefit of a low emissivity surface, which, when used with a service cavity, can enhance the overall thermal performance of the building fabric, as well as ensure a high fire protection performance, with an A2-s1,d0 fire classification. Procheck A2 is designed to protect the building fabric from the potential risks of condensation whilst providing the added benefit of serving as an effective airtight barrier.Sam Bennett added,“the technical team at the A. Proctor Group supported us throughout and provided comprehensive installation guides giving vital information for both operatives and clients and helping with sign-off at specific hold points throughout the project.” Based on years of investigation, research and development, the A. Proctor Group can offer a superior range of technically advanced membranes to address the safe design of fire solutions in building construction.The installation of Procheck A2 will ensure a high level of protection throughout the building’s lifespan.

A series of 10 newly built affordable Council houses in Montrose, Scotland has been fitted with a high-performing variable-permeability vapour control layer from the A. Proctor Group. Procheck® Adapt is designed to protect the building fabric from the potential risks of condensation and act as an effective airtight barrier.The project, led by Angus Council comprises of a mix of one, two and threebedroom properties which will be built with energy efficiency in mind, providing residents with high-quality affordable homes which will be low-cost to heat and run.Jason Noble, Architect with Angus Council commented on the requirement for a high-performance solution to achieve the desired levels of vapour control and airtightness. “We required a high performing vapour barrier and air tightness layer, that could be installed on site by our contractor and achieve our performance specification. We wanted an effective vapour barrier and airtightness layer that when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and in combination with the timber kit construction would provide an effective airtightness rating of 4 when tested.”Contractor, Andrew Shepherd Construction proposed the use of the Procheck Adapt available from the A. Proctor Group, who has been serving the construction industry for 50 years with an extensive portfolio of technically advanced thermal, acoustic and membrane products.Thanks to its unique design, the Procheck Adapt membrane offers variable permeability which adapts to changes in humidity levels and allows the structure to dry out in the summer and in sunny days during spring and autumn while protecting it from moisture overload in the winter. This is possible because the membrane adapts its vapour resistance to the environment i.e., vapour tight in the winter and more vapour open in the summer.This ensures that the building fabric is protected from damaging moisture levels during cold, wet winter months, and allows the fabric to dry out effectively in warmer, drier months. The introduction of Procheck Adapt will ensure that it provides a high level of protection throughout the lifespan of the properties.Procheck Adapt has a translucent structure which eases fixing to structural frames and in combination with its integral tape allows for a fast installation time. Procheck Adapt is suitable for a variety of commercial and residential applications and provides airtightness to the structure as well as vapour control.

High-performance products from the A. Proctor Group, experts at solving condensation, airtightness and energy efficiency problems in buildings have been selected for use in the construction of a British Antarctic Survey building.The BAS Signy Cummins Hut is designed to provide a fully fabricated, fit for purpose hut, which can be easily erected to provide short-term accommodation for two British Antarctic Survey operatives to carry out incredibly valuable research in extreme polar conditions.Main Contractor, Mike Robinson of Rothwell Robinson, Manchester explained. “Due to the extreme conditions, we wanted to ensure that only the highest performing products were used on the project. In light of the extreme temperatures involved, we approached the A. Proctor Group who carried out a full condensation risk analysis.“Following the risk analysis, the recommendations adopted included Roofshield® for the roof and Procheck® 500 as a VCL for the walls.”“Another key factor was that the chosen components needed to be lightweight to be carried from the shore to their final location on the island.”Roofshield is an air and vapour permeable, highly water-resistant roofing underlay that has been made to the same high specification for over 20 years. The products reliable performance has been demonstrated in the toughest locations around the world. Its characteristics allow even very complex pitched roofs to breathe, without the need for air gaps or secondary venting.Many vapour and air permeable underlays use an airtight VP film layer to achieve their performance, whilst Roofshield’s patented SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) structure allows high levels of airflow, in addition to the transport of moisture vapour, making the formation of condensation in the roof space virtually impossible. It has an extremely high degree of vapour permeability, as well as air permeability, so will still perform in conditions in which air tight alternatives will not.Procheck 500 is a strong reinforced polyethylene vapour control layer, for use within roof and wall constructions to prevent warm, moist air escaping from inside the building and condensing within the insulation. The woven extruded polypropylene multifilament scrim reinforcement provides exceptional tear resistance and robustness to withstand the toughest conditions.

A chemical engineer’s retirement project to convert a former fishing bothy is taking advantage of the benefits of two different membrane products from the Proctor Group: Facadeshield® UV and Proctor Air.The former boat house, complete with double doors leading directly onto a slipway to the beach, has been bricked up for a decade. Now, it is being renovated by David Gibson into a two-storey beach house, fulfilling a long-held ambition.The existing boat house structure provided a tight footprint, being only 3.5m wide by 8m long. David took the existing walls down to around one metre in height, and then began the process of erecting the timber frame that would sit behind. All of this allowed him to use the existing sleeper foundations.Originally, he planned to use an open-jointed timber cladding as the finish above the retained brickwork. He therefore chose the Proctor Group’s Facadeshield UV membrane, which combines UV resistance, water resistance, and high vapour permeability. Designed specifically for open jointed cladding, Facadeshield UV is also dark in colour to provide a shadow effect in the open joints. Ultimately, David had to amend his timber cladding specification to a closed system. The boat house sits right on the boundary of his property, and fire safety regulations necessitated a change in approach.Nevertheless, the qualities of Facadeshield UV still proved useful. As David is carrying out the work himself, progress can inevitably be slow – especially if weather conditions are not favourable. The wall membrane was left exposed for three months before the timber cladding was completed in January 2025, but it has protected the OSB sheathing and timber frame well in that time.On the roof, David chose Proctor Air as an air permeable, low resistance (APLR) membrane, for use below a traditional slate finish. Maintaining a traditional appearance as part of the conversion work is important to David, given the building’s history of use.The monopitch roof design made ventilation provision tricky, as David was specific in how he wanted to detail the ridge and keep it secure in the coastal location in Carnoustie. Selecting Proctor Air removed any such concerns, as it provides a uniform flow of air that effectively ventilates the roof space and removes any risk of condensation.A tile or slate roof finish is the first line of defence against the weather. As water can get into the space below the tile or slate, the chosen underlay must also be capable of resisting water ingress. While not waterproof, Proctor Air has a W1 water resistance, and can be left exposed to UV for up to three months.“Installing both membranes has all been quite easy and intuitive,” said David, before adding, “as long as it isn’t windy!” Although carrying out as much of the work by himself as possible, he did seek some help in getting the roof membrane installed, acknowledging “that it would be tricky for one person.”Having an understanding of heat loss and dew points, David was happy to carry out U-value and condensation risk calculations himself. He has been grateful for the support available during the project so far: “I swapped a few emails with the Proctor Group technical team to check things were okay, and Building Control have been really helpful on site as well.”At the time of writing, most of the external works to the boat house are complete. David will move on to the internal works, where he plans to use the company’s Reflectatherm® Plus to the internal side of the timber frame.

An architect’s home near Dundee is seeing the benefits of its new roof underlay – even though the reroofing hasn’t finished yet. Neil Simpson, a Partner at Wellwood Leslie Architects, is fitting the Proctor Air® himself while renovating the roof of his stone-walled property built in 1902.“Proctor Air has been excellent,” explained Neil. “It is relatively easy to install, and has protected us from the weather. The wind used to whistle through the roof before, but we’ve seen a difference straight away in reducing that infiltration.”Using Proctor Air to Protect Against the Elements – During and After ReroofingSituated in an exposed location overlooking the River Tay, the house is subject to the elements. As Neil has continued to live in the property during the work, the underlay had to be capable of protecting the property and its occupants.Proctor Air has a water resistance classification of W1, and its BBA certificate states the hydrostatic head is greater than 1m. This water hold-out performance means Proctor Air can be left exposed for up to three months (although should not be relied upon as being waterproof).As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather increases, roofs and their underlays need to be capable of withstanding more severe levels of rainfall. A hydrostatic head of at least 1m is the minimum that an underlay should be capable of.While the reroofing work has not experienced too much rain, there have been strong winds. Proctor Air can be used in wind zones 1-4 without additional measures such as taping joints or additional battens.What Advantages Does Proctor Air Offer During Installation?Other advantages of Proctor Air are its Mullen burst strength and slip resistance performance.Mullen burst assesses the strength of a fabric, and is a measure of how robust the membrane is during the construction phase. Proctor Air achieves an excellent result. Compared to similar membranes, Proctor Air also achieves a high coefficient of friction, giving slip resistance for increased safety during installation (alongside normal safe roofing practices).Neil noticed these advantages while working on his roof. He said: “The ability to strip the roof in stages and work in sections, with the slater following on, has been beneficial. Proctor Air has proved very durable, which is what you need when you’re on the roof and working on the membrane.”Combining Traditional Scottish Construction with Modern Building PerformanceThe roof of Neil’s home featured traditional sarking boards, horsehair felt, and Scotch slates. The sarking boards were retained, complete with gaps between them, and repaired where necessary.Being both air and vapour permeable, Proctor Air supports the controlled movement of moisture through the sarking board and underlay layers to the external environment. Consequently, it inhibits the formation of condensation in the pitched roof, to the point where it’s virtually impossible for condensation to occur under normal conditions.As Neil observes, there are hundreds of properties in Scotland with roofs like this. That includes most of the village where the house is located. “We need to make use of modern products and technology,” he says. Proctor Air provides consistent ventilation across the whole roof, so Neil didn’t have to install plastic ventilation products that would have detracted from the traditional appearance of the property.Working with a manufacturer who understands Scottish slating practice gave Neil added confidence. “I’m delighted to see a local company being innovative and creating useful products. The Proctor Group has always been that way.”

Essential repairs and renovation are being carried out on a parish church in Oxfordshire, as part of which St Mary’s Barton is receiving a new pitched roof covering and underlay. The roofing work has been carried out by contractors Speakman Roofing, who were invited to tender for the project by main contractors Building Bespoke.While the church is not particularly old compared to some, having been built in 1958, it possesses architectural significance. The architect, NF CachemailleDay, designed some of the most “revolutionary” 20th-century churches in the UK, including St Mary’s. The reroofing works, therefore, had to be specified and carried out respecting the architectural heritage of the building.

Nearly 600 pupils, including some 80 nursery-age children, are benefitting from learning at Scotland’s first primary school certified to the Passivhaus standard. In recognition of this achievement, Riverside Primary in Perth and Kinross has been nominated for multiple awards.The project won the ‘Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Learning Place’ category at the Learning Places Scotland Awards 2023, and achieved a Silver Award in the Scottish Design Awards 2024. It was also a finalist in both the Public Sector category of the 2024 RICS awards, and the Project Under £20m category of the CN Awards 2024.A key component in the building fabric specification was the A. Proctor Group’s Wraptite® airtightness membrane. Installed to the external side of the structural frame, the fully self-adhered membrane contributed to an overall airtightness test result of 0.53 air changes per hour (ach) at 50 Pascals. The Passivhaus standard requires 0.6 ach or lower.A key component in the building fabric specification was the A. Proctor Group’s Wraptite® airtightness membrane. Installed to the external side of the structural frame, the fully self-adhered membrane contributed to an overall airtightness test result of 0.53 air changes per hour (ach) at 50 Pascals. The Passivhaus standard requires 0.6 ach or lower.Meeting the Passivhaus standard was key to unlocking funding from the Scottish Futures Trust Learning Estates Investment Programme. By achieving the target, the school can be expected to use 50% less energy than a similar school that doesn’t meet the standard. Post-occupancy monitoring is taking place to measure in-use performance against expectation.As well as pioneering Passivhaus school construction in Scotland, Riverside Primary was also one of the first steel-framed Passivhaus projects in the whole of the UK. Steel frame construction introduces specific technical challenges, especially in terms of minimising heat loss through the frame members and guarding against any risk of interstitial condensation.Using Wraptite moves the airtightness barrier to the exterior face of the wall, avoiding complex detailing around services and other typical penetrations at the internal face. As it is also vapour permeable, Wraptite helps to achieve high standards of airtightness without increasing condensation risk in the structure.Kevin Dickson, Regional Managing Director at main contractor Robertson Construction Tayside, said:“We consistently deliver high-quality projects for our customers, and our supply chain plays a key role in that success. The membrane used, Wraptite, was part of the construction for the Passivhaus school and provided several benefits.“Membranes work best with a consistent surface, which posed a challenge given the steel-framed construction of the school. However, as a business committed to continuous improvement, we saw this as an opportunity to advance our Passivhaus knowledge and learn from this project alongside the architect Architype.”Learning lessons for future projectsA benefit of choosing Wraptite was that it supported a local supplier. The membrane was supplied by A. Proctor Group from nearby Blairgowrie, contributing to the local economy.“Architype originally specified a loose-applied, taped membrane solution,” explained Kevin Dickson, “but as a local contractor, we prioritise using a local supply chain to deliver benefits in the areas where we work, so chose A. Proctor Group and its Wraptite product. As a fully-adhered solution, it removed the need for tape, making it less labour intensive, quicker to install and more economical.”Overall, the Wraptite solution lent itself to the on-site quality checks required for Passivhaus accreditation.Writing in the Architect’s Journal, Sam Boyle, associate at Architype, said: “Technical expertise was required to ensure delivery, both in detailing and upskilling the contractor team. A collaborative and no-blame culture was fostered throughout the project by all.”As part of this, Architype presented toolbox talks as part of their project support.“Riverside Primary set the benchmark in Scotland for Passivhaus schools, and we look forward to continuing our successful delivery of Passivhaus projects for our customers,” said Kevin Dickson.

Around 11,000m² of Wraptite® – the Proctor Group’s external air barrier membrane – are being installed at Rockbrook Apartments in Sandyford, Dublin. The 428 apartments, built in two blocks and arranged around two courtyards, are all being certified to the Home Performance Index (HPI).HPI certification includes enhanced levels of airtightness, as part of the overall aim “to produce great quality homes, healthy and comfortable, with efficient use of resources, minimising waste and destruction of the environment.”Readers outside Ireland are unlikely to be familiar with HPI certification. Essentially, it is a residential equivalent to BREEAM or LEED. First trialled in 2016, the scheme is managed by the Irish Green Building Council.Demand for the certification has grown in the years since and, according to the HPI website, many developers use the certification as “a symbol of quality assurance” in their developments. In part, that is because one of the five core categories assessed for HPI certification is quality assurance – alongside environment, health and wellbeing, economic, and sustainable location.For areas of the scheme considered to be most important, mandatory requirements are set to ensure a particular level of quality and comfort is achieved. Examples of such areas include water efficiency, ventilation and thermal bridging, as well as the aforementioned enhanced airtightness.It is in this context that Wraptite has been specified and, at the time of writing, is currently being installed.Rockbrook Apartments features a concrete frame with SFS infill stud. The Wraptite membrane, which is both airtight and vapour permeable, is applied to the external face of the wall structure. In this position, the airtightness barrier is moved away from the internal services zone, which simplifies detailing and reduces the number of penetrations.At the same time, Wraptite’s vapour permeability allows the passage of moisture vapour and helps to eliminate any condensation risk in the wall.Wraptite has always been a feature of the facade specification at Rockbrook Apartments – and it was originally complemented by an internal membrane acting as a vapour control layer (VCL).“There was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing about the need for both membranes,” says Gerard Butcher, Contracts Manager at Comer Group Ireland. “Because of how Wraptite performs, we could remove the VCL and save the time and cost of fitting two different membranes.”Comer Group Ireland is the main contractor and developer, and this project represents their first time working with Wraptite. The apartments feature a lot of detailing, whether that is returning the membrane into window and door openings, sealing the ‘letterboxes’ where M&E services enter the building, or dealing with the external walkway terraces that are a feature of the design. Even with all that detailing, the installation work by specialist contractors BAMCO is progressing well.Initial airtightness results have been very good as testing has been carried out on the first completed apartments. “It’s a matter of making sure everything is insulated and sealed,” Gerard explains. “The Wraptite is very, very good, and we’ve just got to make sure we keep on top of everything.”The Proctor Group has been on hand to support the project from the beginning. Regional Sales Manager Tony Ruth has visited site multiple times, and Gerard is complimentary about the benefits of such comprehensive support.“Tony is very good and very enthusiastic. We had a few detailing issues at the start but he really helped with getting technical information to us.” As a result, the project got off on the right foot and is on track to deliver the performance needed for the HPI certification.

The heat efficiency of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in the historic city of Bath is set to be dramatically improved as a result of the introduction of Spacetherm® Multi insulation.The challenge of dealing with heating inefficiencies, major heat loss and high heating costs are a common problem with many listed buildings and solid wall dwellings.Property owner Mike Mower explains, “I obtained planning permission to insulate the top floor of my Grade II listed Georgian townhouse as it is single skin 6” Bath stone (Oolite) and very heat inefficient, all walls have the original lime render and skim and so they need to breathe. The property in Bath was built in 1818 and has been in my family for 101 years since 1919! I am the 3rd generation to live in it and it was last renovated in 1935 so it needs serious upgrading!“The architect originally specified another insulation but this would have required encroaching 100mm into the room and would necessitate moving door frames and rebuilding window reveals. After extensive research, I identified the Spacetherm Multi aerogel product from the A. Proctor Group.“The architect was so impressed by the thermal efficiency of the Spacetherm Multi. With a total thickness of 20mm when rendered, this will not encroach onto the floor space, and the door frames and windows will not need to be altered. Subsequently we included Spacetherm Multi on the planning application as an alternative to the traditional insulation originally specified, which was approved by the Conservation officer and building control.”In addition to the Spacetherm SLENTEX® A2 blanket, foil encased Spacetherm A2 (CBS) Cold Bridge Strip was also included at window and door junctions to address areas susceptible to cold bridging.Spacetherm Multi is a high-performance laminate specifically designed to be laid directly onto existing floors & walls. Spacetherm Multi consists of Spacetherm Aerogel insulation blanket bonded to a 6mm Magnesium Oxide Board.At just 16mm thick, the use of Spacetherm Multi has virtually no negative impact on floor space, making it ideal for refurbishment projects where space is at a premium.Typically, a solid wall will have a U value of around 2.1 W/m2K. Following the application of Spacetherm Multi, this can be reduced to around 0.8 W/m2K, dependent on the wall structure.Finally, Mike Mower commented “I think Spacetherm Multi is ideal for listed building insulation as it has a minimal effect on the infrastructure of the original building. It has the potential to be used extensively in old buildings such as we have in Bath where heat loss is at a maximum, the original walls need to be able to breathe when insulated and insulation has hitherto been impossible due to the visual impact encroaching on the listed building. I am also seeking planning permission to use the product to insulate the basement floor and walls.”

Spacetherm® Multi aerogel insulation solution has allowed a retrofit professional to achieve his aim of maximising thermal performance and internal space in his own renovated upstairs bathroom.Ian Hurst, Managing Director of Environmental Systems Ltd, carried out a phased retrofit of his traditionally-built home, which features solid brick external walls, a typical feature for properties constructed between 1900 and 1929. During the retrofit, Ian used his expertise to analyse products that would complement the vapour-open nature of the home’s structure.Completely remodelling the bathroom offered the opportunity to also make improvements to its thermal performance – as long as the chosen solution didn’t encroach on the available floor space too much.“The bathroom was a very cold part of the home,” said Ian. “We knew we wanted to include insulation, but we also didn’t want to compromise on losing too much floorspace which would impact on our choice of bathroom furniture.”In other areas of the house, Ian has gone down the route of using wood fibre insulation boards to deliver improved thermal efficiency from the external walls. The bathroom’s tight space meant he needed a solution that could deliver a meaningful improvement in thermal efficiency while limiting the loss of internal floor space.That is where aerogel insulation, and Spacetherm® Multi in particular, came in. Comprising aerogel insulation blanket – a material derived from silica gel and originally developed by NASA – bonded to 6mm magnesium board (MgO), the Spacetherm Multi could be installed directly to the bathroom’s single external wall and window reveals with stainless steel fixings.“When I deliver retrofit projects for my clients, simplicity is key,” said Ian. “This is why I opted to aerogel insulation, because as long as the wall was reasonably level then there was no need to use timber battens, which would have negated the space-saving benefits of the aerogel’s thermal performance.”Thanks to Ian’s knowledge and experience as a retrofit professional, he was able to easily narrow down potential insulation solutions he could use. “Understanding the differences between materials and products really helped in terms of getting the best all-round solution,” he explained. “Part of what makes retrofit so difficult is the potential for choosing unsuitable products that lead to poor performance or unnecessary compromises.”Nevertheless, Ian still found it helpful to lean on Proctor Group’s technical support to ensure he was getting the best available solution. His starting point was to try and reduce the external wall’s U-value, from a starting point of around 1.9 W/m2K, using Proctor Group’s online U-value calculator.Experimenting with the available options, Ian quickly found the required aerogel depth to achieve an appropriate U-value which didn’t take up too much space internally.“Ultimately, I swapped quite a few emails with the Proctor Group technical and sales teams,” said Ian. “They were very responsive. Every time I submitted a different U-value calculation, I got a prompt reply.”Aerogel is vapour permeable and helps walls to ‘breathe’ by allowing the passage of moisture vapour – something that is critical for properties of traditional construction. At the same time, aerogel’s hydrophobic nature means it is unaffected should any liquid water come into contact with it. To complete the retrofitted wall and maintain a vapour-open construction, Ian is finishing the MgO with a lime plaster skim.

A classic Parisian apartment is benefitting from the thermal effectiveness of the introduction of the innovative ultra-thin Spacetherm® WL insulation.Located in the 11th arrondissement in the heart of Paris on Boulevard Voltaire and overlooking the Place de la Republique, the two-bedroom, 135sqm apartment was built in the Hausmann style. Hausmann’s renovation of Paris was part of a major programme commissioned by Emperor Napoléon III in the late 19th century, resulting in the distinctive appearance of the wide avenues, parks and squares which have become associated with this beautiful city.Property owner Keirnan Murphy has made a significant investment in the renovation of the apartment to improve overall comfort, energy efficiency and to reduce heating costs.Keirnan explains, “The solid stone walls, whilst adding to the building’s charm, result in heating inefficiencies and higher heating costs. During summer the stone walls warm during the day, retaining and radiating heat throughout the night. In winter, the solid walls cool down leading to a huge increase in heating costs.We undertook lots of research on solutions for green and energy-efficient renovations. In the research, we considered products available within France and as well as those available internationally. The Spacetherm WL aerogel insulation from the A. Proctor Group was a perfect choice for the apartment. At just 13mm thickness, the Spacetherm WL fits inside the lip of our cornices, which average about 20mm. Typically the walls of these older properties are not completely flat and so the option of an ultra-thin insulation was critical. Most alternatives were thicker and would not have worked.We are very pleased with the results and we noticed that when leaning up against the Spacetherm WL you can feel your back warm against the insulation. The A. Proctor Group were extremely helpful in addressing all the questions from the architect and ourselves. They also provided comprehensive support and guidance to our builder on the installation.”Spacetherm WL is a high-performance laminate specifically designed to be fixed to the internal surfaces of existing solid walls without the need for mechanical fixings. Spacetherm WL consists of Spacetherm aerogel insulation blanket bonded to 3mm Magnesium Board (MgO), for use in applications where improved thermal performance is required with limited space.Typically, a solid wall will have a U value of around 2.1 W/m2K. Following the application of Spacetherm WL, this can be reduced to around 0.8 W/m2K, dependent on the wall structure.

A unique leisure centre project in the heart of Exeter City Centre is leading the way in Passivhaus design. For the first time, this is a project that confirms that large-scale, complex buildings can be delivered to meet the stringent Passivhaus certification requirements.

A new self-build farmhouse in the beautiful Scottish countryside has been fitted with the high-performing Wraptite air-barrier. The project is designed to Passivhaus standards by Architect Frances Strachan-Friar. Talla Fiodha (‘timber or wooden hall’ in Gaelic), Charleston Farm, near Errol, Perthshire, will be the new home for Frances and her husband.From the outset, the aim was to achieve a more sustainable design and follow a different approach from the traditional timber kit. After undertaking significant research into different types of construction, the architect selected Xilonor CLT cross-laminated timber installed by Glulam Solutions Ltd., Inverurie.Frances Strachan-Friar commented on how the selection of Wraptite has benefitted the development. “The specification of the correct type of airtightness barrier was critical in achieving thermal efficiency. Wraptite was chosen because it allows the airtightness layer to be fitted to the outside of the construction. In doing so, the external application of Wraptite provides essential protection in the form of waterproofing and weatherproofing for the CLT during the build.“The Wraptite system was great and easy to apply, especially around junctions, enabling us to seal all of the junctions completely. The use of a traditional membrane would not have given the same performance. I have previously specified products from the A. Proctor Group, but this was the first time using Wraptite. Proctors provided a comprehensive Toolbox Talk and have been a great support throughout the project.”The Wraptite system is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA. It combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. As a result, it provides high vapour permeability in a continuously sealed, airtight membrane.The high vapour permeability of the Wraptite air barrier allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion. The vapour permeability of Wraptite also allows any water vapour to escape efficiently, thereby avoiding interstitial condensation problems.Designed to replace traditional airtightness methods cost-effectively, Wraptite is a low-resistance vapour permeable air barrier, durable, flexible and lightweight, allowing for easy installation, with the added benefit of providing temporary protection against the elements during construction

The completion of a stunning new Hilton hotel at Silverstone is another step nearer and leads the way featuring the superior high-performance Wraptite external airtightness barrier.The impressive new hotel, located trackside, overlooks the starting grid for the home of the iconic British Grand Prix. Facilities include 197 guest rooms, a rooftop terrace and the offer of race-day hospitality experiences.KKA Architecture designed the hotel, with Metclad Contracts appointed as the specialist envelope contractor for the project.Wraptite airtightness membrane from the A. Proctor Group, specialists in supplying high-performance products to protect buildings, was selected by Metclad to maximise airtightness and energy efficiency, perfectly balanced with the crucial requirements of vapour permeabilityWraptite self-adhesive breather membrane is applied externally, quickly and efficiently as part of the rainscreen system. Incorporating the Wraptite System helps ensure “as-designed” performance. Its inclusion narrows the gap between asdesigned and actual energy performance whilst reducing the likelihood of possible failures to meet required airtightness levels.Traditionally air barriers have been fitted internally. The internal installation of an air barrier necessitates accommodating building services such as electrical, lighting, heating and drainage systems, thereby increasing the gap between as designed and built. However, the Wraptite membrane fully bonds externally to virtually any substrate, requiring no additional mechanical attachment, seals or tapes to suppress air leakage around junctions or penetrations.The high vapour permeability of Wraptite allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion.Wraptite is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA and combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. Quite simply, providing a winning performance in advanced membrane technology for buildings.

An experienced property developer has seen immediate benefits from using the A. Proctor Group’s external air barrier solution, Wraptite®. So good were the results of the airtightness testing at the property on Scalby Road in Scarborough that the testing company thought their equipment was broken and needed recalibrating!Chris Boyes has been developing timber framed properties on small sites since he was 21. His usual approach has been to create the airtightness line on the internal face of the building structure. This latest development saw him experiment with moving the airtightness line to the external face of the structure, applying Wraptite membrane to the walls and roof. “I’m always looking for ways to improve and simplify as much as we can,” said Chris. “Using Wraptite was a no-brainer.”The Scalby Road property features a 140mm timber stud, filled with insulation. To the outside of the stud is a sheathing board, another 50mm of rigid insulation, and the Wraptite membrane. The walls were then finished with cladding or a rendered board on battens.The Wraptite membrane continued from the walls to the pitched roof, which was finished in a metal standing seam system. Wrapping the whole building –first in insulation, and then in Wraptite – helped to reduce thermal bridging and deliver a better standard of airtightness.The membrane’s self-adhered backing makes it an excellent choice for a complete airtight envelope, as it also ensures resistance at laps against water penetration, dust, and air infiltration.“With the walls and roof covered in Wraptite, the only areas with the potential for air leakage were the junction at the ground floor, and around the windows,” explained Chris.Addressing the former simply meant ensuring the floor’s radon barrier continued up the external walls to lap with the Wraptite. To deal with the latter, Chris used Wraptite Liquid Flashing, supplied by the A. Proctor Group.That meant the only penetrations through the external airtightness line were one cable and one water pipe. This is in stark contrast to an internal airtightness line, where it’s necessary to detail around floor joist ends, and where any socket box in the wall or downlighter in the ceiling is a penetration in the airtightness layer.Chris made the decision to experiment with an external airtightness line having seen various timber frame builders in North America advocate for it as a solution: “I follow a lot of them on YouTube, because they’re experienced in building this way and have already overcome a lot of the pitfalls.”Having seen the potential benefits, Chris began researching the available options and settled on Wraptite. In particular, he was reassured by it being a Passivhaus-certified component.Nevertheless, to prepare for every eventuality, Chris had the airtightness test carried out before internal finishing was complete – just in case he had to install any airtightness measures internally. He needn’t have worried.“We normally do quite well with the internal airtightness line,” said Chris. “Trying really hard, we’ve consistently achieved results between 1.0 and 2.0 air changes per hour (ACH) at 50 Pascals pressure. On Scalby Road, using Wraptite for the first time, we achieved 0.35 ACH.”In fact, so airtight was the dwelling as constructed, that when Rydale Testing set up the blower door test to measure the airtightness, it pulled the fan right out of the opening! The test had to be set up again with the fan mechanically fixed into the opening.For Chris, the experience of changing approach to an external airtightness line was daunting at first, but the results speak for themselves: “It’s just about being educated, because doing the airtightness externally is actually so much easier. Wraptite simplifies everything and it’s a really impressive product. When we did the airtightness test and I saw the result, I was blown away.”

The specification and installation of A.Proctor Group’s Wraptite® external air barrier is helping three separate secondary school projects in Scotland to achieve the Passivhaus standard. As a result of the high-quality new school buildings, more than 4500 pupils will benefit from learning in thermally comfortable classrooms with excellent indoor air quality.