"external insulation of external walls"

ChallengeThe Building Centre, a central information point for all sectors of the construction industry, recently refurbished its London based headquarters. The second stage has seen Knauf Insulation Acoustic Roll supplied to the Construction Products Association, the UK Green Building Council and Design for Homes offices located on the first floor.In order to maximise all potential space available to the offices, it was essential to select a product that would take up as little space as possible, while satisfying the environmental and acoustic criteria required to achieve the BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.SolutionTo accomplish this, 50mm Acoustic Roll was specified as it is lightweight, flexible, non-combustible and provides a high level of sound absorption, furthermore, it has been specifically designed for friction fitting between members at 400mm and 600mm centres. Acoustic Roll significantly improves the sound insulation performance of partitions whilst at the same time delivering improved thermal and fire performance. Plus, thanks to ECOSE® Technology, offers outstanding environmental credentials.Knauf Insulation products with ECOSE® Technology are made with a formaldehyde free binder technology derived from rapidly renewable, bio-based materials, which reduces embodied energy and delivers superior environmental sustainability. The insulation doesn’t look or feel like any other insulation. It is naturally brown in colour as there are no artificial colours or dyes added and it produces a ‘super softer’, odourless and easier to handle insulation.Colin Henderson, CEO of the Building Centre comments on how specifying Knauf Insulation was an easy decision to make: "After looking at the requirements and from our existing knowledge of Knauf Insulation, we knew the company would be able to meet all our needs quickly and efficiently."Maria Morgan, Market Manager – Building, Non Residential at Knauf Insulation explains: “Our unique position in having a broad product range, coupled with our expertise within the industry, enabled us to fully advise and install the appropriate insulation solution for the Building Centre.”

Ashwood House is a development of Manhattan-style apartments in the desirable Surrey commuter town, Camberley. Situated in a converted 1960s office block, developer Berkeley Homes Southern Ltd needed to ensure the 116 luxury flats were as energy efficient as possible.This was a particular concern for the properties situated above the first floor car park, which has open walls to allow adequate ventilation of exhaust fumes. As a result, the specification stipulated a U-value of 0.25 W/m²K.Chris Body, Business Development Director at RPN Ltd, the specialist sub-contractor at Ashwood House said: “We approached several insulation manufacturers to discuss the different options available. Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard met the brief in terms of thermal and fire performance. It can be used on uneven substrates and looks fantastic – all of which were key priorities for Berkeley Homes.”Aesthetic appealHow the insulation looked was an important part of the brief as Berkeley Homes wanted a solution that would be aesthetically pleasing. Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard features a black glass veil facing, so no additional finishing was required. This meant that RPN Ltd has been able to install the slabs perpendicular to the ring beam to create a quilted effect across the ceiling.A high-performance solutionThe other specification factors were thermal performance and fire safety. Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook U-value calculations to determine that 130mm Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard would be required. It is manufactured from Rock Mineral Wool, has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034 W/mK and is designed to insulate structural soffits in applications such as open sided car parks.It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, so will not contribute to the development or spread of a fire should it occur. Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard also has excellent sound absorption characteristics so will help to ensure that residents are not disturbed by the noise of cars parking beneath their flats.Better for installersThe insulation was supplied by distributors CCF Ltd who delivered it to the site in line with the schedule of works. It was then installed by RPN’s specialist team.Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard is easier to install correctly than other insulants. The product recipe makes each slab rigid, which ensures the insulation maintains continuous contact with the substrate, preventing gaps that can reduce thermal, fire and acoustic performance.Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. This means they are kinder to the installers who use them too.A safe solutionUltimately, using Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard means the Ashwood House car park ceiling not only looks aesthetically pleasing, but it helps to meet the increasing demand for non-combustible insulation in car parks too.

Improving the thermal fabric performance and replicating the existing lookThe primary aim of the project was to improve the thermal fabric performance of the block and also to replicate the existing look. To achieve this, the client’s key requirements were two-fold. Firstly, to match the original external style as closely as possible in both colour and texture to satisfy the local authority’s requirements. The second key criteria was to ensure that all the systems used on the project were fully approved regarding fire performance, to meet the current regulations for buildings over the height of 18 meters in England. Delivering a robust, safe and aesthetic system solution to meet the project requirementsWe specified a combination of K Systems M VBriQ and K Systems M VBriQ+ to ensure we met the aesthetic planning requirements and comply with building regulations for resistance to fire in high-rise buildings. Our system incorporate mineral wool insulation which has an outstanding A1 non-combustible fire rating, which improves the thermal comfort and reduces heating costs for residents, whilst supporting Bristol City Council to meet their carbon emission targets.Our VBriQ acrylic brick slip finish was specified due to its lightweight characteristics and wide range of colours. Our Acrylic slips have a high UV resistance which will ensure the building maintains its appearance over time. Our VBriQ+ clay brick slip finish was specified for the ground floor and surrounding garage areas because of its robust and durable characteristics.Meeting the project deadlines and minimising disruptionsWe worked in collaboration with our approved installer Rateavon Ltd to ensure there was minimum disruption to the residents of Gaywood House. Our Technical team carried out regular site inspections to ensure the systems were installed to the highest standard with timely responses to technical detailing requests.

ChallengeThe project, at Winston Court in North Walsham, is organised by Benjamin’s Building Company, part of The Benjamin Foundation. Benjamin’s Building Company is a social enterprise that works to create homes, training and employment opportunities for vulnerable people. The ambitious venture will see the development of four, self-contained accommodation units. Seeking help in this task, The Benjamin Foundation turned to CRASH for assistance in locating suppliers and materials.SolutionKnauf Insulation donated 24 rolls of 150mm Loft Roll insulation, 48 rolls of 140mm Rafter Roll 40 and 72 rolls of 110mm FrameTherm® 32 for the project. These glass mineral wool insulation products are extremely easy to handle and install, being lightweight and easily cut to size, benefiting the large project.BenefitsBy its nature, Loft Roll is non- combustible and classified as Euroclass A1 to BS EN ISO 13501-1, a crucial requirement to any public building. Additionally, Loft Roll insulation has been manufactured with ECOSE® Technology which delivers superior environmental performance, as the binder technology is up to 70 per cent less energy intensive than traditional binders. The technology has been developed for Knauf Insulation’s glass and rock mineral wool products, enhancing their environmental credentials without affecting the thermal, acoustic or fire performance. Insulation products made with ECOSE® Technology contain no dye or artificial colours – the colour is completely natural.

The University of Salford’s new Science, Engineering and Environmental (SEE) building features a white RainScreen façade, punctuated by contrasting red window reveals with a sloping sill to form recessed windows. While this creates an impactful design statement, it proved challenging when it came to evaluating the RainScreen insulation performance.The thermal performance challengeFrom the outset the designers, in conjunction with the University, outlined a desire for non-combustible insulation. But the feature red reveal details meant there were restricted cavity widths near the windows, which would affect the depth of insulation that could be installed. Several Mineral Wool insulation manufacturers had been unwilling to undertake U-value calculations. This was because it was challenging to understand the weighted U-value across the different façade build-ups and determine the U-value uplift required to compensate for the shallower window reveal areas.Architects Sheppard Robson had previously worked with Knauf Insulation and engaged its Project Specification Team to discuss the challenge and develop calculations.After receiving the plans, Knauf Insulation undertook 3D U-value calculations and confirmed that they could meet the required thermal performance – and crucially it would mean no changes to the design or impact on the cavity widths.Accurate 3D U-value calculationsSo how could Knauf Insulation meet the brief when other manufacturers could not?The crucial factor was the type of U-value calculation used. Most manufacturers use the standard method, which calculates the U-value for the build-up without the metal substructure. Because this method doesn’t consider the effect of the metal penetration through the insulation, a blanket correction factor is added, which can lead to the under- or over-specification of insulation. Either way, it means that the insulation used in the finished project may not deliver the thermal performance that has been specified. And in the case of the SEE building, calculating the weighted U-value to prevent this was critical.Knauf Insulation uses numerical modelling (also known as 3D U-value calculations) as standard for all RainScreen façade projects. This methodology thermally models the build-up taking into account the complex interaction between the insulation and the bars and brackets of the steel framing system (SFS). As a result, it creates the most accurate available picture of how the build-up will perform thermally after construction.For the SEE building, the team undertook several different calculations changing elements of the build-up, including the substructure material and insulation widths, until they determined the optimal combination.High performance insulationBy using this rigorous calculation method, Knauf Insulation was able to meet the brief with a combination of 50mm and 160mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, along with 200mm OmniFit® Slab 35.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a Rock Mineral Wool slab that is BBA certified for use at any height and for the broadest range of thicknesses and build-ups on the market. It has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK.OmniFit® Slab 35, a Glass Mineral Wool slab with a thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK, is ideal for use in the SFS.Both Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Slab 35 are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so they will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. Thanks to their sound absorption characteristics, critical for low mass rainscreen structures, they will help create a quieter environment for the computer and science labs.A sustainable solutionThere was one other specification factor to consider – sustainability. The SEE building had been designed to minimise its environmental impact in line with the University of Salford’s campus master plan.Matthew Taylor, the project architect from Sheppard Robson, noted: “From early on, sustainability has been high on the SEE building agenda, including becoming one of the first all-electric University educational building.” The building will also be supported by photovoltaic panels on the roof.But while the use of renewable energy sources and high performance insulation will help lower the building’s operational carbon, it was important to keep embodied carbon to a minimum.Here Glass Mineral Wool scores highly too because it has the lowest embodied carbon of any mainstream insulation material.Knauf Insulation has proactively reduced the embodied carbon in its products over the years, as part of a broader set of activities to reduce its environmental impact. Specific actions to minimise its carbon footprint include initiatives to reduce road miles in both sourcing and distribution.For example, its Glass Mineral Wool products are manufactured using up to 80% recycled content, including glass collected from the local communities around its factories. The finished products are then compressed by up to 10:1 to fit more product into each lorry reducing transport related carbon emissions.Another innovation is ECOSE® Technology, its unique bio-based binder contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are also soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Ongoing supportThe through-wall build-up was installed by Metclad Contracts. As this was the first time they had worked with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, they also turned to the Specification Team for installation advice. They wanted to know whether the insulation should be fixed into the sheathing boards or the SFS.Knauf Insulation provided details of the fixing pattern together with the installation guide. They also facilitated meetings with their fixing partner to provide specialist technical support about pull out values and requirements for fixing into the substrate.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s extensive technical expertise and ongoing support, the vision for the University of Salford’s state-of-the-art SEE building has become a reality – without any compromise on thermal performance, fire safety, acoustic or sustainability.

Byker WallBauder Total Roof System (BTRS)SynopsisAs part of the £26 million refurbishment of this Grade II listed residential estate, which features a continuous block of over 600 properties, work was performed to not only repair the existing roof but to bring Byker Wall to the forefront of modernday roofing technology with the installation of a state-of-the-art photovoltaic system.Bauder Building BoardProject:Byker WallLocation:Newcastle upon TyneRoof Area:4,500m²Specifier:Your Homes NewcastleMain Contractor:KeepmoatApproved Contractor:Hodgson SayersProducts appliedBauder Total Roof SystemAn integrated bituminous system with a life expectancy in excess of 40 years as stated in BBA cert,BauderSOLARPhotovoltaic system was installed with 132 PV modules being fitted.The resultBefore replacing the existing waterproofing the team needed to convert the pitched metal roof back to its original flat roof status by removing the profiled metal sheets and timber framework. Subsequently, Hodgson Sayers then installed 4,500m² of Bauder’s top quality reinforced bitumen system, which included a highly efficient 120 mm PIR insulation. Four of the ten housing blocks were fitted with 132 PV Modules, enabling Byker Wall to generate at least 39.6 Megawatt Hours of solar power each year. All work was completed on time and to budget in December 2015, much to the delight of all project stakeholders.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 BauderTEC KSA DUO 35A technically advanced self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen underlayer with “DUO” lap technology to ensure thorough sealing of lap joints, even in lower temperatures.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.AdvocacyKevin Scott, Property Services Manager at Your Homes Newcastle:“Byker Wall is an exceptional example of how modern roofing can revive a historical landmark. Bauder and Hodgson Sayers delivered a roofing solution of the highest quality giving us total confidence in the future performance of the roof.”

Knauf Insulation is delighted to have been appointed as preferred insulation supplier to innovative new housebuilder, HarperCrewe. In addition to supplying their Supafil® and Loft Roll glass mineral wool solutions, Knauf Insulation will provide support to HarperCrewe’s team, from the design phase through to installation. Their first collaboration is already underway at The Steadings, HarperCrewe’s new neighbourhood of homes in Cirencester, and future projects look set to benefit from the same end-to-end support service. John Nunney, Commercial Director for HarperCrewe explains, “Outstanding build quality is at the forefront of our approach but, as a smaller business, it can be harder to get first pick at the best products on the market. Supafil® 34 is in demand because it’s straightforward to install and it works as it’s supposed to, so our relationship with Knauf Insulation is very important to us. It means we have consistent access to reliable, high-quality products that form an essential part of our builds.” Working closely with HarperCrewe’s design team from the very beginning of the process, Knauf Insulation’s Housing Specification Managers have already helped the business to navigate the latest updates to Part L of the Building Regulations. Advice on SAP calculations and detail drawings, as well as guidance to optimise their insulation specification have helped HarperCrewe’s team meet the new requirements, without compromising on their existing priorities. Of course, getting the specification right is just the first step, so Knauf Insulation’s support will continue well beyond the design phase. As projects move into construction, Housing Specification Managers will attend site start meetings and discuss each plot with HarperCrewe’s team. This will allow them to identify the right time for installation to take place, preventing the product’s performance from being compromised by subsequent construction work. When that time comes, Knauf Insulation’s Regional Technical Managers will be on-hand to offer advice to site teams as needed and ensure a smooth installation.  For projects using Supafil® insulation, HarperCrewe will have access to a list of Approved Supafil® Installers, who have the necessary training and experience to deliver a high-quality installation. Those installers will in turn have access to KinetiK®, Knauf Insulation’s app-based site reporting system that creates an instant digital record of installations.  Using the app on their mobile device, the installer will simply select their site and plot number, take a photo of each elevation, scan the unique QR code on each pack of Supafil®, and install the product as specified. HarperCrewe will then receive confirmation that the specified product has been installed. Not only will this provide additional confidence in the specification integrity, it will also streamline HarperCrewe’s reporting process, giving them more time to focus on the ‘big picture’ aspects of their development. 

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council unit required refurbishment due to its poorly insulated roof and subsequent thermal issues. The 2.000ft2 apex roof and adjoining service areas were refurbished to improve thermal performance with a total of 98, 50mm and 100mm thickness Eurothane® GP boards applied to the building.Spencer Crossley, the store owner explained:"The Eurothane® GP panels have done a fantastic job. They’ve made a huge impact on thermal conditions inside the shop. It means I can keep the store open later. The insulation within the refurbished roof has made for a more enjoyable shopping experience for customers and better working conditions. I’m extremely happy with this fantastic product."About Eurothane® GP:Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installers

Tapered roof insulation offers drainage and fabric performance on roof of Grade ‘A’ Office development

When the government instructed people to work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the gym where Wirral-based personal trainer Megan Hewitt worked closed down. So, Megan and partner Dan decided to build a fitness studio in their garden to allow her to conduct video personal training sessions during lockdown. To ensure the 6m x 3m timber frame building would be suitable for use all year round, it was essential to insulate the roof and walls.The couple researched various types of insulation online and narrowed it down to Mineral Wool because of its thermal performance and fire safety. They had three other considerations: it had to be good at blocking noise, have excellent sustainability credentials, and be easy to install, as they planned to fit it themselves.Just one product for all applicationsTheir research showed that Knauf Insulation 50mm and 70mm OmniFit Slab ticked all the boxes. It is a multi-application slab, meaning the couple didn’t need to purchase separate products for the roof and walls. What’s more, it offers a higher level of thermal performance than alternative versatile slabs on the market.It is manufactured from Glass Mineral Wool and is non-combustible with a Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification, meaning it will not add to the development or spread of a fire should it occur.Keeping quietAs any exercise fanatic knows, a good workout needs a strong soundtrack and Megan wanted to motivate clients without becoming a noisy neighbour. OmniFit Slab provides excellent levels of acoustic performance thanks to its open fibre structure that absorbs sound waves.Insulation that doesn’t cost the earthSustainability was another important factor for the couple. Like all of Knauf Insulation’s Glass Mineral Wool insulation, it is manufactured from up to 80% recycled content, mostly used glass bottles and jars that would otherwise go to landfill.It is also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally-friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded the Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold Standard.Its softness was a benefit that Megan noticed during installation. She said: “I remember helping my Dad with our ‘old-school’ Mineral Wool loft insulation when I was younger and it was horrible, it irritated my skin for 24 hours after. But the OmniFit was fine – there was no irritation whatsoever.”Installation was no sweatA tight fit between joints is essential to eliminate gaps that can reduce thermal and acoustic performance, but with some types of insulation it can be difficult to achieve the high quality installation required. OmniFit Slab is manufactured to provide friction fitting to ensure all joints are sealed correctly. Despite having no previous experience, Megan, Dan and a friend fitted the 40m2 OmniFit Slab themselves over the course of a day.“Before fitting the insulation, we watched an installation video on YouTube,” said Megan. “We followed the techniques shown and it was really easy to install. We had no problems at all.”“I’m delighted with the finished result. When the fitness studio was finished, we kept turning up the stereo to see whether the insulation really was soundproof – even at full blast, you couldn’t hear the music outside. It’s amazing.”“Before we put the insulation in, I was exercising in winter gear with the radiator on full – now the studio is lovely and warm. I’m back in vests and I haven’t had to put the heating on at all.”Thanks to Knauf Insulation OmniFit Slab, Megan and her clients can enjoy a high energy workout in a warm, safe environment – without disturbing her neighbours. What’s more, the insulation is sustainable and will ensure the studio’s energy consumption and carbon emissions are low over its lifetime. Note: Megan, Dan and her friend maintained social distancing guidelines during the insulation install. Megan continues to follow government guidelines for the operation of gyms and exercise facilities, conducting her sessions online when in-person training is not possible.

ChallengeFor the air traffic controllers at Birmingham Airport, concentration is critical to ensuring the safety of the hundreds of passenger jets that take off and land every day. Studies show office workers lose concentration when noise levels hit 55dB; however, the sound of just one medium-sized aircraft descending at 1,000ft is 70dB.SolutionWith this in mind, noise reduction was an essential factor in the specification of the insulation for the 105ft air traffic control tower. The airport’s developers consulted Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team for advice. The Technical Support Team recommended Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, a non-combustible Rock Mineral Wool insulation designed for use in high-rise rainscreen façade systems.Mineral Wool insulation has superior acoustic performance because of its open structure, which traps sound between the individual strands and turns it into heat energy.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is quick and easy to install and adapts to minor imperfections in the substrate. Slabs are flexible and knit together eliminating air gaps for maximum acoustic and thermal performance, making it perfect for use on the curved walls of the funnel shaped control tower. The same level of acoustic performance could not have been achieved with rigid foam boards, which have closed cell structures that offer virtually no sound absorption. Rigid foam boards are also more prone to air gaps, reducing acoustic performance further.As well as excellent acoustic and thermal performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. This means it will not contribute to the spread or development of fire should it occur.Another factor in the specification of Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was sustainability. It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, so it is more environmentally friendly. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Thanks to Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab the air traffic controllers at Birmingham Airport can enjoy a quieter, warmer, safer and more sustainable workplace."Acoustic protection, energy performance, fire safety and sustainability were all crucial factors taken into account during the design of the air traffic control tower and so all materials specified with the project needed to meet these multiple requirements. We are extremely pleased with the building."Will Heynes, Birmingham Airport’s Development Director

New primary school building is on course for BREEAM ‘Excellent’ with a specification including underfloor insulation boards

Our tapered roofing insulation was installed on London's first cable car system spanning the River Thames

A stunning community campus is supporting learning, health and wellbeing with a leading specification featuring Kingspan underfloor insulation boards.

Saffron Health medical centre has successfully created highly adaptable space where doctors, nurses and other staff can run meetings and training sessions. Working with P&HS Architects and Wildgoose Construction, partitioning experts Style installed two manually operated Dorma Hüppe Variflex ML100 moveable wall systems, allowing the area to be quickly divided into up to three small rooms, as required. This capital investment will deliver a good return in the long run, saving money by accommodating several meetings at one time, avoiding the need to hire external training rooms or to pay for staff to travel to other medical centres.

London’s oldest station receives a significant upgrade to meet its increasing demands including optimum performance floor insulation

Salamander Street is a mid-market rent initiative that provides high quality affordable homes in the heart of Leith, Edinburgh. It comprises 199 flats and maisonettes across six storeys of accommodation, constructed over a basement car park.It was designed by 7N Architects, which specified Knauf Insulation’s 50mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab to insulate the ventilated façade. They chose this product because it met the brief’s two critical performance factors: thermal performance and fire safety.It is a Rock Mineral Wool insulation slab with a thermal conductivity of 0.034W/mK, so it delivers the required U-value of 0.16 W/m2K. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification and is BBA certified for use in a wide range of build-ups in high rise buildings. This means it complies with Building Regulations in Scotland that restrict the use of combustible materials on most buildings over 11m.The Salamander Street development was overseen by main contractor Cruden Building East with sub-contractor Soundtex responsible for installing the insulation.It was constructed using an Ancon Brick Restraint System. Ancon has undertaken independent third-party tests to demonstrate that its restraint system does not require a compression sleeve when used in conjunction with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab under 180mm thick. This provided a huge saving in labour costs for Soundtex as fasteners are usually inserted into compression sleeves by hand.Throughout the build, Knauf Insulation’s Specification Team attended regular project meetings and conducted site visits to check the quality and progress of installation. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is optimised for ease of installation and improved robustness, making it easy to manoeuvre into position. At Salamander Street, the Specification Team noted the uniformity of installation and perfectly staggered joints. This is important because it ensures there are no gaps, which could reduce thermal and acoustic performance – a common issue with rigid foam board insulation.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.The Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab insulation was installed in conjunction with Knauf Windliner sheathing board for maximum performance.Thanks to Knauf Insulation, the residents of Salamander Street will enjoy warm, cosy homes that meet the highest standards of fire safety.

A 1963 Vanwide railway goods wagon with plans to turn it into a garden room for a family. To get the wagon to a usable state, a full strip out was required, leaving only the metal casing of the original wagon remaining. Once the wagon was stripped back, there wasn’t much metal remaining for the roof, only six thin metal trusses were left. Due to the shape of the wagon, insulation was needed that not only performed well but was fully flexible to fit the arched roof. It was also important that the insulation had a shallow profile to fit into the narrow space. Looking to insulate the 2m x 5m roof, careful consideration had to be given to retaining the original look of the carriage.

ROJECT NAME: RENOVATION PRODUCT SUPPLIED SUPPLIED: INSTALLER SELFBUILD CONTRACT FLOORS AEROMIX was chosen for this renovation project thanks to its many benefits of offering warmth, smoothness of finish and speed of install. This project came with a challenging access issue meaning a long pump distance and lots of services in the floor AEROMIX was the perfect solution. This was the perfect product, providing an ideal solution for the insulation for this project. Reducing CO2 due to reduced carbon emissions within the product. The installer who completed this project SELFBUILD CONTRACT FLOORS said AEROMIX was poured as insulated ground baring slab, installed at 250mm deep achieving the required 0.11 u-value, this allowed the customer to clip the UFH pipes directly to it before being topped with a 65mm C20 liquid screed AEROMIX provided the ideal solution for the insulation on this project, compared to the normal concrete floor and other traditional methods, the speed of pumping the insulation coupled with the high thermal properties has contributed in saving the customer both time and money. 

Hockley Mills is a prestigious mixed-used development comprising 395 apartments and 28,000 sq ft of commercial space with a new entrance to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter train station – and undercroft parking for 116 cars. Car parks present a unique set of challenges when it comes to the specification of soffit insulation and Hockley Mills was no exception. There were several factors to consider. As well as thermal performance, fire safety was essential – so the insulation had to be non-combustible. It also needed to reduce sound transfer to ensure that residents and workers in the building would not be disturbed by vehicle noise from the car park below.  As well as meeting the specification factors, the insulation needed to be delivered to site in line with a tight schedule of works; an issue that was more complex than usual because it was set against a backdrop of heightened demand for construction products such as insulation.  Meeting the brief With this in mind, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd approached its Strategic Supply Chain Partner, Knauf Insulation, to discuss the best available solutions for the Hockley Mills car park. Knauf Insulation’s Project Specification Team conducted U-value calculations and recommended that 130mm Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard would meet the three critical performance requirements of the brief. Manufactured from rock mineral wool, Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard is designed to insulate structural soffits in applications such as open-sided car parks. It has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034 W/mK, so will deliver the stipulated 0.16 W/m²K U-value required for the separating floor. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, so will not add to the development or spread of fire should it occur. This means it is ideal for enhancing the fire safety of buildings of any height.  Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard also has excellent sound absorption characteristics, so will help to reduce the transfer of noise from the car park to the properties above. Additional advice and support Once the product had been determined, the Knauf Insulation Project Specification Team provided details about the choice of finish available. Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd opted for Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard, which has a black tissue face finish. The Project Specification Team also advised on the required fixing pattern and set up meetings with their fixing partner who provided technical support such as pull-out value calculations. When it was time for Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd to order the insulation for Hockley Mills, there were high levels of demand across the whole construction sector causing significant challenges in obtaining materials. Knauf Insulation worked closely with distributor CCF to ensure the insulation was delivered to site in full within the required time frame. Wider benefits of Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard has been designed for ease of correct installation. Its enhanced rigidity means it can be quickly manoeuvred into place. Once in position, the mineral wool adapts to the substrate preventing gaps that can reduce thermal, fire and acoustic performance.  Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Standard also contributes to the building’s sustainability credentials. It is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders. Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. This means they are kinder to the installers who use them too. By working with their Strategic Supply Chain Partner, Knauf Insulation, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd received the technical and product advice they needed to choose the right soffit solution for Hockley Mills. A solution that will ensure residents are warm and comfortable, as well as helping to keep them and their homes and businesses fire safe. 

Agar Grove is a multi-award-winning development, created by 5-star housebuilder, The Hill Group for Camden Council, as part of their Community Investment Programme. With a proposed 507 new homes, once complete Agar Grove will be the largest Passivhaus development in the UK.Knauf Insulation’s glass blowing mineral wool Supafil® has been specified for Phase 1C of the project, which comprises 125 homes. We spoke to Hill’s Senior Technical Coordinator, Ben Clarke and Senior Contract Surveyor, Matthew Bricknell about the needs of the project.Prioritising real performancePassivhaus is an internationally recognised building standard, resulting in very high energy efficiency. For the residents of Agar Grove, this will mean greater thermal comfort, alongside reduced energy bills.Achieving the Passivhaus standard requires a complex balance of design factors to create high levels of insulation and airtightness. To ensure their designs would deliver in the real world, it was therefore important for Hill to specify products which would perform as well in situ as they did on paper.As Ben explains, “We chose to use blown-in insulation because of its real-world thermal performance. Installing insulation boards can sometimes mean gaps are left between them, which leads to cold bridges in the build. But that can be more easily avoided with a blown-in product.”To provide further quality assurance, Hill has appointed contractors from Knauf Insulation’s network of Approved Supafil® Installers. Trained by Knauf Insulation’s own Regional Technical Managers, they have the necessary product knowledge and expertise to ensure a quality installation.Using Supafil® will also mean that less product is wasted on-site. When rigid insulation boards are cut to size, offcuts are often discarded because they are difficult to use elsewhere. By contrast, Supafil® has a zero-waste potential. When the cavity is full any excess product remains in the insulation blowing machine hopper, ready to be installed on the next plot, and when the job is complete Supafil®’s packaging can be recycled. Ben says: “As a responsible business, Hill is always looking for ways to reduce waste on our projects wherever we can, and this solution will help us to do that”.Evidencing qualityThe Passivhaus accreditation requires Hill to demonstrate the energy efficiency of Agar Grove, which will involve data collection throughout the build and thermal imaging of the finished product. As Matt explains, “We have a significant quality assurance requirement. We need to be able to show Camden Council that we have insulated the building as specified and that’s not always a simple task – particularly with blown-in solutions which by their nature, are hidden within the cavity.”To help meet this challenge, Hill’s Approved Supafil® Installers will use Knauf Insulation’s app-based site reporting system, KinetiK®. The app allows the installer to select their site and plot number on their mobile device, photograph the elevation, and then scan each pack of Supafil® as it’s installed.Matt continues, “KinetiK® will enable us to confirm that the insulation has gone in as specified. This is essential for our client, but it also gives us confidence too. If areas are missed during an install, there are time and cost implications, so having a tool like KinetiK® will provide us with added assurance that the cavity has been fully filled.” Agar Grove will be the latest in a number of Passivhaus projects which Knauf Insulation has supported. Read more about Preston Springs, North Yorkshire here and Denby Dale, one of the first certified Passivhaus homes in the UK, here.

Middlewood Locks is a prestigious 25-acre mixed-use regeneration scheme of Salford’s canal district. The first development phase included the construction of Quarry, an eight-storey building combining ground floor commercial space, luxury apartments and an undercroft car park for residents. It was the insulation for this car park that threw up a challenge for sub-contractor Horbury Building Systems. A complex underdrawing method had been specified, comprising the installation of timber battens, non-combustible mineral wool insulation and a separate soffit insulation over the top. Installation would be extremely labour-intensive, so Horbury Building Systems consulted Knauf Insulation about whether it could provide an alternative that would meet the thermal performance and fire safety requirements, but also be easy to install. Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team reviewed the specification and recommended 185mm Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Extra to achieve the required 0.18 W/m2K U-value.  Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Extra is a Rock Mineral Wool insulation slab bonded to a 6mm off-white weather resistant facing board which provides a two-in-one aesthetic and thermal solution. It has a low thermal conductivity of just 0.034 W/mK and is designed for use as an insulated underlining solution in semi-exposed environments. The off-white cementitious particle board reflects light which makes it ideally suited for use in car parks. As well as thermal performance, Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Extra is non-combustible. It has the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, so it will not contribute to the development or spread of a fire should it occur. This is important because car parks can contain large quantities of a potential propellant – petrol. So the insulation will help to ensure the fire safety of the rest of the building.   Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Extra also has good sound absorption characteristics so it provides high levels of sound reduction. This reduces noise from the car park, minimising disruption for the people living and working in the premises above. As well as meeting the specification, Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Extra has been enhanced to add rigidity and is easy to install. The board is simply placed onto the concrete soffit and fixed into position with five drillscrews. This reduced the installation method from three separate phases to just one, saving Horbury Building Systems time and associated labour costs. Stephen Hampshire, Contracts Manager at Horbury Building Systems said: “We found the panels easy to install. Firstly, we marked and drilled the fixing points at bench level. Next, we held the panels in place to the underside of the concrete – although the panels are lightweight ‘this is a two-handed operation’ – then we drilled through and fixed.”  “We took care in lining the panels together when installing it against the soffit and with some minor tweaking up and down we got a nice flush finish.” Being able to align the panels exactly is not only important for ensuring a good finish. It also means that the slabs will butt tightly together, reducing unintended air gaps which can reduce thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance.  The insulation was supplied to the Middlewood Locks construction site by distributor Galaxy Insulation.  Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® Soffit Linerboard Extra, the underlining of the car park at Middlewood Locks was easy to install, is aesthetically pleasing, and provides complete thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance.

Factory International will transform the former Granada Studios into a world-class cultural and arts venue in the heart of Manchester. It features The Hall, a large auditorium, and The Warehouse, a flexible multi-purpose space that is taller than four double-decker buses, longer than a jumbo jet and can accommodate 5,000 visitors.Alongside the two public events spaces are The Towers, which house the ground floor entrance foyer, five floors of office space and a plant room at the top of the building. Noise reduces productivity by 66% so when it came to specifying the soffit insulation for The Towers, the architect wanted a solution that would limit airborne sound transfer and reverberation.The insulation would be on display, so aesthetics was also important, and because Factory International will cater for large crowds of people, the chosen solution needed to be non-combustible.Meeting the briefThe architects specified Knauf Insulation’s 50mm Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec for the soffit insulation in the ground floor foyer of the Warehouse area, main feature staircase, offices and plant room of The Towers.Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec is a cement-bonded wood wool panel combined with a rock mineral wool insulation core. Both materials have an open structure that naturally absorbs the kinetic energy of sound waves, turning them into heat. It is also non-combustible with an Euroclass A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification.Crucially, the Heraklith® wood wool range is also designed for applications where aesthetics is important because the panel is on display. It features bevelled edges and comes in nature tone as standard, or can be ordered in any RAL colour upon request, to create a stylish, uniform finish.To compliment the design schemes in the different zones across the building, contractors, Mansell Building Solutions, ordered the panels in a combination of midnight blue, pebble grey, anthracite and black.Scheduling deliveriesAs the Factory International site is quite compact, there was little room available for storage. So, Knauf Insulation worked closely with distributor Encon Insulation to ensure the insulation was held in stock. Smaller deliveries were then made in line with Mansell Building Solutions’s schedule of works. This ensured that the insulation could be installed as soon as it arrived on site.The product is quick and easy to install. Panels are fixed into position by installing Heraklith® DDS Plus Concrete Screws into each corner and the centre of the panel. The fastener heads have a patented wood wool texture to enhance the finished appearance.Ultimately, installing Heraklith® Tektalan A2 SmartTec onto the soffits in The Towers and the ground floor foyer of the Warehouse not only compliments the design scheme and contributes to fire safety, but it will enable the team behind the events at Factory International to enjoy a quieter working environment too. 

At 73m, Thames Quarter is Reading’s second tallest building. It will include 315 built-to-rent apartments, a hub for tech start-ups, a cinema, dining rooms, roof terraces and a residents’ lounge overlooking the Thames.Specialist contractor Precision Façades chose high-performance insulation solutions that would not only contribute to homeowner comfort but would also be kinder to installers. The company specified more than 20,000m2 of Knauf Insulation’s Glass and Rock Mineral Wool insulation for the project.Steve McGowen, Managing Director of Precision Façades explained that Knauf Insulation is the company’s preferred supplier thanks to the high level of support it provides. He said: “Knauf Insulation’s Sales Team are always on hand to help us with our orders, they also have a Technical Team who can provide 3D U-value calculations, and crucially, they are always able to deliver our orders quickly.”The design called for a variety of façade panels manufactured from different materials and finishes, which affected the thermal performance required across the build. To accommodate this, Precision Façades used Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab in four different thicknesses (50mm, 100mm, 140mm and 190mm) for the rainscreen façade. It also used 100mm and 150mm OmniFit® Roll 40 within the steel framing system.Both Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Roll 40 offer the required levels of thermal performance. They are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. This means both products meet the requirements of building regulations in England and Wales banning the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has also been certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) for use in high rise residential applications.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Roll 40 also have excellent sound absorption characteristics ensuring quiet spaces for residents, even while moviegoers enjoy surround sound.In addition to delivering the required thermal performance, both Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Roll 40 improve installer’s experience of using Mineral Wool. This is because they are manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol.Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.As well as being kind to installers, ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab and OmniFit® Roll 40, residents at Thames Quarter will enjoy warm, safe, and comfortable homes, built with insulation that is kinder to installers and the environment.

New primary school is ready for the future with a fabric first specification including Kooltherm floor insulation

A Victorian mill transformed into CAT-B office space with a retrofit featuring premium performance roof insulation.

BackgroundBelfast City Council designed Walkways Community Centre with the local community in mind, providing them with places to both work and play. In this £1.37m project, the original portable modular building was demolished and replaced with a new 575 square metre build. The two storeys include a creche and soft play area, a 250sqm sports hall and a series of multipurpose rooms for meetings and courses aimed at the local people. Main contractor, McKelvey Construction led the project and worked alongside Michael Whitley Architects to design and deliver the most appropriate solution for Belfast City Council and the local community. K Systems provided on-site technical support and installation guidance throughout the build which resulted in delivery of a modern, aesthetically pleasing facility that achieved the target U-value of 0.18W/m ² K. Our ServiceHaving originally specified rainscreen cladding, K Systems technical team worked with the architect to design a bespoke engineered system with the drained cavity to suit the metsec frame. Regular site visits from our team ensured support was available throughout the build. The Centre is located on a busy street with limited surrounding space, so we had to manage a very congested, condensed site with deliveries planned and arranged by appointment only. We worked closely with McKelvey Construction to manage such challenges and ensure that local access for residents was uninterrupted, as well as ensuring the overall safety of the site area. From design advice through to installation, we offered a partnership approach which ensured a smooth installation process with minimal disruption, and the delivery of a fantastic community centre for the local area to enjoy. Technical Project Details Originally rainscreen cladding was specified for the Walkways project. However during the construction process, due to spiralling material costs and budget restraints, this was deemed too expensive so alternative solutions had to be sourced. It was decided an external insulation system would be used and a ventilated cavity system was required, as this provides a secondary defence in commercial buildings like Walkways. The K Systems Exicco E drained cavity façade system was specified as it ticked all the boxes. Exicco provides excellent protection and can offer an excellent fire rating of up to A2-s1,d0, providing high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility. The drained cavity behind the insulation in the Exicco system will ensure that any interstitial moisture will escape without detriment to the performance of the system. As EWI was not originally specified for the project, no metsec frame had been designed. This is a crucial element for the Exicco system, which meant a bespoke metsec frame had to be designed specifically to suit our system. The Exicco E system for Walkways used Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation boards that were mechanically fixed and attached to 12mm BBA Approved sheathing boards to create a 25mm drained cavity. EPS boards are extremely light-weight and the system offers a great fire rating of B-s1,d0. It is a high performing, economical system that generates high levels of thermal performance and ensured the target U-value of 0.18W/m ² K. was achieved. For the finish, Silkolitt+ silicone renders ensured a clean, crisp contemporary finish that offers protection to the exterior of the community centre. The flexibility of this finish provides resistance against cracking and increases the durability, ensuring a long-lasting finish for Walkways. 

Located in Shoreditch, the Waterson Building is a newly developed luxury residential facility. Maximising floor space, elegant glass enclosed winter gardens are accessed from both the bedroom/lounge areas of many of the properties. Successfully delineating the winter garden from the rest of the interior, a Dorma Hüppe Varitrans glass moveable wall system has been installed by sole UK distributor, Style. The Varitrans has been independently impact/pressure tested and works in tandem with externally installed louvred panels to provide free air space to residents of high-rise developments where wind and air pressure are at their strongest.

The Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham will feature a range of leisure, sports and community facilities. As each of the activities taking place will require different indoor temperatures – warm or cool – to keep users comfortable, a high-performing insulation solution was essential.Thermal performance wasn’t the only factor in insulation choice for specialist façade contractor Teampol. At just 14m high, the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation. But non-combustibility was still a key consideration in installing 2,300m2 of Knauf Insulation’s OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab.“The original specification was for a combustible phenolic insulation,” said Scott Millins, Quantity Surveyor at Teampol. “But there’s always that concern at the back of my mind of ‘what if the worst happened?’ so I will only use non-combustible insulation whatever the height of the building. Plus, there’s a very real possibility that regulations may change again, and I don’t want my projects to need costly remedial work further down the line.”“I approached several manufacturers for a non-combustible alternative. They weren’t able to do the calculations quickly and couldn’t meet the U-value required without increasing the depth of the rainscreen insulation from 80mm to 120mm, which would have impacted the whole design.”By this point, finding a solution was critical, otherwise the entire project would be delayed. Millins approached Knauf Insulation’s Specification Team for support and product advice stressing the need for a fast turnaround. Within 24 hours, the Technical Support Team had conducted 3D U-value calculations and a condensation analysis.They recommended 150mm OmniFit® Slab 35 for the steel frame stud with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the façade. Crucially, this combination meant they were able to meet the U-value of 0.22 W/m2K and keep to the original 80mm insulation depth specified for the rainscreen.“Knauf Insulation were fast, responsive and helpful,” explained Scott. “From our initial conversations, it was clear they had the technical expertise, and this was backed up by an extremely quick turnaround for all the supporting calculations that I needed to move forward with the job.”Both OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offer exceptional levels of thermal performance. They are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is BBA certified for use at any height.OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab also have excellent sound absorption characteristics which will help ensure that any sports and community activities taking place inside don’t disturb local residents.As well as Knauf Insulation’s technical advice and product performance, the consistency and quality of the two products have impressed Millins and the Teampol installation team.“Installation of both OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has gone extremely smoothly. They’re both quick and easy to fit and it helps that these Mineral Wool products from Knauf Insulation are nice and soft – our installation team love working with them,” added Millins.This softness is thanks to the ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology are also easy to handle, generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.As well as being kind to installers, ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is kinder to the environment too.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s rapid response and technical support, Teampol was able to meet the thermal requirements for the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre project using non-combustible insulation – all while keeping to the tight build schedule.

Soaring 75 floors above the city, the breath-taking Sky Terrace spans the top floor of the Landmark Pinnacle building.Chalegrove Properties, the developer of Landmark Pinnacle, working with Squire and Partners and Farrer Huxley Landscape Architects had a collective vision to create a unique space befitting of the exceptional views which surround the roof garden. The space has been designed as a pair of landscaped external terraces providing spectacular panoramic views over London, while offering a healthy environment embracing biophilia to ensure residents can connect with nature in an otherwise urban setting.Biotecture’s living walls create lush green backdrops for both the east and west terraces. The green walls are constructed using Biotecture’s patented hydroponic living wall system, which was developed by the founders of the company in 2007 and remains the most flexible, resilient, and low water use of any fully comprehensive living wall system anywhere in the world.Living walls are a space efficient way to bring more plants into urban areas where space is literally and financially at a premium. Bringing more greenery into urban spaces can help reduce stress and anxiety, and together with the wider planting scheme, the living walls form the backdrop for a tranquil and relaxing place for residents and their guests to unwind. Living walls have also been proven to improve air quality, cool urban areas, and increase biodiversity.The lighting scheme was designed by Hoare Lee to bring the wall to life in the evening.Design and Project ManagementBiotecture were first approached by Charlgrove Properties in 2020. Squire and Partners and Farrer Huxley Landscape Architects had a clear vision for what they wanted. Our design and project management team were able to take the project forward, advising on technical requirements and producing drawings.Selection of Plant PalletteAll plants used in Biotecture’s living walls are selected from Biotecture’s plant database to suit the local climatic conditions, including aspect, wind conditions and shade. Level 75 is the UK’s highest living wall, and the roof terrace is open to the elements. The plants were selected to withstand high exposure to sunlight and wind.The plant selection is mainly hardy and robust evergreen plants with dashes of colour creating a naturalistic background overlaid with bursts of seasonal interest.HorticultureOur BioPanel system incorporates Grodan as a growing medium. It is dimensionally stable, chemically inert, and supremely water efficient making it ideal for living walls. The living walls were planted up in our West Sussex Nursery and allowed to mature for 12 weeks before being installed on site. This ensured the living walls looked fantastic from day one. The living walls include an integrated irrigation system which is being remotely monitored from Biotecture’s head office.InstallationThe fully planted up BioPanels were fixed to aluminum cladding rails mounted onto a waterproof backing board. The team worked closely with Chalegrove to ensure the living walls were delivered to the required schedule.MaintenanceOur living wall system gives the plants the best opportunity to flourish, and our maintenance operatives know how to keep them that way. Our team will carry out regular horticultural visits to keep the walls looking their best.Photos by Oliver Dixon, courtesy of Chalegrove Properties

As part of its ongoing work to improve the energy efficiency of its homes, over the last two years Clarion Housing Group has retrofitted 505 homes across Fenland, Tonbridge and Malling which had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below. Among them were 13 bungalows in the Chapel Gardens development in Benwick. The work was part-financed via the first wave of the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), which was launched in 2021 to help social housing providers and local authorities increase the EPC rating of their properties to C or above. All social housing provided by registered providers was eligible for SHDF wave one funding, regardless of archetype, and the work being carried out is designed to tackle issues associated with fuel poverty including mould and condensation.    As a registered provider of social housing, Clarion could apply for the funding as part of a consortium with Fenland District Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. The £4.35m secured by the two local authorities was match funded by Clarion, which is working closely with its main contractor Equans to upgrade the homes. “We were already carrying out works to improve residents’ homes under existing maintenance contracts, in line with the government’s 2030 EPC C target, but this funding has allowed us to accelerate and increase the scale of it all, ultimately improving more homes much faster,” said Daniel Archard, asset sustainability manager at Clarion. Meeting PAS 2035 standards  Sarsvati Varsani is part of Equans’ dedicated specialist retrofit team. As a senior technical retrofit advisor for the contractor, she is overseeing the process in terms of energy efficiency and compliance. She said: “The delivery of all SHDF projects must be PAS 2035 compliant, which specifies a whole-house or whole-building approach to retrofit. It means that energy efficiency measures should be installed with the requirement of the entire building in mind – both from a technical standpoint and considering factors like occupant comfort. “The SHDF facilitates a multi-measure approach to allow us to upgrade Clarion’s least energy-efficient homes to meet the PAS 2035 specification using more than one measure. For example, as well as replacing insulation we are also installing air source heat pumps at the properties where necessary. “I’m working closely with the site team, retrofit designer and contracts manager to address any issues throughout and ensure that every measure is compliant with the standard. Representatives from Clarion and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero also conduct site visits to review progress throughout.” One of the key principles of wave one of the SHDF is a fabric-first approach. This ensures heat loss prevention measures are installed before other energy efficiency measures, to maximise the dwelling’s suitability for low carbon heating either now or in the future, and to benefit tenants in terms of comfort, health, well-being and bills. The Chapel Gardens bungalows had an original U-value of 1.43W/m²Km, so this was going to take considerable changes. Having been built between 1967 and 1975, the cavity insulation in the bungalows was no longer fit for purpose as it had slumped to the bottom or – in some cases – didn’t even exist. It has now been replaced with a polystyrene bead insulation. The benefits of external wall insulation As part of the fabric-first approach being taken by Equans and Clarion, Saint-Gobain Weber’s External Wall Insulation (EWI) system was specified for the bungalows to improve their thermal efficiency. It is being installed by FRT Property Services Ltd, which is PAS 2030:2019 certified – something that is required of all of the subcontractors working on this project. By gaining PAS 2030:2019 certification, retrofit installers can demonstrate that they have installed energy efficiency measures that meet the required specifications, and have delivered on customer requirements and expectations in accordance with TrustMark standards. FRT Property Services – which began working on Chapel Gardens in January 2023 – specialises in EWI and its director Farhat Ahmed and Operations Director Radu Ursache helped to ensure work was delivered to Weber standards, on time and within budget.  For this project, Farhat’s team installed webertherm XM with 100mm of webertherm MFD insulation. The SHDF stipulates an energy performance outcome of 90kWh/m2/year, with a target U-value of 0.30 W/m²K. The addition of EWI from Weber was critical in enabling Clarion to meet the SHDF space heating demand performance outcome, as the replacement cavity wall insulation alone wouldn’t suffice – with the properties only achieving 0.44W/m²K. Having requested that the retrofit work didn’t change the aesthetic of the bungalows, the planners wanted to maintain a brick finish. To achieve this, weberwall brick was specified along with the webertherm XM EWI system. This innovative brick slip system is lightweight and quick to install, containing the equivalent of 20 brick faces per sheet. It is available in a wide range of colours including Antique Buff, which meant it was possible to closely match the surrounding buildings.  Farhat said: “The team at Weber has been very helpful throughout the process and applications manager Linda Twidale showed my team how to install the product. It’s very simple and provided the like-for-like result the client wanted; as far as brick slip systems go, weberwall brick provides the closest match to real bricks I’ve seen while working in this sector.” It was important to Clarion that the residents of the bungalows were able to remain in their homes while the work was completed which is why EWI was the perfect solution. Farhat’s team worked closely with Equans’ retrofit liaison officers and other subcontractors, including the scaffolding and utilities companies, to ensure everything went smoothly and the homeowners were not inconvenienced.  By installing the webertherm XM EWI system, the U-value at the properties has been improved to an efficient 0.20 W/m²K – far exceeding the target of 0.30W/m²K. Once all of the retrofit work has been completed, the bungalows will undergo a post-works EPC assessment and are expected to achieve a C rating. The new insulation will provide improved thermal performance all year round, helping to keep residents’ homes cooler throughout the summer and warmer in the winter. It is predicted that those living in upgraded Clarion properties will save between £300 and £500 on their energy bills each year. Switchee smart thermostats have been installed in some properties to relay data to Clarion, enabling them to monitor the energy consumption of the properties. Within six months, Equans’ retrofit evaluator will issue a questionnaire to residents to assess whether everything works as it’s supposed to, and Farhat’s team has already received feedback. He said: “Residents have told us they’re already feeling the difference in the temperature of their home. “It isn’t right that people have had to choose between eating and heating but getting such positive feedback really highlights the role that we’re playing in improving these homes.” Daniel Archard, asset sustainability manager at Clarion, added: “We’ve received more funding via wave two of the SHDF and are planning to increase our retrofitting tenfold over the next three years, as pressure builds to upgrade all social housing to an EPC rating of C or above by 2030.” Farhat concluded: “We’re looking forward to continuing our support during the delivery of the future pipeline of work within this area for Clarion Housing under SHDF Wave 2.1.”

Achieve better U-values whilst maintaining traditional cavity widths.Developer Mentmore Homes has built two five-bedroom houses in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, which are valued at £2.5million each. The walls required an insulation panel that achieved better U-values whilst maintaining traditional cavity widths. Eurowall +, manufactured by Recticel Insulation proved the ideal solution.Nicholas Peck from Mentmore Homes explained:"We wanted to make the properties as energy-efficient as possible. To make this happen, the best place to start is the insulation. Specifying Eurowall + meant we didn’t have to increase the size of the wall cavity and lose space inside the properties. The panel’s interlocking feature was another reason for its specification because it slots together so easily and will remain solid and airtight. We required a high quality product for this extremely high-profile project - Eurowall + didn’t disappoint."About Eurowall® +:Eurowall® + is a premium, high performance full fill insulation board with precision cut tongue and groove joints on all four sides. This ensures that the boards lock tightly together minimising heat loss through thermal bridging. This unique joint offers increased protection against wind driven rain as well as improved windtightness. Eurowall® + is also designed with a 10mm cavity requirement in mind, so that space can be left for conventional bricklaying techniques.

“We needed extremely detailed U-value calculations, and Knauf Insulation is one of the best at supplying these”, Paul Mann, Sales & Pre-Construction Director, TAC Projects.3,000m2 of Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is providing essential comfort and fire safety for vulnerable residents in a new development on a challenging site.Quantock House, Taunton is a new collection of 88 assisted living apartments set over nine storeys in a prime position at the heart of Somerset’s county town. It is the latest development from Platinum Skies, part of the Affordable Housing and Healthcare Group (AHH). Specialist contractor TAC Projects was tasked with the technical design and overall delivery of the façade.There were two essential considerations for the insulation specification. The first was that it had to be non-combustible, with a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. “We never use combustible materials on any residential façade, regardless of height” explained Paul Mann, Sales & Pre-Construction Director, TAC Projects. “This is especially important in developments with vulnerable residents.”The second was thermal performance. The façade had to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m2K, but with a complex design including acute angles between elevations and an undercroft car park, detailed calculations would be needed to support the specification. This was not just for best practice; to insure the building, the NHBC insisted on detailed supporting data for all products used in its construction.“The original specification from AAH’s architect was for Rock Mineral Wool. Our need for more robust U-value calculations, among other reasons, led us to choose Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab” said Paul. “That meant we were able to get 3D U-value calculations from its Technical Support team”.3D U-value calculations provide a much more detailed and accurate model of a building’s thermal performance. They give contractors, architects and third parties valuable reassurance that the interactions between different building elements have been properly considered, such that the calculations will more accurately reflect the energy efficiency of the building in the real world.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a non-combustible Rock Mineral Wool insulation that offers exceptional thermal and acoustic performance. It achieves Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, and is BBA certified for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market.It is designed to be easy to install correctly. Slabs are robust enough for easy manoeuvrability, but capable of flexing to adapt to imperfections in the substrate and to interlock when butted together. This is critical as it prevents the air gaps that can occur when using other, more rigid types of insulation; gaps which can compromise thermal, fire or acoustic performance.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally-friendly. Products made with ECOSE® Technology are soft to touch and easy to handle. They generate low levels of dust and VOCs, and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.In addition to the 3D U-value calculations, the project required an extra level of service and logistical support. With no storage space on site, and only room for one lorry at a time, deliveries had to be meticulously planned to keep the job running smoothly. Distributor CCF, who supplied the insulation, worked closely with TAC Projects to schedule deliveries in line with their plan of works.“Our business is all about trust” continued Paul. “AAH is trusted by its customers to provide safe and warm homes. We’re trusted by them to build non-combustible, energy-efficient façades. And in turn, we trust Knauf Insulation to give us the innovative products and service we need to do that.”Thanks to these trusted relationships, the residents at Quantock House will enjoy their new homes in warmth and comfort, with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are built using sustainable, non-combustible materials.

The increased levels of thermal insulation found within the roof voids of a modern house is intended to reduce the amount of heat that is lost from the warm living spaces of the property over time. However breaks in this insulation layer, such as through the loft access door, will severely compromise its effectiveness. This editorial explains how to avoid losing heat in the loft space and therefore losing money.

This multi award-winning museum has taken form with a copper clad envelope featuring high quality rainscreen insulation and pitched roof insulation.

ChallengeBREEAM ‘excellent’ was a key requirement for this project. As a European centre for bioenergy research, Aston University was keen to maintain the sustainable ethos of EBRI within the building itself and make improvements wherever they could be accommodated.SolutionKnauf Insulation worked closely with Associated Architects to specify the correct rainscreen insulation product to meet the necessary requirements.The insulation layer is a fundamental component of any successful rainscreen cladding system and rock mineral wool insulation delivers a number of advantages in this type of application. Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen HD Slab in a bespoke 120mm size was ideal for the project, delivering exceptional thermal, fire and acoustic performance.Insulation was specified with the help of Knauf Insulation’s regional specification manager Marc Lawson and Technical Advice and Support Centre (TASC). To successfully mitigate the differing dimensions of the constituent elements of glass channel, blockwork substrate and insulation, a smaller than standard slab size was specified, allowing for the edge of the slabs to align behind the joints in the glazed façade, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.The early involvement of the regional specification manager in the project and their relationship with the architects and client at the concept stage, made for a very smooth delivery and ensured the required U-value of 0.22W/m2K would be achieved without the need to re-design elements later in the project.Knauf Insulation’s Rock Mineral Wool products deliver exceptional environmental performance and are manufactured using the innovative ECOSE® Technology - a revolutionary, bio-based, formaldehyde free binder technology that is based on rapidly renewable materials, rather than petro- based chemicals. This was a key reason to the insulation being specified for this exceptionally sustainable project."Sustainability is at the very heart of all we do at Aston University. We are delighted with the results: an iconic building that conducts sustainable research in a truly sustainable environment." Alan Charters, Executive Director of Capital Development at Aston University