"insulation"

Originally known as Britannic House or Britannic Tower, was the former headquarters of the oil company British Petroleum, with 35 floors and 122m. Its structure began to be “outdated” with the passing of the years, while home prices in the area began a rapid ascent. In the early 90’s the oil moved to its former headquarters in Finsbury Circus. In order to protect the façade elements against moisture, driving rain and wind avoiding corrosion, insulation deterioration and mould growth, Effisus Breather FR System was applied.

As with all balcony constructions, the issue of cold-bridging (also known as thermal-bridging) must be addressed and minimised to meet the required building standards - Part L of the Building regulations being of particular relevance. The H-BAU ISOPRO® thermal insulation element from J&P solved this problem by providing structural connection between the internal concrete floor slab, and the external concrete (insitu, or precast) balcony, whilst creating a thermal break to minimise cold-bridging.

A thick tile floor covering meant a reduced floor section buildup, plus reduced construction joints to aid tiling. Ground floor 45mm Gyvlon ECO over 90mm insulation on a beam and block substrate First Floor 45mm Gyvlon ECO on a precast plank substrate. Gyvlon was used to reduce the floor build on both floors plus reducing the need for construction joints. This gave the client more flexibility on the thick floor coverings and eased installation with reduced construction joints.

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.

The client wanted the roof of this new building to not only be of the highest quality but also designed to be aesthetically pleasing and echo the ethos of the school based upon respecting your environment. Insulation needed to be incorporated into the roof build-up in order to satisfy building regulations and work hours had to be agreed to keep disruption to a minimum. The work also had to be completed to strict deadlines to ensure that the school would be open in time for the start of its inaugural term at its new location in Hazeley

This historic property is being converted into luxury apartments and in the grounds of the palace some twenty six new houses are being constructed to be architecturally in keeping with the historic main building. Taking cues from the complex roof layout of the original palace, the new houses have numerous hips, valleys, box gutters, monoridges and even turrets. The increased levels of thermal insulation required within the roof space meant that the risk of condensation occurring out of sight in the loft voids increased dramatically.

Ayrshire technical College required replacement of their rooflights which are positioned over engineering workshop areas. The designated areas required good levels of light but with high quality transmission and insulation. The college needed a solution that was easy to install and so project time managed to ensure minimised noise and disruption. A series of Multivault GRP vaults were installed covering an area of approx. 800m2 or 15% of the total roof area providing an economic and yet highly effective daylighting solution.

The intricate facade on Garden Halls was inspired by the existing large-scale Victorian and Edwardian buildings that populate Bloomsbury, such as the Russell Square Hotel and Victoria House. The windows employ a very thin profile section, achieved with Reynaers CS 38-SL systems, and have a decorated, perforated aluminium screen to the side. This uses an insulated panel that can be opened from the inside for ventilation. The lower level screens are bronze-coloured anodised aluminium, while the upper screens are powder coated.

Aughinish Alumina is the largest European refinery plant manufacturing aluminium oxide (the basic raw material required for aluminium production). After a lengthy and demanding tendering procedure for one of currently largest waste disposal projects in Europe (attended by all important world´s manufacturers of polymeric insulation materials), JUTA managed to win the tender with high-density polyethylene geomembrane JUNIFOL (thickness 1,5 and 2,0 mm, both with smooth and textured surface, roll width 8,0 m).

Good acoustics, like high quality thermal insulation, is one of the most important considerations for house builders and architects. This is because of high density living and, in particular, the popularity of sold floors. For example, one of the latest trends are concrete floors. The problem is further exacerbated by the desire for large areas of glass and the absence of soft furnishings, such as curtains and carpets. The result of all this is that absorption of sound is difficult creating an unpleasant environment. One solution is to line the ceilings with cost effective and high performance Troldtekt acoustic panels.

Oscar Iso-Mounts combine space saving with isolating acoustic technology to provide clients with the best possible ceiling acoustics and soundproofing, perfect for house/flat/apartment conversions, new builds and renovations. Commercial applications include hotels, offices, shops and restaurants. The mount fixes under existing concrete and timber joist ceilings with just one fixing saving time and money. Extensions are available for 50mm to over 1 metre voids for acoustic services and thermal insulation.

The roofs of The Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council offices had fallen into a poor condition and a large amount of standing water was threatening to leak into the offices below. With the office roof areas in such a poor state, the council turned to Polyroof to refurbish nearly 1,000 square metres of roof, split into 13 areas, before they fell into a further state of disrepair. DTL Construction, a local Polyroof Approved Contractor, were tasked with installing the Protec System, removing the issue of standing water and giving the roof a long service life, whilst giving the council peace of mind that leaks would not pose an issue in future.The standing water was cleared before the existing roof materials were stripped back in order to install the new system. This allowed a new warm-roof system to be installed, along with new cut-to-falls insulation. Polyroof’s Protec Cut-to-Falls insulation is an innovative two-layer system which doesn’t only improve thermal performance, it also directs standing water away from the roof.Following this, the BBA-approved Protec system was used to seamlessly waterproof the entirety of the office roofs. The system, once inspected by Polyropof’s Technical Services team, was issued with a 20-year guarantee, so the client could now have reassurance their roof would last for decades to come.

We have recently completed a 600m2 project in Westminster with installation by one of our main Approved Contractors, Ridgewell Flat Roofing.Specification – System UsedThis project called for extremely durable yet cost-effective waterproofing to be installed, which made the OptiTorch-Premium Bituminous Felt System the ideal choice. Having been used in the roofing industry for over 50 years, felt has been consistently developed and improved, and still remains one of the most popular systems available.OptiTorch-Premium bituminous felt is a high-performance waterproofing system that can be installed year-round, with excellent flexibility at temperatures as low as -25oC. This system provides long lasting resistance against UV rays and even contains special additives to protect against root growth.There was also a lot of detailing work and some gutter repairs required, so OptiFlex-Rapid PMMA Liquid was used for these parts of the project to ensure a completely watertight and visually appealing result.OptiFlex-Rapid is a quick-curing PMMA liquid waterproofing system with a typical curing time of just 20 minutes! It is cold-applied and is reinforced with 150gsm matting for extra resilience. OptiFlex-Rapid can be applied year-round and is a great choice for detailing and repair work as it can be applied directly onto most surfaces without the need for primer, which can often save time and money!The ProjectThis project was a 600m2 warm roof design with a standard build-up including 120mm tissue-faced PIR insulation, and also consisting of: OSA5 Primer, Vapour Control Layer, Insulation Adhesive, Insulation, Premium Self-Adhesive Underlay and Techno58 SBS Capsheet.Ben Ridgewell, owner of Ridgewell Flat Roofing, took on the project with Grant Jones (Co-Director) and his team, and completed the installation to their consistently high standards with an impeccable finish.The ResultsThe overall completed look of this project is very tidy and aesthetically pleasing – thanks to Ben and his team for a great installation, including an OptiTec warranty of 20 years to ensure peace of mind for the building owner for years to come.

Nestled in a secluded location, the village of Lavenham has been a picturesque place to live since its mediaeval origins. But with housing supply limited within the bounds of the existing village, in 2016 residents voted for a new development to go ahead – providing it was in-keeping with their historic homes.The designs of The Paddocks’ 25 new properties therefore draw on influences from the Tudor and Regency homes and cottages already lining the streets of the village, reflecting their style and materials. Ranging from two to four-bedrooms, each home has been gifted its own individuality, with traditional finishes, such as rendering and weatherboarding linking them back to the original properties. Attention to the quality and scale of landscaping around the site has also been factored in to mirror the countryside that embraces the site.However, while the new homes certainly have similar characteristics to the houses already in the village, they do not share their energy inefficiency. Beneath the traditional finishes are contemporary homes with ambitions to keep carbon emissions to a minimum. To do this, Hartog Hutton decided to take a two-pronged approach to reducing CO2 emissions: by installing solar panels and electric car charging points, and by using thermally insulative fabrics, including blockwork.For the structural foundations, the housebuilder therefore turned to Lignacite’s 100mm and 140mm Lignacrete blocks, which are designed for high-strength uses. With an A1 fire rating, Hartog Hutton could also ensure that future residents would have an additional layer of fire protection.Lignacite Ash GP blocks then form the bulk of the buildings. With strong and durable characteristics, these blocks are ideal for all kinds of applications. More importantly, they also have great thermal insulation of 0.298 m2K/W (for 1400mm blocks at 3% moisture), which satisfies all the latest requirements of the Building Regulations Approved Document L.The remainder of each structure uses Lignacite’s Fibo 850/950, which forms the substrate for the weatherboarding and rendering. They provide an excellent surface for these finishes while also adding to the overall thermal insulation of the property. A final advantage is that these blocks are extremely lightweight and can be put into place one-handed.

Preserving the unique charm and historical significance of heritage buildings is a top priority for architects and specifiers. However, incorporating modern advancements and energy-efficient solutions into these structures can often pose challenges. In this case study, we highlight the successful collaboration between VGUK and Kingsrock Joinery in restoring a heritage building in London, where LandVac Vacuum Insulated Glazing played a pivotal role in transforming the existing heritage windows.TL:DRHeritage Building Restoration London: Transforming Heritage Windows with LandVac Vacuum GlazingProject Overview:Heritage building restoration in collaboration with Kingsrock JoineryIntegration of LandVac Vacuum Insulated Glazing into heritage windowsOvercoming resistance from planners for energy-efficient solutionsAchievements and Benefits:Visual Impact: Stunning visuals of heritage vacuum glazing units in the restored building Authentic and visually appealing windows that maintain the building's characterThermal Performance: U-value achieved: approximately 0.95 W/m2K Narrow unit width of 8.3mm Exceptional insulation properties reduce heat transfer Improved energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption Enhanced occupant comfort and thermal comfortConclusion:Successful integration of LandVac Vacuum Glazing in heritage windowsOvercame initial scepticism from plannersStunning windows with improved thermal performance and visual appealContributed to energy efficiency and occupant comfortA collaborative success with Kingsrock Joinery in preserving heritage while embracing modern advancementsProject Overview:Working closely with Kingsrock Joinery, we embarked on a mission to preserve the heritage of a remarkable building while embracing modernity. The challenge we faced was the initial resistance from planners who believed that vacuum glazing would clash with the traditional aesthetic of the building. However, Jeremy Murphy, the owner of Kingsrock, strongly believed in the harmonious integration of modern technology with the authentic look and feel of traditional architecture.Solving Resistance with Stunning Results:To address the planners' concerns, we proposed the use of flush casement windows glazed with LandVac Vacuum Insulated Glazing. By employing toughened LandVac Vacuum Glazing, Kingsrock was able to achieve a slight distortion that added a touch of authenticity to the windows. The final result was a perfect blend of modernity and heritage, enhancing the visual appeal of the building while meeting the required energy efficiency standards.Visual Impact:The restored building stands as a testament to the successful integration of LandVac Vacuum Glazing into heritage windows. The stunning visuals showcase the seamless combination of modern technology and the architectural authenticity of the building. The heritage vacuum glazing units perfectly preserve the character of the structure while providing enhanced thermal performance.Thermal Performance:Beyond its remarkable visual impact, LandVac Vacuum Glazing delivered outstanding thermal performance. With a U-value of approximately 0.95 W/m2K, the narrow unit width of 8.3mm ensures minimal heat transfer between the interior and exterior. This significant improvement in thermal insulation not only enhances energy efficiency but also contributes to increased occupant comfort and reduced energy consumption.Conclusion:The successful integration of LandVac Vacuum Glazing into heritage windows for the restoration of a London heritage building stands as a testament to the possibilities of merging modern technology with architectural preservation. By overcoming initial resistance from planners, we achieved stunning windows that seamlessly blend heritage aesthetics with exceptional thermal performance. The project not only enhances the visual appeal of the building but also contributes to energy efficiency and occupant comfort.We extend our gratitude to Kingsrock Joinery for their collaboration and expertise in manufacturing and installing these outstanding heritage vacuum glazing units. Together, we have demonstrated that preserving our architectural heritage can coexist harmoniously with the benefits of modern advancements in glazing technology.

Ancon TeploTie, the innovative low thermal conductivity Wall Tie, has been used in the UK’s first retrofit to achieve zero-carbon Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. TeploTie wall ties are ideal for retrofit projects as they can be resin-fixed into existing walls. The project involved the refurbishment of a semi-detached home, built in the 1840s with solid brick walls. The front elevation is internally insulated to preserve the original brickwork. The U-value of the walls is now 0.11W/mK2, 16 times better than before.

Striking the optimum balance between aesthetics and fire safety in glazed partitions is a reality with new additions to the SYSTEMGLAS® range from passive fire protection market leader Promat UK. Utilising the proven fire resistant material PROMATECT® H, two new Promat SYSTEMGLAS® options give designers and contractors the scope to create frameless, butt-jointed glazed screens that maximise light transmission, whilst offering fire integrity and insulation (EI) fire protection for 30 or 60 minutes.

Rav and Joti Dhuna have refurbished and built homes for many clients through their company, the Design, Renovation and Build Team. In 2019, the couple put their skills to use redesigning their own family home and office in Farnham Royal, South Buckinghamshire.Using AWS 70.HI highly thermally insulated aluminium window systems, ADS 75 HD.HI large aluminium doors, ASS 70 FD aluminium bi-folding door systems and AWS 70 SC aluminium window systems to stunning effect

To maximise animal health and performance at Knaptoft Farm, near Lutterworth, Eternit fibre cement roofing sheets were specified for all livestock buildings, due to the high levels of insulation and vapour permeability that they provide. As a local councillor, farm owner Neville Hall was also acutely aware of the visual impact that his new buildings would have and wanted the site to fit in well with the local countryside. To ensure this, he specified Eternit Profile 6 in Farmscape Anthracite and is very happy with the building’s final appearance.

The tower original name was Portsmouth Millenium Tower, designed as a monument to commemorate the Millennium celebrations in 2000. The project was conceived in 1995, and planned to open in 1999. However, due to political, financial, contractual and constructions problems, the project just began in 2001, and was completed in 2005. The tower was also renamed to Spinnaker Tower, because its construction was not completed for the Millennium as planned. In order to protect the façade elements against moisture, driving rain and wind avoiding corrosion, insulation deterioration and mould growth, Effisus Breather FR System was applied.

In the heart of the London’s Technology District, this projects, is one of the most ambitious projects to be built. It’s a vibrant community of successful start-ups and established digital corporations. Revolutionizing the workplace, the concept of designing new office buildings inside industrial spaces, is based on the principles of reducing lighting, heating and cooling, allowing maximum flexibility and adaptability, allied with excellent decoration and design. In this project, the Effisus Breather+ breathable membrane was chosen in order to assure the façade’s watertightness, whilst also permitting aeration of its components, such as the insulation boards.

This elegant collection of apartments will benefit from far-reaching views towards the City, Regent’s Park and Hyde Park. With architecture by renowned architects Squire & Partners, this development comprises an approved scheme of 672 residential apartments with 24-hour concierge and business lounge, 25m pool, spa, gym, cinema room, entrance lobbies and receptions, private gardens. Servicing and parking for 286 vehicles is arranged over two basement levels. Effisus Vapour FR membrane Class A1 was chosen to protect the insulation and building interior.

Providing an ideal location for both work and leisure, Centenary Quay is a short commute from Southampton’s historic city centre and perfectly located within easy reach of a wealth of bars, shops and nearby restaurants to ensure everything you could want is at hand. Effisus Breather FR-B System was used in this amazing development, ensuring the protection of the building against driving rain and moisture preventing future corrosion, insulation deterioration and mould growth at the same time it increases the building energy efficiency and minimizes the condensation risk.

VICTORIA VIEWS - ARUNDEL CRESCENT DEVELOPMENTS, PLYMOUTH CLIENT: TIMBER PAK (SW) LTD PRODUCTS USED: PROTECT TF200 THERMO PROTECT TF INTERFOIL PROTECT VC FOIL ULTRA THE CHALLENGE Timber PAK (SW) Ltd, a specialist in closed panel timber frame manufacture from a dedicated factory in Ivybridge, Devon, was given the contract to construct the apartments in structural timber. This involved the production of closed and insulated wall panels, followed by delivery and installation on-site, ensuring strict build tolerances and timescales were met.

Standing at almost 310 metres, the viewing platform at the Shard is a `must-visit` for Londoners and indeed tourists, offering breath taking views across London and beyond. The architect required a support system that delivered perfect levelling for this iconic site, and the obvious choice was the Buzon DPH pedestal system. The end result was a millimetre perfect installation, laid onto falling insulation. The second criteria was the ability to support high live loads due to the heavy foot traffic, and with the DPH offering in excess of two tons per pedestal…the problem was solved.

Carlos Place in Mayfair, London, was originally developed by the Grosvenor family. Opulent number 14, also known as Mayfair House, was built by the Holloway Brothers in 1921 to the designs of Wimperis and Simpson. TRC Windows were commissioned by architects Derek Williams Ltd to design, supply and install 95 Heritage Box Sash Windows, casement windows and doors to closely match the original yet deliver modern thermal insulation. In total we used approximately 890 individual Slimlite double glazed units for the project, all in oak frames.

The O2 arena's roof needed state-of-the-art acoustic engineering to eliminate virtually all nuisance ambient noise (bass thumping) outside the arena contributing to fantastic acoustics inside the structure.The complex roof design featured several layers of different density barrier materials to deaden even the lowest bass frequencies, all carried on special acoustic deck structures. The structural deck troughs were filled with ROCKWOOL RW4 insulation, with ROCKWOOL Acoustic membrane over and a 50mm Rigidal intermediate deck.

The Erratics Exhibition features an impressive 6.5m by 5.5m sculpture, created by Lubna Chowdhary, who fabricated a stunning giant modular sculpture using ROCKWOOL® RockLap heating and ventilation pipe (H&V) sections.Lubna Chowdary chose ROCKWOOL RockLap sections as it was a material that could be easily formed and constructed into more complex shapes with minimal tools and processes.Traditionally used for heating and ventilation pipes in a range of settings, ROCKWOOL RockLap sections have been proven to deliver thermal insulation performance.

Over 2,000m2 of Tata Steel’s insulated roof and wall panels were used in the construction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the development. Around 1,000m2 of Trisomet® 120mm panels in Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® pre-finished steel in Goosewing Grey were used on the roof and nearly 1,100m2 of Trisomet® 80mm and Trimapanel® micro-rib 90mm panels in Colorcoat Prisma® in Ephyra were used on the wall elevations. The wall elevations were finished off with Anthracite soffits.

The innovative design of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdansk, Poland, was achieved with the use of cutting-edge construction solutions, including a glass ceiling. Vetrotech Saint Gobain has always lived up to the expectations of architects and engineers in terms of innovative aesthetics. These principles were also followed in this case where several hundred m² of glass ceiling can endure the load of 5 kN/m2 while offering uncompromised fire-resistance. Thermal insulation ensures that the ceiling’s characteristics remain unaltered regardless of the weather conditions.

The project was to refurbish the roof and improve the drainage and insulation and bring it up to current building control standards. A thermographic survey of the roof was carried out by IKO, which confirmed that it was sound enough to have an overlay of IKO UXPL bituminous membrane rather than stripping it back and rebuilding. IKO UPXL was primarily chosen by the client for the 30 year guarantee. One section of the roof to be repaired was on top of dormers. Flame-free IKO UPXL membranes were used because of the potential fire risk of the abutting pitched tiled roof.

Damage from the build up of moisture results in mould, mildew and condensation on windows and in the loft space. Additionally, where there is a moisture problem in the wall cavity, damage readily occurs to the insulation and wall ties, affecting wall plates, the timber frame itself and installed joinery. Preventing this from occuring is obviously a priority in the minds of all designers and builders interested in quality construction. SureCav Provides the Solution. By building with the SureCav panels instead of a using a block leaf you are providing a barrier to protect from wind driven rain.

This was a large roof terrace on a private domestic project. The area was flooded and had needed to be re-laid with waterproofing and a significant fall constructed into the deck to allow the often considerable amounts of rainwater to escape the roof deck. The contractor asked Wallbarn for a suitable but cost effective solution so we recommended Wallbarn 9mm rubber supports along with levelling shims. The area was re-waterproofed in the inverted waterproofing method, the membrane being covered with rigid insulation boards and a loose laid geotextile fabric to act as a separation layer .

The starting point: an awkwardly shaped lot High above the city centre, halfway between the mountains and the sea, there is a building that nobody can fail to notice: 'U Pavayun' proudly showcases the principality’s official colours – white and red – in a way uniquely its own. By combining vivid colours inspired by nature with a bold and modern architectural concept, the building maximises the visual impact of its ventilated façades. To add thermal efficiency to the cladding’s enduring beauty, external insulation has been integrated into the façade system.

This luxurious residential project incorporated a double level basement with the lower level extending out underneath the garden. In regards to the below ground structure Knowles & Associates Ltd undertook the following works: Excavation and formation of a basement to footprint and under 7 metres below garden level. Two/three stage underpinning. Internal steel staircase frame. Piling. Mass excavation of spoil. Construction of rear extension. Below slab drainage. Cavity drain Waterproofing. Insulation and screed. Swimming pool shell within lower level basement.

The “Wohnpark in der südlichen Luisenstrasse” residential project was built in Karlsruhe in 2015. At the client’s request, architects AGP Generalplaner GmbH designed the building with enhanced impact sound insulation. Schöck Tronsole® was chosen as the impact sound insulation system for the stairs.Spacious rental and owner-occupied apartments with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms were designed on a floor area totalling 18,000 m². All of the stairs in the buildings comply with the requirements of soundproofing level III as per VDI 4100 or DEGA class B. Specifically, the measured standard impact sound level of the stairs and landings ranges between 32 dB and 38 dB. These levels are about 10 dB better than the required standard impact sound level of 46 dB. By comparison: A reduction of 10 dB is equivalent to reducing the volume by half. The residents in the complex in Karlsruhe will notice this difference quite clearly. By not being able to impact noise from the stairs. The stairs are soundproofed using Schöck Tronsole® type F on the ceiling slabs while Tronsole® type Z separates the landings from the stairs and outer walls. The supporting element for the Tronsole® type Z was cemented into the 26 cm landing back at the prefabricating plant. Accordingly, the Tronsole® type Z wall element was installed and type F fastened to the landings and stairs on site.