"insulation"

A combination of external wall insulation and resin brick slips from Sto has helped create a thermally-efficient and visually striking appearance for a £7.8m residential refurbishment project in London. Located on the Stockwell Park estate, Tyler House now benefits from the use of Sto resin brick slips which have been installed as the final façade finish, onto the company’s StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation system. The Tyler House building is organised around a central courtyard, and houses 48 flats with one, two, three or four bedrooms. “The buildings underwent a significant amount of refurbishment in order to improve the living conditions of the residents, and providing effective thermal insulation was a key element in that process,” explains Richard Watson of project architects Rock Townsend. “The Sto solution allowed us to provide that insulation. We also wanted to add 13 additional flats and the Sto brick slips gave us the opportunity to create a dramatic new appearance for the existing parts of the building which would contrast with the rooftop extension.” The Sto materials were installed by Sto applicator Regency Plastering of Dartford. “The residents remained in their homes throughout, and there were no problems in installing the external insulation and brick slips whilst they were there,” explains Regency’s Paul Brown. The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral K insulation system is ideal for refurbishment projects such as Tyler House. Its external installation means that insulation performance can be substantially upgraded without the loss of any living space inside the premises. Comprising mineral-fibre boards which deliver high thermal performance and unrivalled fire protection, the system also incorporates reinforcing layers to provide additional impact resistance. For this project the insulation was installed using StoLevell Uni adhesive and supplementary fixings to create a strong and reliable bond with the substrate. Designed specifically for use with Sto’s external wall insulation systems and StoRend systems, the Sto mineral brick slips used on Tyler House are manufactured from a rugged and durable synthetic render, and combine a realistic simulated brick appearance with reliable, weatherproof properties. They can be used to match the appearance of surrounding buildings without compromising on thermal insulation, or as in this case, to create dramatic and individual facades. For Tyler House they were specified in a white brick slip colour which contrasts with the new, rooftop extension. 

SubFloor flooring was used in a conversion of an industrial premise for youth gaming activities. This allowed insulation to separate the cold floor from the main area and for wiring installations under the floor.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.95 mm Rigid insulation was positioned on the insulation bearers and a 22 mm chipboard was placed on top.Products:Wooden Joist 45x45x3600 mmSubFloor Screw 200 mmSubFloor Screw FootInsulation Bearer 95 mmHeight Variation: 105 - 236 mmJoist separation: c/c 600 mmSystem Weight - c/c 600 mm: 2.82 kg/m²Materials:Pine T0-C24Fibre-reinforced polypropylenePolyamideCold Galvanised Sheet SteelPoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm):Load next to screw over joist edge - 9.72 kNLoad between screws over joist edge - 15.85 kN

The days are getting shorter and the weather getting colder – winter is on its way. If considering a new loft access hatch and ladder it is important to choose one that offers good thermal insulation and an airtight seal. This will help to keep in the warmth and lower energy costs. We have produced a useful guide that is available for download. It is designed to help you understand the important features to look for when choosing an insulated loft ladder. The guide also includes a quick reference tool for our insulated loft ladder product range.

Morriston Hospital had sustainability at the heart of the building's design and specification. ROCKWOOL insulation has played a significant role in the project which has achieved its target of a BREEAM Excellent rating. A combination of ROCKWOOL products was used to meet Morriston Hospital's pipe and ductwork insulation requirements.

Ravago Building Solution’s BBA certified ultra-thin high-performance extruded polystyrene (XPS) thermal insulation boards has been delivered to 22 Hanover Square, in Mayfair, London, as part of a £50 million project to deliver a new collection of luxury residences. Led by global construction company ISG, the project is set to offer 80 new apartments as part of a multi-level development linked to the 5-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel, offering residents access to exclusive hotel facilities that include a spa, 25m indoor swimming pool, and a rooftop bar overlooking Mayfair.  1200m2 of Ravatherm XPS X ULTRA 300 SL was selected by flat roof insulation specialists Quantum Insulation, keeping in mind that leading roofing company, BriggsAmasco, needed to attain a U-value of 0.12 – a requirement easily met by ULTRA 300 SL. Ravatherm XPS X ULTRA 300 SL is a thermal insulation product designed for inverted flat roofs, offering architects and specifiers the thinnest XPS insulation with a design lambda of 0.028 and declared lambda 0.027 W/mK for the whole thickness range from 70 to 205mm. Paul Davies, Director, Quantum Insulation, said: “Ravatherm XPS X ULTRA 300 SL is the thinnest insulation of its kind, and so presented the ideal solution for this demanding specification. Alongside their product, Ravago offer high-level expertise and superb customer service, both of which were equally vital in getting the insulation from cradle to gate as smoothly as possible”. Tony Lawther, Operations Director, BriggsAmasco, said: “This project came with added logistical challenges, which Ravago were able to overcome with reassuring expertise, anticipating our needs and ensuring on-time Saturday delivery to a quiet site”.  Richard Powell, Roofing Sales Manager, Ravago Building Solutions, added: “Having provided solutions for similar projects in the past, we were confident in meeting both technical and logistical requirements, ensuring the client received timely and safe delivery of the product. We look forward to seeing the final outcome of the development next year”. 

Colchester’s Visual Arts Centre is a stunning, crescent-shaped building that treads lightly and shouts loudly. The elegant roof and façade are 100% waterproof thanks to FOAMGLAS® cellular glass insulation. The insulation is covered in Tecu gold sheets seamed and fixed into position, giving this architectural marvel a golden glow.

Homeowner and self-builder Marianne was able to draw on the right help, expertise, and best products – including ROCKWOOL insulation – to realise her dream.ROCKWOOL Timber Frame Slab used for this project is a durable non-combustible stone wool slab that provides thermal, non-combustible insulation for walls and roofs. 

Located near Highgate in North London, the Chester Balmore project consists of three elegant brick-clad blocks, housing a contemporary collection of 53 super-insulated one, two and three-bedroom flats, all set around a landscaped courtyard. The development is designed to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and the high levels of insulation employ good use of solar and internal heat gains, plus excellent air tightness and minimal thermal bridges. It is claimed that the air tightness on the Chester Balmore development is around twenty times better than that required by Building Regulations.Preventing thermal bridging along the parapets was a critical consideration for such a high performance development, because as with balconies, parapets can allow conductive materials to transfer energy through the thermal barrier. Conventionally, in the majority of cases, the method of insulating parapets and parapet walls is to wrap the perimeter of the wall with an insulation barrier. However, the Schöck Isokorb® T type A offers a cost-effective and more thermally efficient alternative. Its 60mm insulation thickness results in low psi-values and therefore significantly reduces heat loss – and there is no wrapping required. It offers a more sophisticated construction opportunity for greater freedom of design and offers flexible distance between elements according to load requirements.

Soundsure 560 was laid over concrete blocks (1350 kg/m3 from Lynx Precast), installed as an acoustic resilient layer below insulation, underfloor heating pipework and 75mm sand / cement screed. Installed in first floor areas of all 8 houses. Soundsure 560 was overlaid with 30mm insulation, a waterproof membrane, and underfloor heating pipes clipped into place. A 75mm sand / cement screed was then laid above. Soundsure 560 was lapped up all perimeter edges, ensuring that the insulation and screed were isolated from the main structure, providing maximum acoustic performanceBenefits of Soundsure 560 • Cost-effective acoustic solution for use with all types of floor screeds. • Exceeds the performance standards required in the UK building regulations for sound insulation. • Ideal for use in New Build Houses, as well as Apartments and Hotels, where acoustic insulation is required. • Excellent acoustic performance from Soundsure 560 – gives 24 dB impact sound improvement when used below 75mm sand / cement screed. • Quick and easy to install without any need for perimeter edge strips. • Provides long-lasting durability and high levels of acoustic performance. • Can be used as an alternative to Robust Details. • Made from recycled rubber crumb.

Designed by architects Studio E, the BREEAM Excellent rated building features over 2,000 Ultima aluminium insulated panels in varying lengths and depths up to 4500mm and 800mm respectively, finished in four different RAL colours The company also supplied a range of ventilated Bird’s Beak style panels, pressings, copings and cills that further added to the overall aesthetic of the building’s façade. The Ultima aluminium insulated panels were designed, supplied and manufactured by Metalline Architectural Fabrications. Metalline has become one of the UK’s leading fabricators of specialist architectural fabrication in the UK, developing innovative solutions for a range of flagship projects. Finished in four different RAL colours – reed green, pastel green, light green and mint turquoise – the overall effect of the multi coloured, multi-dimensional panels is one of inspiration that sits perfectly with the ultimate goals of the Academy’s vision for its pupils future. Metalline’s Ultima aluminium insulated panels are extremely versatile and possess excellent acoustic, thermal and fire performance ratings. They are typically produced using class A1 non-combustible insulation core and can be adapted to fit a variety of facade details, which include the ability to be glazed into a standard curtain walling or structural glazing system. The panels can also be perforated and manufactured into a variety of shapes to meet the most challenging design criteria. Ultima aluminium insulated panels can be fabricated up to an impressive 6000mm in one length.

NyRock Cavity Slab 032 insulation was specified to meet the specific energy targets.Hallwell by Hugh McGreevy & Sons Ltd is a development of 100 new homes being constructed as part of a larger residential area in Adamstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland.NyRock Cavity Slab 032 - the most thermally efficient stone wool cavity insulation currently available in the UK and Ireland.

A range of Ultima aluminium insulated panels incorporating an eye catching perforated outer skin have been specified on the new Reflector residential development at Chambers Wharf in The Southwark district of London. Designed by Simpson Haugh Architecture the properties featured over 1500 sq metres of Ultima aluminium insulated panels glazed in to the structural glazed system across multiple buildings on the development. Each of the panels were finished in a distinctive Basalt Grey PPC colour, that featured a unique perforated outer skin which stood proud of the glazed in panel. These were fitted via a toggle system together with an internal channel surround that added to the distinctive appearance of the building. Ultima aluminium insulated panels are a highly versatile façade panel that can be adapted to fit a variety of external applications. Available in sizes up to and including 6000mm x 2000mm, Ultima panels are fire tested to BS476, provide excellent thermal performance and are supplied with A1 non-combustible insulation materials. They are available in a wide range of high grade anodised colours and PPC finishes.

FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD T4+Design Architects: Kohn, Pedersen, Fox Associates – KPF London, Marcus BlanesMain contractor: SkansaConstruction: 2011Application: Compact Roof - FOAMGLAS® Ready Board T4+Finish: Umicore VM ZincThe roof level 41 of the Heron Tower (with a height of 120m) is designed to the most exacting standards for sustainability and efficiency.The building received the BREEAM rating of 'Excellent', with FOAMGLAS® thermal insulation being part of a green and energy efficient building. The roof is composed with FOAMGLAS® READY BOARD insulation and Umicore VM Zinc roofing as a durable finish.FOAMGLAS® insulation has the ability to withstand high structural loads and has developed a special fixing system for metal roofing.Square metal fixing plates are inserted into the upper surface of the insulation and covered with a waterproofing and a separation sheet.This is the perfect system to fully support metal standing seam roofing which is screwed to the metal plates without thermal bridging between the metal roof sheet and the building structure.

SubFloor flooring was used to help renovate and raise a concrete floor into a level school floor in Skövde, Sweden.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.45 mm Rigid insulation was positioned on the insulation bearers to leave a clear void underneath and a 22 mm chipboard was placed on top.Products:Wooden Joist 45x45x3600 mmSubFloor Screw 100 mmSubFloor Screw FootInsulation Bearer 45 mmHeight Variation: 50 - 111 mmJoist separation: c/c 600 mmSystem Weight - c/c 600 mm: 2.66 kg/m²Materials:Pine T0-C24Fibre-reinforced polypropylenePolyamideCold Galvanised Sheet SteelPoint Load Limit (50 x 50 mm):Load next to screw over joist edge - 9.72 kNLoad between screws over joist edge - 15.85 kN

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.”

The Quadro wooden loft ladder is the solution when ‘standard’ is simply not good enough. It is supplied as an easy to fit, made-to-measure unit. The 3-part folding wooden ladder is contained within, and attached to, a laminated wooden hatch box and an insulated trapdoor. The Quadro wooden loft ladder offers very good energy efficiency thanks to an insulated trapdoor with an airtight 4-point locking mechanism.

A new, three-story extension to the back of the Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon, and upgrades to the existing building have been completed with Sto external wall insulation and render systems. StoTherm Mineral and StoTherm Classic external wall insulation was applied to some lower sections of the buildings, with the higher areas of the façade completed with the StoRend Cote render system, to provide maximum crack resistance, weatherproofing and fade resistance. 

FOAMGLAS® Tapered T4+ (Slab)Design Architects: Renzo Piano Building WorkshopExecutive Architects: Adamson Associates, LondonMain Contractor: Mace; Roofing Contractor AC PLCConstruction: 2012Application: Warm Roof - FOAMGLAS® Tapered T4+ (Slab )Finish: Bitumen membranesFOAMGLAS® provided the ultimate solution for the roof maintenance platform of The Shard at level 75.Its light-weight and high compressive strength enable regular maintenance to be carried out without risk of surface damage.At 310 m, Shard Tower is one of Western Europe’s tallest buildings; exposed to extremes of temperature & the revolutionary structure sways up to 50 cm in high winds.The building maintenance platform on level 75 islocated directly above the viewing galleries, and essentially forms the Shard’s roof. To shed water, the flat metal platform required an insulation with a tapered top surface.In this extremely exposed location, and with significantloads upon the platform, a truly reliable solution was needed. FOAMGLAS® insulation combines compressive strength, long-term insulation performance.Using their "in house" CAD systems, FOAMGLAS® designed a bespoke Tapered Insulation system. Taking full advantage of its low coefficient of expansion, and to eliminate thermal bridging, FOAMGLAS® and its membranes were adhesive bonded onto the metal structure. The unique ability of FOAMGLAS® to withstand high compressive loads ensures regular maintenance work can be safely carried out without damage to the insulation or the membranes.Adamson Architects commented on this project: "FOAMGLAS® has proved itself to be the ultimate solution for the difficult loadbearing areas of the Shard. Specifying cellular glass insulation ensured complete integrity and performance in key areas of the Shard Tower".

Insulation of internal walls and ceilings for containerised units by NewSpace Containers.

Several disciplines are going to be joining forces under one roof in the future university centre for dentistry (UZB) in Basel. A centre of dentistry competence ranging from basic care to research and teaching is being built. Every year, dentists, dental and preventive care assistants and dental hygienists will be administering more than 80,000 treatments in the 5-storey building.The staircases were a key area of focus on this project, both for architectural reasons and in light of the strict sound insulation requirements. All staircases and landings have a bare architectural concrete finish. Compliance with the requirement of an impact sound level delta ΔLn,w* of 28 dB was mandatory in order to protect the quiet areas (e.g. treatment rooms, lecture halls, library, etc.) from distracting noise.Products from the Schöck Tronsole® range have been implemented for acoustic insulation. These impact sound insulation products enable a structural connection of the staircases and landings with no acoustic bridges whatsoever. Correct planning and installation of Schöck Tronsole® in a system results in a blue line visible at the treated areas. It is the mark of quality for reliable impact sound insulation and acoustic bridge-free installation.

Two new apartment buildings in Kent have been given a thermally-efficient and visually-striking façade thanks to the use of an external wall insulation system from Sto. The two new blocks in Ashford - Stour Heights and Somerset Heights – have a single-skin construction, comprising a reinforced concrete frame with concrete block infill, and they benefit from the installation of StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation, with a StoCleyer B mineral brick slip and StoSilco render façade finish.“An alternative insulation system was originally proposed for these buildings,” says John Mahoney of Sheffield-based J Mahoney Architects. “As things progressed a different solution was required to meet the demands of the various parties involved in the project. Sto pretty much leads the pack in terms of quality, and the StoTherm Mineral system was able to satisfy everyone’s requirements, so it became the obvious choice. The fact that Sto could work with us and provide technical support was also extremely helpful.”The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system uses mineral-fibre boards to provide outstanding thermal performance, combined with reliable fire protection and effective sound insulation. Its efficient single-leaf construction and external installation do not compromise the building’s interior space, and it can be installed without the need for additional expansion joints.For the new buildings, it was installed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix plus mechanical fixing system. The helical Rotofix fixings create a cavity behind the insulation board, which can be easily adjusted after installation to ensure a level outer surface is created. This system combines the ease-of-use of ETICS anchors with the flexibility of a mechanical rail system, but without the material and labour cost of installing the rails.“The StoCleyer B brick slips were specified to meet certain planning requirements,” adds John Mahoney. “An alternative brick solution was originally considered, but Sto was able to manufacture slips which were a perfect match for the proposed original. The fact that they were also fully compatible with the Sto insulation system was another significant point in their favour.”The new buildings have added 109 one- and two-bedroomed flats which are spread across the five floors of Stour Heights, and the three floors of Somerset Heights.

1,000m of red and blue double skin FAIRs (factory assembled insulating rooflights) provide an even and diffused daylight spread in Middlewich environmental hub in Cheshire. The hub operates as a multi-use site and the angled composite panels were fitted to a recycling centre as well as a vehicle workshop. The FAIRs were manufactured to to meet the specific light transmission requirements stipulated by the customer and specified to meet insulation fire and safety requirements.

Pyrobel Vision Line internal partitions for EI30 (30 minutes integrity and insulation).

Use of NyRock Cavity Slab 032 wall insulation in a full fill application.

Case study for cavity wall insulation upgrade at St James Wood apartments, Dublin.

The first homes at Barratt Homes’ new energy efficient Hanham Hall development feature Posi-Joists as the floor system of choice. Each home is constructed using highly insulated materials and is fitted with a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system, which is why Posi-Joist was the natural choice for the floor system. Kingspan Potton have been involved throughout the design and delivery of the project, supplying both Structural Insulated Panels and the Posi-Joist floors.

FIRETITE Best Practice Case Study Cavity insulation installed at Goswell Road, Barbican, London.

Pyrobel Vision Line fire-resistant glazed screens for EI30 (30 minutes integrity and insulation)

Riverwalk features two organically shaped buildings of 7 and 17 storeys, connected by a central podium and incorporating 116 high specification one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, plus penthouses. The design focus is on light, space and service, as well as exceptional views across the River Thames. Extensive planting on roofs, balconies and terraces, most significantly on the first floor podium terrace, also contribute to a substantial improvement in the green footprint and biodiversity of the site.With such a high specification development it is not surprising to find that enormous consideration was given to the avoidance of the thermal bridging at the critical balcony connections; and the structural thermal break module specified throughout is the latest generation Schöck Isokorb® XT type K. The XT type K – for concrete-to-concrete applications – offers such a high level of insulation that the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt has awarded the product with the "low thermal bridge construction" certificate and confirmed its suitability even for passivhaus construction.A major reason for the superior performance of the Schöck Isokorb® XT type K is the thickness of the insulation body. This is increased from the standard 80mm thick to 120mm, providing an even more efficient solution. The Isokorb® XT type K not only improves thermal insulation performance by up to 30% in comparison to to the standard range, it also improves impact sound insulation by around 50% as well. High quality stainless steel bars with improved tensile strength is an integral part of the unit and while the same load-bearing capacity is maintained, there is a smaller rod diameter and therefore a reduction in the thermally conducting cross-section, resulting in a further increase in the heat insulation performance.

The Grade II Listed Victorian Tamworth Assembly Rooms had secondary glazing installed by Selectaglaze as part of a multi-million-pound project to refurbish and restore the much respected theatre. A solution was required to insulate the single glazed original arched casement windows in the auditorium to provide suitable acoustic and thermal insulation. Selectaglaze’s Series 41 side hung casement secondary glazing was specified with 6.4mm glass to each of the windows, matching the sightlines and providing full access to the originals for cleaning and maintenance.

Gloucester’s dock area today provides a vibrant retail, leisure and residential district. The transformation of the derelict dock area started in 2009. As part of the multi-million pound redevelopment, known as Gloucester Quays, Tata Steel has supplied a wide range of its building envelope products to build the Morrisons supermarket.A solution incorporating Tata Steel’s Trisomet® and Trimapanel® insulated roof and wall cladding systems was chosen to build the Gloucester Quay’s supermarket for Wm Morrisons.Close involvement with the cladding contractor helped to deliver the robust detailing criteria and the air-tightness requirements. Longer length Trisomet® insulated panels supplied with Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® were installed on the roof area to reduce end laps and increase the speed of the installation, and for the wall elevations a combination of Trisomet® and Trimapanel® insulated panels were supplied manufactured from Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® pre-finished steel.

The Ecco concertina loft ladder features the very latest technology to achieve excellent thermal insulation and an airtight seal. The 4-point latching system ensures an airtight seal all the way around the hatch, while WDL tape provides an insulating seal between the hatch box and ceiling structure. Ideal for residential and light-duty commercial projects. The lightweight yet strong and durable aluminium loft ladder is easy to open and close. It is also suitable for smaller ceiling openings (as small as 800mm x 550mm).

The Klimatec 160 is a high performance solution for passive and low carbon buildings. Not only does it offer superb thermal insulation and an airtight seal, but it also benefits from 30-minute fire protection. The Klimatec 160 is the latest product in the Premier Loft Ladders range to be certified by the Passivhaus Institut (PHI) for use in passive buildings. It offers very high thermal insulation, achieving a U-value of just 0.34 W/m2K. It also features a class 4 certified airtight seal. As such, it is extremely effective at keeping the warmth in the building.

The Comet Hotel is located in Hertfordshire at the junction of the Barnet by-pass with St Albans Road. Formerly known as the Ramada Hatfield, the Comet’s multimillion pound refurbishment which began in 2017 is now complete. The hotel had retained the building’s original crittal sash windows but this did not provide the required level of noise insulation to a number of the guestrooms, restaurant and function spaces for meetings and networking events. St Albans based Selectaglaze installed 104 secondary glazed units, with a cavity between the primary windows and the secondary units to improve noise insulation.

Langley Academy Primary School, is a modern 2 storey development which will house 630 nursery, reception and junior pupils in Slough Berkshire. To carry out the main works of this project, the sub-contractor was appointed to construct the building using a concrete frame and cement particle board, then wrapped in high quality external wall insulation and render materials from SPSenvirowall. Working collaboratively, this saw the installation of 1100 meters of 200mm insulation, which met the desired thermal performance of the building as well as contributing to the fire and acoustic requirements.

Claimed to be the largest Passivhaus development to date in the UK and certainly Camden Council’s largest community investment project, Agar Grove Estate, in North West London, is undergoing a six-phase major regeneration due for completion in 2025. The mixed-tenure scheme will provide 493 new homes to help meet Camden's housing needs. There will be a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes, with full width balconies on the upper floors. By meeting Passivhaus standard the development will also achieve the highest levels of sustainability and energy efficiency. However, a critical element in any design process involving efficient thermal insulation is the avoidance of thermal bridging. With the Agar Grove development the risk of thermal bridging is primarily at the connectivity points involving balconies and parapets. One of the most technically advanced countermeasures is the Isokorb® range of structural thermal breaks from Schöck. A major reason for the superior performance of this product type is the thickness of the insulation body, increased from the standard 80mm thick to 120mm. High quality stainless steel bars with improved tensile strength are also an integral part of the unit. With parapets, the conventional method is to wrap the perimeter of the wall with an insulation barrier. However, the Schöck Isokorb® used here offers a solution that is more cost-effective and more thermally efficient than wrapped parapets. Its 120mm insulation thickness results in low psi-values and therefore significantly reduces heat loss.