"insulation"

Tim Paul from Rick Mather comments: 'Balconies offer practical and aesthetic advantages for residents, but they have not always been a popular choice in the context of high efficiency Passivhaus design. However, the advanced technology and superior performance of the Schöck Isokorb® XT range offers such a high level of insulation, that we had no problem in incorporating balcony design into the Chester Balmore project'

The Cadet 3 from Premier Loft Ladders is now available on NBS Plus. The wooden loft ladder is available in a range of standard sizes and is supplied ready to fit. Also, it features attractive styling with concealed hinges and white trap-door, as well as thermal insulation and an airtight seal. Please visit our web site for further details and links to the NBS product specification.

Battle of Britain Memorial - The WingBauderThermofol PVC single ply waterproofing systemSynopsisThe client wanted the new visitor centre building to replicate the shape of the iconic spitfire wing and to be waterproofed with a roofing system that would be aesthetically pleasing due to its high visibility. A particularly challenging element of the installation was the amount of intricate detailing requirements due to the elliptical shape and 5⁰ pitch of the wing areas. The waterproofing system needed to incorporate insulation that would achieve a 0.16 U-value and the memorial site had to remain open throughout the works causing logistical challenges.Bauder Building BoardProject:Battle of Britain MemorialLocation:Capel-le-FerneRoof Area:700m²Specifier:Godden Allen LawnApproved Contractor:Byford Roofing ServicesThe specificationBauder’s anthracite coloured Thermofol single ply system was specified because it is high-quality, long lasting and with the addition of welded roof profiles gives the appearance of a standing seam metal roof.The result The system build-up included Bauder’s 160mm PIR Insulation for superior thermal performance and all deliveries were timed as not to conflict with vehicles moving in and out of the facility. Despite the challenges encountered the project was completed in time for its official opening by the Queen in March 2015.System installedBauder Thermofol PVC single ply waterproofing system1 Bauder THERMOFOL U15 FRA 1.5mm thick, reinforced PVC waterproofing membrane. Stated within BBA certificate 06/4354, the Thermofol PVC waterproofing membranes have a service life in excess of 35 years. 2 Bauder PIR MTissue-faced flat board insulation, benefitting from a zero ODP and a Green guide rating of ‘A’.3 BauderTEC KSD FBSA 2.5mm depth, self-adhesive air & vapour control layer with a mica finish.

Rainscreen cladding specialists Metalline are the first to use an innovative stone textured finish on their range of CWCT certified Unity rainscreen cladding panels. The finish, which to the naked eye looks like stone is a perfect substitute for natural stone cladding panels and offers a range of cost saving benefits. The use of aluminum also offers the architect more design options. Metalline, who have worked closely with contractors Alumet on a number of capital projects in London presented their new finish to the design team and outlined the huge cost savings that could be achieved by specifying their aluminium Unity rainscreen panel with the new stone textured PPC applied. The external façade when completed will feature over 3000 panels, both flat and curved in stone white and include fittings and bracketry for a unitized system. This ability to mirror a natural finish on aluminium Unity rainscreen panels has led to a number of interesting approaches from developers looking to enhance the external envelope of their project. Metalline’s expertise in fascia finishes extends beyond Polyester Powder Coating applications. Taking advantage of the latest research and development into anodised finishes has seen Metalline engaged by a number of leading architects and contractors to advise and supply fabricated aluminium with an anodised finish whose colour is guaranteed for the life cycle of a building. Available in a full range of Anolok anodising finishes, specifiers are now able to enhance the aesthetic look and feel of a building’s façade in a choice of colours including Natural Silver, Bronzes from light to dark, Regency Gold 1 & 2, Black and specialist Anolok anodising II Blue-Grey and Stone-Grey finishes. The Metalline range of Unity rainscreen panels and Ultima insulated panels are made from solid aluminium and use an A1 rated non – combustible insulation core on their insulated panels to help meet the latest requirements in fire safety.

Container City is an outstanding example of upcycling architecture in the London Docklands. The buildings are constructed from old shipping containers that have been refurbished and then fixed and welded together, creating an innovative modular building solution that houses offices.The roofs had been waterproofed with an EPDM membrane as part of an inverted roof design, however due to failings within the roof coverings leaks were occurring.It was also felt that the inverted roof insulation was unable to provide satisfactory thermal performance, leading to excessive fuel bills during winter. The architect responsible for finding a solution used Polyroof’s Solution Finder Tool to quickly find a recommendation for improving the thermal properties whilst providing long-term waterproof protection. Equipped with the key information needed, the architect specified the Protec Warm Roof System for the roof refurbishment works.Polyroof Technical Services carried out a full technical survey of the existing roof to identify all existing issues and provide a full set of recommendations. One of the key drivers for the refurbishment was the ability to easily access the roof membrane to carry out regular cleaning and maintenance works, so the specification included for converting the roofs from an inverted roof to a warm roof design.Polyroof Approved Contractor A R Roofing Ltd began by stripping away the old inverted roof components and the failed EPDM membrane to expose the metal roofs of the containers below. A self-adhesive vapour barrier was then laid onto the metal decks and Polyroof RES Insulation (T&G) was bonded on top using PU adhesive. Lastly, the Protec system was laid direct to the insulation boads to create a seamless, smooth and long-lasting finish that came with a 20 year insurance backed guarantee. This striking piece of upcycled architecture now has a roofing solution to match the innovation behind its creation.

The drive towards cutting emissions and the enhanced focus on sustainability means buildings constructed to Passivhaus standards are becoming increasingly popular. Choosing the right products for these building projects is essential, especially when aiming to achieve Passivhaus certification.Premier Loft Ladders offer three loft ladders that pass the strict requirements for passive building standards and are certified by the Passivhaus Institut; the Designo, Klimatec 160 and LWT. They are designed to offer high thermal insulation and an airtight seal. However, what differentiates them from other loft ladders are the extra steps that have been taken to minimise thermal bridging.Our entry-level Passivhaus certified loft ladder is the LWT, which features a folding wooden ladder and is available in a range of standard sizes. It boasts an impressive U-Value of 0.51 W/m2K. The Designo is supplied made-to-measure to suit a wide range of aperture dimensions and ceilings heights of up to 3.3m. It also has an innovative 6-point locking mechanism for a window-tight seal all the way around the hatch, as well as a patented sealing and insulation tape pre-assembled to the outside edges of the hatch box, which offers an airtight seal with the building.For more demanding situations, the Klimatec 160 offers not only superb thermal insulation and an airtight seal, but it also benefits from 30-minute fire protection. Furthermore, the high strength steel ladder is finished in a durable powder-coat and is rated for up to 250 kg per tread. As such, the Klimatec 160 is an ideal solution for commercial and industrial use.For further details, please visit our web site: https://www.premierloftladders.co.uk/passive-house-applications/  Alternately if you would like to discuss your project, please call us on call 0345 9000 195 or send an email to sales@premierloftladders.co.uk.

Hexagon TowerBauderflex bituminous waterproofing system SynopsisHexagon Tower is a specialist science and technology facility located in North Manchester. The roofs of the laboratories were experiencing water ingress due to poor original detailing and aged interfaces. Whilst looking to replace the failing roof, the client also wanted to upgrade the insulation to increase the U-value and improve the appearance of the rooftop using a trusted system. Bauder was selected as the supplier due to its comprehensive service offering, which includes detailed report, bespoke specification, project advice and ongoing inspections to ensure a full system guarantee can be issued.Bauder Building BoardProject:Hexagon TowerLocation:ManchesterProject Type:RefurbishmentRoof Size:6,000m²Client:IF Building Consultancy Approved Contractor:BBR RoofingThe specificationWhilst looking to replace the failing roof, the client also wanted to upgrade the insulation to increase the U-value and improve the appearance of the rooftop using a trusted system.Project challengesThe building was occupied by employees during the works with multiple trades onsite. Bauder provided a system and installation methodology, to keep disruption to a minimum for both the employees within the building and the residents of the surrounding areas. The sensitive nature of the work being carried out within the building meant that mechanical and electrical equipment could not be switched off for more than a few hours at a time.The resultElements of the existing roof surface were removed, details modified and then a Bauderflex system incorporating vapour control layer, 120mm PIR FA-TE insulation and two-layer bitumen waterproofing, with a brown finish was installed. BBR Roofing installed the system, finishing the roof area with expertly installed complex detailing around columns, windows and the area protected with a new free-standing guard rail. System installedBauderflex waterproofing system1 BauderFLEX K4ETorch applied, elastomeric bitumen capping sheet2 BauderTEC Sprint DUOSelf-adhesive bitumen underlayer3 BauderPIR FA-TEFlatboard insulation faced on both sides with aluminium foil for optimum thermal efficiency4 BauderTEC KSD FBSSelf-adhesive air and vapour control layer with mica finishAdvocacyTom Frankel, Director, IF Building Consultancy:“Thank you for making this project as seamless as possible. Your continued support has reaffirmed my position that you are the 'go to guys' for flat roofing. A job well done.”

Fed up of renting in London, Joe and Lina decided to build their own on a tiny 38m² plot of land in East London. With a budget of just under £200k they set about delivering Joe’s innovative concept for a six half-floor house with floating concrete slab, designed to maximise the space into a 83m² home, all whilst being filmed by Channel 4’s Grand Designs. However, things soon went south…Within weeks of the project beginning in October 2015, rogue contractors had performed a disastrous basement excavation attempt contrary to the Structural Engineer’s instructions, leaving unsupported banks of earth falling in beneath the street and shutters bursting inwards under the weight of the concrete.This first attempt, described as “spectacularly shambolic” by Kevin McCloud, more than doubled Joe and Lina’s budget for the excavation from £48k to £100k, and caused months of delays in order to get the project back on track.Having already contacted Newton Waterproofing Systems to consult on the poor workmanship, Joe and Newton soon determined that if he were to save his home and get it out of the ground, he would need a specialist contractor to actively communicate, collaborate and listen to him as both the engineer and client.MJ Rooney Construction came on board as contractors in November 2015, and following discussions to determine exactly what was required, modelled the entire project in 4D to ensure that all potential difficulties were solved before work began.With the right lines of communication in place, work recommenced in late January 2016, with the first challenge being to make safe a 3.5 metre high bank of unsupported earth with sheet piles, before creating a new and waterproof structural shell of reinforced concrete.With the shell of the structure in place, Newton and MJ Rooney’s next challenge was a much more welcome one, as they created a bespoke waterproofing solution to accommodate Joe’s ingenious design for a suspended reinforced slab that acted as both a floor and a prop force against the lateral pressure from the basement walls.This entire slab rested on brackets designed by Joe and his structural engineer, insulating it from the external walls by ensuring minimal contact, and only making contact through insulated blocks with enough compressive strength to take the vertical loading. The design also created a cavity around the slab that can be fully insulated, allowing the slab to be used as a thermal mass inside the building without having to insulate the entire external envelope.Working closely with Joe, a solution was devised that enabled the continuity of the waterproofing behind the brackets without compromising the structural design.

Accoya, coated with Teknos Paint SystemNORclad supplied almost 3000/LM of FSC Certified Accoya for the recent Dartford Valley Rugby Club project – the Accoya was all pre-coated with a Teknos Paint System.The dimensional stability of Accoya® makes it a great base to select for timber cladding and façades where aesthetics, less frequent maintenance, and insulation value are key factors.

Armourplan PVC and Recticel Insulation by SIG Design Technology were selected for a 12,000 m2 roof to a bottling plant in a rural location on the outskirts of an historical Derbyshire spa town, known as Project Merlin. The FMCG company chose to build the new facility away from the site of the natural spring, piping the water some two miles out of town to this green field bottling and distribution site.

Rather than eliminating external noise, secondary glazing manufactured by Granada Secondary Glazing has been installed to keep the noise in at a university’s music department and prevent disturbance to nearby residents.Although more commonly specified to reduce noise intrusion in buildings, secondary glazing is equally effective at stopping excessive sound levels leaking out due to its superior acoustic insulation performance.

One of the tallest new buildings recently added to the Bournemouth skyline has been completed with a combination of external wall insulation and render products supplied by Sto. The company’s StoTherm Mineral M system, with Sto-Rotofix Plus mechanical fixings and StoSilco exterior render were all used on the new Skyline student accommodation building, which achieved a BREEAM ’Very Good’ rating.

SubFloor flooring was used to help renovate, raise and ventilate a 700 m² floor into a Nursery near Gothenburg, Sweden.The Subfloor ventilation system was ideal for this nursery, as it allowed for multiple floor height adjustments and for ventilation installations under the floor. Associated floor ventilation material such as ducts, air distribution strips, fans, etc. was also provided. The negative pressure the ventilation generates under the floor creates a fresh and healthy indoor environment.This simple and elegant solution raised and levelled the floor to allow for installations and insulation. The joist and screw system allows for quick and easy assembly so that the floor can reach the desired height.Products:Steel Joist 45x30x3800 mmSubFloor Screw 100 mmInsulation Bearer 45 mmHeight Variation: 46 - 100 mmJoist separation: c/c 600 mmSystem Weight - c/c 600 mm: 2.06 kg/m²Materials:Steel, Z100 GalvFibre-reinforced polypropylenePoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm): Between screws over joist - 7.08 kNOver screws over joist - 8.78 kN

Located in the heart of the vast new Wembley Park regeneration project, the two residential buildings that make up the Landsby East and Landsby West development (Danish for village) are contemporary in design, with apartment interiors that continue the Scandinavian theme. Externally there are roof terraces and first floor level podium gardens, along with 280 generous balconies that add a stylish and aesthetic feel to the exterior finish of the building.A key element of the balconies was the installation of Isokorb® T structural break units from Schöck. The Schöck Isokorb® T units are structural, but their other long-term purpose is to minimise the risk of thermal bridging. Ineffective insulation at the connection points means local heat loss, resulting in more energy being required to maintain the internal temperature of the building. This is a major consequence of thermal bridging, but there are other issues too. Low internal surface temperatures in the area of the thermal bridge can cause condensation, which leads not only to structural integrity problems with absorbent materials such as insulation products or plasterboard, but the potentially serious occurrence of mould growth. So for any project involving balcony connectivity the prevention of thermal bridging is a critical issue.

Outdoor life tends to take place inside the perimeter of block buildings in towns and cities. An inner courtyard becomes the outdoor area of choice, shielded from the noise from the roads that surround the building. The Wright Place project involved the installation of 60 balconies that were also planned as design elements. Schöck Isokorb® type KS was used for both structural stability and thermal insulation.Precast balconies as design elementsA total of 300 Schöck Isokorb® elements – between four and six per balcony, depending on size – were installed in the building structure, with some welded to the reinforcement to prevent tipping during concrete application. The Isokorb® used was type KS from Schöck's standard range, which functions as a load bearing thermal insulation element, eliminating thermal bridges between reinforced concrete and steel structures and thus preventing mould formation at the critical joints. The Schöck Isokorb® allows steel and metalworkers to prefabricate to a large degree, thus reducing installation times to a minimum. Its superb load bearing capacity offers enormous scope for balcony design while ensuring outstanding structural stability.

Tata Steel’s building envelope products have played a key role in the delivery of the first phase of the Port One giant e-commerce warehousing and distribution storage complex, and were incorporated into Unit No.4, a new 143,000 sq ft purpose-built unit, designed for Ipswich-based FDS Corporation Limited, a Chinese fulfilment house operator specialising in online retail. This building is 17 metres high and has been designed to store goods on pallets and on racking nine levels high.The external cladding solution for Unit No.4 used over 17,000m2 of our Trisomet® and Trimapanel® insulated panel systems. Around 11,472m2 of Trisomet® 60mm manufactured using Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® was supplied for the roof in Anthracite Matt, as stipulated by the planning consent; while the external building envelope was constructed using over 6,000m2 of Trisomet® 40mm and Trimapanel® 120mm insulated panels manufactured using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel. The wall elevations used a contrasting colour mix of Alaska Grey, Anthracite, Oyster Slate Grey and White.

With London’s new ‘Elizabeth Line’ open, Farringdon had been designed to create accessible, safe and comfortable spaces that people can move through easily and efficiently - with sound absorbing insulation playing a key role in minimising station noise for passengers and staff.The solution was the installation of ROCKWOOL RW3 Slabs 75mm thick incorporated in the perforated glass fibre and reinforced concrete tunnel linings of the platform and access areas.

The roof of this listed building had been renovated multiple times in the past. The roof was originally built to be highly vapour-proof, as was the standard at the time. Solving the construction physics requirements was the job of Buschina & Partner Ziviltechniker GmbH. The particular challenge lay in the fact thatthe outer shell of the building cannot be altereda solution that worked from a construction physics perspective had to be found for the attic conversion with interior thermal insulation

Located on the edge of Bodmin Moor is the historic Bodmin Jail, a ruinous prison transformed into an award-winning hotel.The legacy of the historic Bodmin JailLocated on the edge of Bodmin Moor is the historic Bodmin Jail. Built in the 1770s by military engineer Sir John Call and prisoners, the jail was considered a milestone in prison design and reform. Built using 20,000 tonnes of local Delank granite and stone, Bodmin Jail featured individual cells, segregated areas for male and female prisoners, hot water and light. This reformed design also included open spaces for prisoners to live and work for an income. Nearly 100 years later, the jail was declared unfit for purpose. As a result, an entirely new prison is constructed with limestone mined from the nearby moor. Evolving with the ideals of prison reform at the time, this 'total institution' featured 220 cells with separate wings for men and women, a chapel and a new area for debtors. Officially decommissioned in 1927 and sold at auction to demolition men, the jail survived attempts to blow it up, with the nearly metre-thick and formidable walls proving too challenging to deconstruct. Despite various incarnations since its closure, it wasn't till 2004 that works would begin to restore and reinvent a few areas of the jail into a historical exhibition. Rebuilding a remarkable tourist destinationIn 2015 Bodmin Jail would see its next evolution, with a £40 million investment to create a state-of-the-art attraction, four-star hotel, and restaurant within its Grade II listed facade.  The ChallengeThe project presented many challenges. Due to demolition attempts, large areas of the jail had been without a roof for nearly a century, resulting in large sections falling to ruin. With exposure to the elements, what remained was heavily saturated with water, with ivy and other biological materials spread across the remaining masonry. Further, pigeons and multiple species of bats were now occupying the former cells, hibernating behind the plaster on the walls.Technical and aesthetic considerationsKeeping the history of the building and as many original features as possible was key to the project. From a technical perspective, protecting the historic fabric while significantly improving the walls' thermal performance was imperative. To successfully convert the heavily saturated jail cells into luxury hotel rooms, the team focused on how to manage moisture efficiently. Further, the solution needed to accommodate the hustle and bustle of a busy hotel and withstand a knock or two from guests' suitcases while maintaining a sophisticated feel.Modern insulation systems had the severe risk of restricting moisture movement, which would risk damage to the historic fabric and cause mould and other moisture-related issues. In addition, organic systems, such as woodfibre and cork, would be unlikely to cope with the extremely high moisture content of the walls without the fear of interstitial condensation and rot.The solutionWorking closely with the project team, Cornerstone's Insulating Render was chosen for the jail's internal rendering. Manufactured with St. Astier Lime, recycled aggregates and additives, Insulating Render would be highly breathable and flexible whilst still providing the durability required. Additionally, as a mineral-based render, the lack of organic content meant that the render would not break down under extremely high moisture loads. The next challenge was approaching the 100,000 tonnes of render to be applied. With pressing timelines, Insulating Render would allow the team to work quickly and apply thicker, significantly reducing the application time required. Designed with lightweight features, Insulating Render could be applied directly onto the stonework and built out in depths of up to 50mm per pass and over 70mm as a total depth, with just a week between coats. The walls were either left bare or finished with Cornish Lime's CLM66 lime putty plaster for the final finish.To ensure the jail's characterful stonework received the attention and durability it deserved, a mortar sample was tested to determine the binder and aggregate type. Once the analysis was complete, a mortar was designed and developed to match the original colour found within the masonry and used extensively for internal and external re-pointing.ResultsDue to Cornerstone Insulating Render's porosity, the render began to pull water out of the background substrate, assisting the heavily saturated walls in drying. This breathability will continue to buffer relative humidity and manage the risk of condensation and mould while improving air quality. Further, the hotel will be able to provide the thermal comfort expected of a luxury four-star hotel. With its superior insulating properties, a 70mm coat achieved a U Value of 0.7, which was needed for the hotel's complex heating, ventilation and cooling systems.Since its opening, Bodmin Jail has been nominated for several awards by organisations, including The Cornwall Tourism Awards, VisitEngland, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Castlebar Government OfficesBauder Total Roof System (BTRS) and BauderThermofol PVC single ply waterproofing systemSynopsisThe roof area of this government office building was complex due to expansion joints, air conditioning units and intricate detailing requirements. Work hours had to be agreed with the client to keep disruption to other ongoing work at the site to a minimum and insulation upgrades were necessary to satisfy building regulations. The office also had to remain open throughout the works, causing some logistical challenges. All deliveries were timed so not to cause any disruption to visitors coming in and out of the facility.Bauder Building BoardProject:Castlebar Government OfficesLocation:Castlebar, Ireland​Roof Area:2,500m²Specifier:Office of Public Works​Approved Contractor:Deane Roofing & Cladding​The specificationBauder’s bituminous system, BTRS, was specified because it is durable, robust and can withstand permanently sited loads of up to 2000Kg/m². The system build-up included Bauder’s 100 mm Thermotech Glass insulation for superior thermal performance, ensuring the roof achieved the required 0.17 U-Value. Small linking roof areas were waterproofed using Bauder Thermofol PVC single ply system, which is long lasting, possessing high tensile strength of over 1100N, and allows for no physical penetrations of the roof.Products appliedBauder Total Roof SystemIntegrated bituminous waterproofing system with a life expectancy in excess of 40 years.Bauder Thermofol PVC1.5 mm single ply membrane can be guaranteed for up to 20 years depending on system type.System installedBauder Total Roof System (BTRS)1 Bauder K5KA heavy duty, torch-applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet, featuring a spunbond polyester reinforcement to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture. The mineral finish provides protection against UV degradation.2 Bauder ThermotechPIR insulation board with a coated glass tissue facing on both sides.3 BauderPIR FA-TEAn efficient PIR insulation board with aluminium foil facing on both sides. The top facing features a printed grid pattern to aid site cutting. It is lightweight and has zero ozone depletion potential.4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finish.Bauder Thermofol PVC single ply waterproofing system1 Bauder Thermofol U15 FRA 1.5mm thick, reinforced PVC waterproofing membrane. Stated within BBA certificate 06/4354, the Thermofol PVC waterproofing membranes have a service life in excess of 35 years. 2 Bauder PIR MTissue-faced flat board insulation, benefitting from a zero ODP and a Green guide rating of ‘A’.3 BauderTEC KSD FBSA technically advanced self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen air and vapour control layer with an aluminium foil facing for vapour impermeability.AdvocacyProject specifier, Tony Collins, Office of Public Works:“Bauder delivered a comprehensive roofing solution that utilised their top quality products and unrivalled technical support. Despite the design and logistical challenges encountered, the new roof system was delivered on time and to budget much to the delight of the client” 

Unilife provides premium student accommodation with an aim to deliver high-quality student experience.Accommodation availability is one of the many factors that most students consider when choosing which university to study at.Unilife wanted to expand their accommodation on offer at the main campus of the University of Surrey in Guildford and so turned to Stelling Properties and sort to found a solution in using  ROCKWOOL® RWA45 non-combustible stone wool insulation.

Coopers installed and commissioned two FireMaster® Plus fire curtains, the first to protect the property from fire and smoke migrating from the kitchen whilst the second to protect the internal balcony from smoke and fire travelling between floors. Both fire curtains provide 2 hours fire and insulation zone protection and were installed into the ceiling to remain hidden from view until deployed by a fire alarm.

SIG Design & Technology and SIG Insulation are working with the Interserve Kajima consortium on a batch of seven secondary school projects to deliver a value-engineered, robust roofing solution. At Stopsley High School there are two roofs installed by Briggs Amasco in an approximate 16 week programme. The largest roof measures some 2500m2 and the inverted roof build up selected and supplied by SIG comprises IKO’s PermaTEC hot melt waterproofing system.

Balfour Beatty approached Planet Partitioning with a high-performance refurbishment specification for the UK's largest private hospital. For all the patient and treatment rooms, Planet Partitioning used p20 demountable glass partitioning with Eclipse sliding doors. FireStop partitioning ensured that lift lobby partitioning has a fire integrity and insulation rating of EI120/120. Doors for the lift lobby are fire rated for EI 60/60 and steel framed.

This groundbreaking project required a sheathing board that would form an integral part of an insulated render system, providing 60-minute through-wall fire resistance and meeting project-specific acoustic requirements. Project: Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital Project Value: £70 million Architect: Keppie Design Main Contractor: Lend Lease Subcontractor: Farpod Dry Lining Product: Versapanel Size: 2800mmx1200mmx12mm Quantity: 30,000m2

Wilmcote House is located in Portsmouth which had undergone a major renovation to benefit the health and well-being of tenants.A high-rise, high-density housing estate that remains a prominent feature of Britain's urban landscape dating from the 1960's.Wilmcote House used a combination of several products and systems namely ROCKWOOL external wall and flat roof insulation together with a selection of the company's firestopping and fire protection products.

A new Scottish residential development with a strong emphasis on offsite construction and energy-efficiency has highlighted the suitability of Sto’s external render systems for use with modern structural insulated panels (SIPS). The company’s StoRend Flex external render system, which utilizes the StoVentec carrier board, has been installed onto SIPS to create the new detached and semi-detached properties built at Robertland Gardens in Stewartland, North Ayrshire.

The design of the house specified an airtight and thermal efficient solution to meet Building Regulations. The brief for DGTS was to provide a highly insulated (U-Values for walls/0.11 and floors/0.13) envelope to the main steel frame structure and concrete beam and block floors to both ground and first floor level. The dwelling floor area was approx 700m² broken up into twelve rooms including a wet room, gym, media room and library.

The Passivhaus Institute has recently awarded the Designo wooden loft ladder certification for use in passive house projects. Available from Premier Loft Ladders, the Designo features the latest innovations in loft ladder design to perfectly balance aesthetics with performance. It offers excellent thermal efficiency (U value 0.60 W/m2K) and an airtight seal (class 4) thanks to a highly insulated trapdoor with 6-point locking mechanism.

The new FB180 Batt Floor System has been designed to friction fit into the joists above a ceiling, creating a 60 minute insulation solution without disturbing the ceiling, but this product is also tested in a horizontal application as a simple way to create a protected zone where required, as shown in the images below, where it is also works alongside our Apollo Lite Barrier, at a recent installation by Krasi Fire Protection Limited

After securing funding via the CIF application, Knighton Fields Primary Academy was able to address some of the long-term issues they had in relation their roof, which was beginning to show signs of wear.ChallengesThe existing waterproofing had been suffering with significant amounts of standing water, water ingress, structural deck failure (localised), poor thermal insulation, and several tired old and dilapidated lantern roof lights. All roof areas needed to be inspected and level surveyed and, in one localized area, the existing waterproofing and deck had to be entirely stripped and removed owing to significant deflection and fear of collapse. The works needed to progress swiftly so as to provide minimal disruption to the school environment.SolutionsAfter inspection, proposals were put forward for a tapered insulation overlay where deemed necessary, to help improve falls to existing outlets and rid the problem of standing water. In most instances, the existing roof covering was simply overlaid and formed part of the new Air and Vapour Control Layer (AVCL) before a new Hytherm ADH flat/tapered insulation board and two-layer fully adhered Excel RBM system was installed over this. On the area where the existing waterproofing had been stripped, the deck was replaced (to falls), a new AVCL installed and the same Excel warm roof system was carried through to complete these areas.Works progressed throughout the summer holidays to avoid any disruption to the school or pupils. NFRC Safe2Torch principles were observed, prescribed and employed as part of the scope of works. An Insurance backed Guarantee covering design, materials and workmanship was issued upon practical completion of the works and following successful sign off from the Axter in-house QA team (who monitored the procession of works from start to finish) to the client, indemnifying their risk and protecting the building and its occupants for a period of 25 years.Systems in useExcel®

City Tower, a private apartment tower block located in Canary Wharf required a new high performance waterproofing system as the existing single ply roof had been damaged beyond repair due to a fire. To provide a cost effective, long term waterproofing solution, Proteus Waterproofing specified a Hybrid Tapered Insulation Scheme with a Proteus Pro-Felt® finish, meeting the client’s specific requirements.High Performance WaterproofingAs the existing roof was beyond repair, it needed be completely stripped. Pro-Prime® SA and Proteus Pro-Felt® Self Adhesive Underlay were used as a vapor control layer. Proteus Pro-Therm EPS and Proteus Pro-Therm PIR were used for the Hybrid Tapered Insulation Scheme and bonded using Pro-Bond Foaming Adhesive. Proteus Pro-Felt® 3mm Plain Underlay was then fully adhered to the insulation, followed by a final installation of Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard. Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Proteus Approved Contractor to ensure the project was delivered to a high standard.Health & SafetyWhen working on residential buildings, safety is always of utmost importance. Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard has the highest European Fire Rating, BROOF(t4), making it the ideal felt to use on residential properties as the risks to operatives, building occupants and members of the public are greatly reduced. All Proteus Waterproofing specifications promote fire safe installation methods conforming to the industry lead Safe2Torch guidelines.Long Term PerformanceProteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard is a high-performance multi-layer bituminous membrane system, tested to perform in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. It has class leading modified bitumen content which allows the flexible membrane to move with the building and ensure long term durability and performance. It is certified by the BBA to be in excess of 30 years, and had the highest European Fire Rating – BROOF(t4).

Proteus Waterproofing were contacted to assist with the roof refurbishment for the The Co-Operative Group, Wembley. The existing felt waterproofing and timber deck had failed allowing water ingress into the residential building below. Upon further inspection, Proteus established that the existing roof lacked any insulation and therefore did not meet current Building Regulations. a Proteus Pro Felt® system was specified as a competitive and cost effective waterproofing solution.High Performance WaterproofingThe roof coverings and timber decking had to be removed. A new 18mm ply wood deck was installed to the roof pitches before a high performance Proteus Pro Felt® system could be laid. This incorporated 120mm Proteus Pro-Therm® insulation to ensure all current building regulations were met. Due to the 45 degree pitch of both the front and rear roofs, Proteus needed to design a fixing method to ensure the felt and insulation did not slip in the warmer weather. Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Proteus Approved Contractor, to ensure the project was delivered to a high standard.Health & SafetyWhen working on public buildings, safety is always of utmost importance. Proteus Pro-Felt® Self Adhesive Mineral Capsheet has the highest European Fire Rating, BROOF(t4), making it the ideal felt to use on public building as the risks to operatives and members of the public are greatly reduced. All Proteus Waterproofing specifications promote fire safe installation methods conforming to the industry lead Safe2Torch guidelines.Long Term PerformanceProteus Pro-Felt® is a High-Performance range of bituminous membrane system, tested to perform in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. It has class leading modified bitumen content which allows the flexible membrane to move with the building and ensure long term durability and performance with guarantees available up to 25 years.

The Nursery at Bellingdon was the brainchild of Jim Matthews and influential German architect Gernot Minke. Comprising of a 5m high dome, exterior walls of Strocks, hemp-lime insulationand woodfired brick facing. The whole structure was built on compacted flint foundations and topped with a green roof. Blocks were specially shaped in three sizes to accommodate the change in angle of the dome, one of the qualities of the clay straw mix is its ability to take up most shapes. The dome itself is a big piece of thermal mass as well as part of the load bearing structure of the roof. The outer walls have Strocks to hold the remaining weight of roof which are in turn insulated with hemp-lime blocks with a brick rain screen of the factories wood fired bricks. The whole structure has beautiful clay plaster finishes internally, fair-faced blockwork on the interior of the dome and many factory made ceramic detailed panels. It’s a little gem of a showcase of all that HG Matthews can produce. In addition with a lot of little people running around inside it each day very little is needed to heat the structure which neither overheats or gets cold, storing the heat of the nursery by day and releasing it at night.

A landmark London entertainment venue is under refurbishment and will feature striking black windows that will not only suit the style and appearance of the Grade II listed building but also meet modern performance criteria for thermal insulation, fire safety, security, and ventilation. The new windows being at installed at Camden’s Koko Club, manufactured by heritage windows specialists Mumford and Wood, use Hodgson Heritage putty to meet performance standards while maintaining a traditional appearance. 

This previously draughty corridor was in sore need to refurbishment at this hotel and spa just outside Manchester. Our ThermGard-R rafter glazing bars were ideal for sitting on top of the existing steel rafters and provided a robust glazing method to retain the large double glazed units. Softcoat low-e laminated and toughened glass insulating glass units provide excellent heat retention and being North facing, there was no need for the addition of solar control.