"hot water and oil filled radiators and fittings"

Part of the planning consent for Centerparcs included a roundabout and the creation of cycle bridleways. The aim to complete the work using a method sympathetic to the environment whilst avoiding damage to the tree roots. ABG Abweb TRP has a three dimensional cellular structure which when filled mitigates the vertical load pressure on the sub soils. The Abweb TRP cells act as a permanent form work to the road surface.In this no dig solution water and nutrients can flow into underlying soil allowing trees to flourish.

The ProblemWe were approached in 2020 by James Tough of Butco and his team to help develop a low surface temperature radiator that would survive the ‘kick test” for Dignus healthcare.After an initial meeting and various site visits to Dignus scheme, we recognised the problem they were having with their existing radiators and controls. They had damaged and dangerous casings, broken TRVs and endless replacements.Butco had exhausted the market trying to solve the problem posed by Dignus and found other manufacturers could not fulfil all the requirements of the customer.The remit posed was in brief:A robust cover to withstand the ‘kick test’To meet all of the regulations and achieve high outputsTo be compact and discreet. They didn’t want an institutional-looking coverNot to be cost prohibitedOur SolutionButco reached out to Towelrads, who supply LST’s and other radiator products to the UK market. Upon understanding of the requirements, we investigated the possibility of producing a more robust casing with our UK Fabricator Adcam, based in the West Midlands. Straightaway Adcam produced a sample of the LST casing utilising a 2mm thick steel sheeting, rather than the 1.5mm industry standard. This proved a viable option upon testing and was put forward to the client. On the back of this successful project for Dignus Healthcare, Towelrads now offer 2mm and even 2.5mm thick casings as bespoke options in their LST range.A sample was sent to Butco to test and was approved by the customer to cover all items above.The bespoke LST’s were manufactured to match a sample site in Crown Lane, Sutton Coldfield. These have been installed and to date, there have been no issues with the covers, radiators, or internal controls. We are working on other schemes with Dignus and have been able to offer this product to other clients.The process of testing the radiators and running them on a sample site has allowed Towelrads to promote these further. It was thanks to Butco’s enquiry that made this possible.

F. Ball’s high performance subfloor preparation and adhesive products have been used to renovate the floor of a 160m2 school hall at Christ Church CE Primary School in Kent. A combination of Stopgap 600 deep section base compound and Stopgap 200 Smooth acrylic floor smoothing underlayment was used over a Stopgap Waterproof Surface Membrane, firstly to build up the subfloor to the required thickness and then create a smooth, durable surface on which the final floorcovering could be laid. Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive was used to secure the vinyl Polyflor XL floorcovering to the finished subfloor...

The newly redeveloped Heatherwood Hospital employs a total of 4,200m² of Sudsgrid 40 cellular pavers, filled with free-draining angular aggregate to provide 450 new parking spaces, delineated by yellow markers. ABG’s sub-base design utilises the unique Abgrid geogrid to reduce the thickness of DoT Type 3 stone required for structural stability, and through the use of the ABG Terrex NW non-woven geotextile layer, an additional stage of treatment was provided for the infiltrating water.ABG’s permeable paving limits surface water run-off and minimises the risk of localised flooding, alongside, providing a shallower construction profile. Resulting in reductions in site excavation, off-site tipping, DoT Type 3 stone deliveries and the associated costs.

Project Type: Interior - NyloftYear: 2020Location: PolandContractor: House Loves, Karolina ZagrodzkaWood Species: Oak , PineProducts: Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C and Rubio Monocoat Universal Maintenance Oil

Project Type: Buddha-Bar RestaurantYear: 2019Location: Belgrado, SerbiaContractor: Magic Floor / ArhiproWood Species:European oakProducts:Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2CRubio Monocoat Universal Maintenance Oil

A new and vibrant housing development in Chelmsford, Essex recently specified a range of bespoke Skyline solutions where ‘inspirational architecture’ is a key element.Beaulieu Park is a charming new district set around New Hall School, which was originally King Henry VIII’s Tudor palace and estate parkland. The concept behind the development was to create a series of individually designed neighbourhoods, which connect to the wider landscape. “This was an exciting project to get involved with as it was an open specification. This also meant that it was important to get this project absolutely correct commercially,” says John Hemphill, Skyline Technical Sales Manager at Alumasc. “Our work at Beaulieu Park, in conjunction with our customer, involved designing and manufacturing a full and comprehensive range of bespoke Skyline aluminium products such as window pods, copings, canopies, fascia and architectural feature cladding and corner post details.”For this unique project, Skyline collaborated with our ‘Recommended Installer’ Specialised Fixings to deliver and design products that were tailored to each individual house type and plot.

Heritage Cast Iron Rainwater systems from Alumasc have been used at The Lancasters, one of London’s most exclusive and prestigious residential developments.Overlooking Hyde Park, The Lancasters was originally a parade of 15 magnificent stucco-fronted Grade II listed houses dating from the mid nineteenth century. More recently used as a hotel, it has now been restored and developed into 77 prestige homes. A leading team of developers, architects and interior designers has created a unique fusion of traditional architecture with brand new design and construction.Alumasc’s Heritage Cast Iron system was specified by the architects Nilsson, for its combination of traditional manufacture and modern quality control standards. The result is a highly robust rainwater solution that provides a visually sympathetic finish to fully complement the stunning Victorian architecture.The Heritage Cast Iron was installed by Premier Services Installations (PSI) Ltd and comprised traditional 4” downpipes and ogee gutters finished in a bespoke white, created especially for The Lancasters by Alumasc who created a dedicated paint line to ensure the order was completed on time.Dave Jones of PSI Ltd commented: “The Lancasters is the largest fascia construction project in Europe and boasts one of the longest and highest Victorian residential terraces in the UK. The sheer height of the building required eighteen 1.8m lengths of downpipe from ground level to the hopper heads.

As part of a major transformation of Wembley Park, which includes Olympic Way, Wade Stainless Steel Linear Channels and Streamline, and perforated gratings were installed beneath the Olympic Steps to provide an effective and long-lasting drainage solution.Built by developer Quintain in a joint project with Brent Council, the Olympic Steps come at the end of Olympic Way—the stretch of road linking Wembley underground station to Wembley Stadium. It was named Olympic Way after it was originally constructed for the 1948 London Olympics.The final stages of this redevelopment were the iconic steps that lead up to the national stadium. The original ramp, known as the pedway, was built as part of the old Wembley Stadium and acted as a bridge over the old coach parks. The Olympic Steps development replaced the outdated, concrete pedway and extended the Olympic Way, increasing the width by 50% and improving accessibility for all visitors in and around Wembley Park. Volker Fitzpatrick was the main contractor on the project.“Working closely with Mick Hawkins, the Site Manager, the aim of the project was to fulfil the client’s drainage requirements to tight deadlines,” says Brian Holden-Earl, Area Sales Manager. “The area is frequently used by visitors, so it was important to deliver our services within a specific timescale.”

Laboratory taps, laboratory water taps, laboratory gas taps……they all have handwheels and for the keen eyed amongst us those handwheels have coloured indices on them. …..but what do they mean?Dead simply they tell the laboratory tap user what service is being offered. This could range from anything from hot and cold potable water to the more funky special waters (Demineralised, deionised) and various gas services found in the laboratory; gases such as Argon, Helium, Nitrogen etc which is what would you expect in laboratory fume cupboards and reagent shelving.The colouring is governed by the DIN EN 13792 which covers laboratory taps, this standard is a worldwide initiative so whether you’re in Switzerland, Hong Kong or elsewhere it doesn’t matter the service from the laboratory tap will always reference the same service!

As part of a £44m project to build a major new police operational command centre, surfacing was required for the large parking area and access roads. The parking area would be used by more than 1,200 officers and support staff and a wide range of vehicles from police cars to heavy goods vehicles. Originally an AC 10 close graded surface course material had been specified. However, after early engagement with the surfacing and main contractor, it was clear that a more robust and durable solution was required that could withstand the high volumes of traffic using the site.Tarmac’s ULTIDRIVE asphalt was chosen as the solution. Designed to resist the long term effects of daily vehicle movement, ULTIDRIVE is a high performance asphalt with a smooth and highly durable finish. An advanced modified binder enhances the toughness of the surface, provides improved resistance to scuffing and abrasion from power-assisted turning and reduces softening in hot weather. It also gives enhanced resistance to temporary fuel and oil spills compared to conventional asphalt surfacing.

The Home Lift installed in this private house is an EcoVimec Home lift, which has been chosen to increase comfort and add value to the property. The owner chose EcoVimec home lift because it’s electric and environmentally friendly (it has reduced energy consumption and doesn’t use hydraulic oil).The EcoVimec Home lift has been designed to fit within a masonry shaft, offering a compact and space-saving solution to access multiple floors of the house. The cabin has been designed to be as discreet as possible, with a low profile and modern appearance that complements the property perfectly.

Project:Surespan manufactured a single leaf HLAC recessed access hatch to Queens Square in Crawley, part of a £3.2 million project. ProductSurespan manufactured an 80mm access hatch to fit a structural opening of 1000 x 3500 is operated by hydraulic cylinders and a hand pump. The operation will be by an electrically driven single power pack, including a push-button or key switch. Oil supply to the cylinders will be from a hydraulic mini-pack that can be remotely or locally sited. A retractable safety grid was also installed on three open sides, manually operated.

Marketing Rooms and Apartments for the Wood Wharf Development in Canary Wharf. However they wanted a more select floor which we were able to do by supplying 20% to 25% more than required to create a stunning near virtual Prime Black American Walnut floor at a fraction of the cost.A lot of other trades were also completing work at the site including the fit out of show apartments for the Wood Wharf Development. This meant that the floor had to be covered to protect the surface.The product was our E515 which is a 15mm thick oiled walnut.

We developed two engineered wood floors and advised on the subfloor build up and installation. The products chosen were initially designed by Goddard Littlefair and we worked with the designers to create two unique pallets. This is a new product and we do not have fitted pictures yet, but the images show one carton laid out.These boards were similar to some of our antique colours but the designers wanted a different hue. The TW E731 was based on our antique board but they wanted it light brushed with a matt UV oil finish rather than a lacquer.

In Autumn 2018, the heating system for a rural property in Hampshire was upgraded during which a Grant VortexAir air source heat pump/ oil boiler hybrid was installed. The installation of this innovative heating product now keeps the household warm, cleverly combining renewable energy with the trusted elements of an oil boiler.

This dwelling is located in a unique natural environment in the French Pyrenees (Gaillagos, France). When designing this family home, the main focus of the owners was to reduce their energy consumption without giving up to an elegant slate roof. That is why they decided to get THERMOSLATE installed: it is a completely invisible solar roof that gets repaid from day one. Only 4 collectors installed on a total surface of 5m2 were enough to cover more than 60% of their hot water needs (250 liters per day).

The conversion of a traditional barn within the conservation area surrounding Wells Cathedral, Somerset has benefitted from the installation of THERMOSLATE roof solar collectors. The new solar system will generate 57% of the occupants’ hot water requirements. Paul Kellet, the architect, said: “My client was keen to use a natural material for the roof of the property, whilst also making a sustainable contribution to meeting the family’s energy needs. The specification of THERMOSLATE and complementary CUPA R12 spanish slate allowed Paul to meet these requirements.

Following a successful park and ride facility in the west of the city and to reduce traffic further, an east park and ride facility comprising 1800 car parking spaces as part of a regeneration scheme. The park and ride design focused on sustainability and protecting local habitats. Due to restrictions on run off levels Cornwall council opted for Porous Paving. ABG Sudspave 40 permeable pavers were installed on free draining aggregate to enhance surface water drainage. Sudspave was supplied pre assembles for rapid installation. The panels can be filled with topsoil, gravel or seeded.

A major United States oil refinery has chosen Hempel’s Hempaline solvent free epoxy lining as an interior tank lining for a 200 foot / 61 metre tank diameter sour cured oil storage tank.Hempaline epoxies are 100% solid materials that can often be applied in a single coat and have rapid curing properties. This saves our customers time and money in application costs and completion times. Faster project completion allows them to return a unit to service quickly producing revenue.Hempaline epoxy was chosen for this application because of its ability to resist acid conditions of the tank’s cargo, high sulphur crude oil. Hempaline will provide long lasting protection to the tank, minimising future maintenance and repainting costs.Our Hempaline Defend 630 is a fast cure, highly chemical-resistant internal coating designed specifically for severe service environments, such as those found in the oil and gas industry.

Nestled at the heart of the University of Warwick campus, Scarman House is a 210-bed hotel accommodation and conference facility. This versatile establishment provides not only comfortable lodgings but also top-notch conference facilities, well-equipped meeting rooms, and enticing on-site dining options.In the summer of 2023, the hotel underwent a three-floor refurbishment project. Towelrads, in collaboration with the architect firm Baker Hicks, was instrumental in identifying optimal heating solutions for both Electric Towel Rails and Radiators. The client’s vision was to maintain a modern yet contemporary aesthetic in the individual rooms.We take pride in crafting a bespoke solution by designing, specifying, and supplying our Pisa Chrome Electrical Towel Rails for the bathrooms. These towel rails are equipped with Smart Thermostatic Elements, enabling occupants to have complete control over time and temperature settings, ensuring a comfortable stay.For the radiators, we selected a range of Vertical and Horizontal Windsor Column Radiators. This option added a touch of modernity blended with a hint of retro charm to the rooms, all while delivering exceptionally high heat outputs.Throughout this project, the collaborative partnership proved essential in navigating and meeting the challenging project timelines, ensuring its successful and timely completion.

Viega has supplied its cold applied Profipress and Sanpress Inox press connection systems to the latest refurbishment of the 17th century Queen’s House in Greenwich.Queen’s House, a Grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument, was originally built between 1616 and 1635 and is the last surviving section of the palace of Greenwich. Queen’s House is now part of the Royal Museums Greenwich and is home to a large collection of important paintings, drawings and sculptures. Over the last few years the 400-year-old building has undergone a program of vital maintenance.The scheduled ancient monument protection is granted to sites of national architectural importance and makes it a criminal offence to damage the monument in question. The importance of the building meant that during the maintenance work the materials and methods used had to be carefully considered. For example, no hot works of any kind were permitted on-site so traditional soldering or brazing of pipework was not an option.Mechanical and electrical maintenance specialist Red100 was selected to carry out the work as the latest in a number of contracts to work on the building. The renewal of the pipework systems included the heating and chilled water systems, for both of which the supply comes off a header pipe from a plant room located in another building. The contract also included work on the greywater system.As a result of the restrictions on hot works, press connection technology was the chosen methodology for the pipe installation. Viega’s Profipress system was selected for use on the copper heating and water pipework while the stainless steel greywater pipe was connected with Sanpress Inox fittings.Stephen Phillips, Director at Red100 said: “We were familiar with press connection technology, having employed it on a number of similar projects. We had been recommended the Viega systems and were impressed by what we saw when we visited Viega’s production facilities in Germany.”Paul Burkett, Technical Sales Manager at Viega commented: “After discussing the requirements with Stephen at Red100 we were confident that the Viega products fitted their needs exactly. Also the range of different press connection options offered by Viega meant that there were suitable products available as the scope of the work expanded.”Due to the historical significance and protected status of the building as well as the priceless nature of the artwork housed within the Queen’s House, the security of the connections was paramount. Any water leaking from incomplete or inadvertently unpressed joints had to be avoided due to damage it would cause. The SC-Contur feature designed into products from across the Viega range, including Profipress and Sanpress Inox, ensure that any missed connections are reliably identified during testing. This avoids expensive and potentially damaging failures once the project is complete.Stephen Phillips concluded: “We were delighted with the performance of the products. The installation on Queen’s House went very smoothly and as a result we have subsequently used the Viega systems on other projects."

Jesus Church had Selectaglaze secondary glazing installed by partner Fenestral, to raise the thermal efficiency of its thirteen lancet shaped stained glass windows in the north and south walls. The heating of the church is run on an antiquated oil-fired system which takes time to warm up the building. Once heated, a great deal of the energy was lost through the original windows. Special timber grounds were produced with enlarged gothic curved heads. By fitting the units nearer to the reveal, the primary windows are beautifully framed and the 13, Series 41 side hung casements have clearance to open.

This showroom is not your average showroom. As well as being a place to showcase their bathroom products, it’s also used as a meeting place for architects and designers alike to come together to share and exchange knowledge and insights. The Roca Gallery, London, also hosts exhibitions and events around a variety of topics including architecture, design, and sustainability.Roca is a bathroom manufacturer and supplier that originally started out selling cast iron radiators in 1917. The first Roca Gallery was opened in 2009 in Barcelona and is what they call their ‘commitment to society’ providing a ‘brand experience’ like no other. Other galleries around the world include Madrid, Lisbon, Shanghai and Beijing – with each one individually designed to suit the cultural and historic surroundings.The Roca London Gallery was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and is full of rich history and innovative culture throughout it’s 1100m2 floor space. A prominent theme of the design is the movement of water with ripples on the façade and a sculpted interior. There’s over 200 unique concrete panels and 1209 bespoke porcelain floor tiles which meant that our access panels also needed to be bespoke to compliment this design.Our concealed frame doors, Arriva & Innova were essential to the design, in order to create a smooth, undisturbed flow throughout the space. The doors also feature bespoke designs, such as curved cut-outs in the doors for the handle, mirroring the curved design that can be seen across the project. The Via access panels were also required to be bespoke, with some needing to be abstract shapes, while others had to fit with the curvature of the wall.

Total Traffic Exopave (TTE®) is a distinctively designed permeable paving system which combines strength with versatility. Made from recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the interlocking pavers can be filled with either grass or gravel providing a SuDs compliant solution. TTE® is a particularly suitable heavy duty paver for permanent and overspill coach or HGV parking applications. TTE® has both high compressive strength and high shear strength, enabling it to withstand much higher loading, accelerating, braking and turning forces than standard heavy duty pavers.Features and benefits:Withstand weight of up to 40 tonnes.Filled with either grass or gravel infill. SuDS compliant.Easy to install and maintain.Designed for HGV traffic.Reduced sub base depths required.High shear strength reduces limitations whilst accelerating, braking and turning.Textured surface for improved grip, and as a result improves user safety.Wheelchair regulations compliant.High water permeability.Alternative to concrete and tarmac surfaces.Sympathetic to the natural environment.

A Sealwall Tank manufactured by Whites Concrete has become part of Rampton Hospital’s new Energy Centre in Nottinghamshire, which is operated and maintained under a Carbon Energy Fund framework contract. Part of the new Energy Centre that provides heating, hot water and electricity to the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Hospital, Whites Concrete’s pre-cast concrete Sealwall Tank is a component of Rampton’s new effluent treatment plant—now a modern, automated system that meets both current environmental standards and future expansion of the site.

At the beginning of 2016, they started a major refurbishment of their head office. With around 700 employees, they were facing an issue how to meet the demand for hot and chilled filtered water across the three floors. A cause of staff frustration can be the inability to get a drink when they want it, and through the unique energy efficiency technology, the Billi Quadra range provides the solution. Following discussions and a site visit, based on the Billi recommendation, mothercare selected the very popular Quadra 460XL boiling and chilled system in chrome with matching drainage font.

Raybloc (X-ray Protection) Ltd is proud to present a case study highlighting our exceptional collaboration with Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.Our partnership involved the manufacturing and supply of top-of-the-line radiation shielding solutions that included Frameless Operator Screens, lacquered veneer finish lead-lined doorsets, PVC encapsulated lead-lined doorsets with astragal meeting stiles, and a window door combination set. As well as these fixings, Raybloc also supplied and installed the lead-lined boards for lining the walls and ceilings to create a complete radiation protective barrier between the controlled areas and their surroundings.These cutting-edge products have not only prioritised patient and staff safety but have also significantly contributed to optimising workflow efficiency and creating a healing environment.

Date of Project: August - September 2014Project Owner: Occidental PetroleumProject Contractor: Hugh Roberts ConstructionMarket/Environment: Oil ProductionSubstrate: Gunite from the 1960sProduct Used: Five Star Structural Concrete V/0®Project Size: 500+ PailsProject DetailsIn 1965, four artificial islands were built in San Pedro Bay off the coast of Long Island to conceal oil pumping stations. In the year 2000, Occidental Petroleum purchased the islands, known as THUMS Islands or Astronaut Islands, and operations. The islands contain significant landscaping, a waterfall, and tall structures concealing the drilling rigs, including one known as The Condo and often mistaken for "a ritz hotel" by those on land. Island Grissom is the closest to land and contains more sculptured screens than the other islands.The ChallengeOver the years, wind and water have taken their toll on the concrete structures around the island, causing a great deal of deterioration. A few obstacles to overcome were:The depth of repair (Tapcons were driven into the substrate for added reinforcement in the deeper areas of repair)Direct sun/heatHeight of repair was as high as 100 feetLimitations on water saturation for presoak and wet cure.Deliveries had to be scheduled precisely as all products had to be shuttled over to the island via ferry.Five Star® SolutionChosen for this demanding repair project was Five Star Structural Concrete® W/O because of its rapid-setting properties and ability to be used on vertical and overhead surfaces. Moisture-sensitive coatings could also be applied in 8 to 24 hours, speeding up repair time.This high-strength, permanent concrete repair material allowed the workers to make repairs quickly and efficiently, using only one product for thin and thick placement.

Furnitubes' designers were set the challenge of devising a 3-part seating arrangement for Mark Street Gardens in Hackney. The seating would fit between existing lines of granite setts and alongside retained planting. The benches combine galvanised steel plate ends and sub frame, which sit well within this urban environment, and oiled iroko hardwood slats. Armrests have been carefully positioned to allow maximum usage of the seating area but also to deter rough sleeping which has been an issue at the gardens in the past. We wish Hackney well in their upcoming Green Flag application for Mark Street Gardens.

The demand for an energy-efficient hot water distribution system was met by a single-pipe system with 850m of RAYCHEM HWAT-R self-regulating heating cables, managed by nine RAYCHEM HWAT-ECO smart controllers that interface seamlessly with the BMS. Eliminating the need for the secondary pipework of a conventional recirculation system saved space and achieved cost savings of between five and ten percent in material and installation time. Pipe freeze protection was also provided by RAYCHEM WinterGard self-regulating cables, supported by an AT-TS-13 surface-sensing electronic thermostat.

Goodluck Hope sits in an enviable position on the banks of the river Thames, directly opposite the 02 Arena. This flagship project from the Irish developer, Ballymore, is a prime example of stunning contemporary design with an industrial edge. Using a mix of blue and green façades, interiors feature bright, colour palettes interspersed with splashes of polished brass in both the kitchens and bathrooms.Towelrads have worked with the M&E subcontractor, Borough Engineering, on every phase of the waterside development and supplied Multicolumn radiators, along with chrome and white towel rails, to the private and shared units. This unique island development features an eclectic mix of contemporary buildings including suites, 1,2-, and 3-bedroom apartments, lofts and townhouses. With so many different plot types, most sizes throughout the project have been made to order with vertical and low-level radiators supplied, some up to 1.6m long.

Apex Heritage Cast Iron rainwater system from leading specialist Alumasc was commissioned as part of the £800 million extension and restoration of St Pancras International, London.The extension and interior of the station comprised all the modern facilities expected in Britain’s most advanced station, however, work on the oldest Grade 1 listed part of the station called for the faithful and painstaking restoration of the gothic red brick façade, to retain the original detail of George Gilbert Scott’s design.Existing rainwater systems, despite being almost 150 years old, were still in use. As part of the redevelopment project English Heritage insisted that any new rainwater details must faithfully reproduce the original patterns of the Victorian rainwater goods used when the station was first built. Alumasc worked closely with the main contractors to produce bespoke moulds, creating cast iron replicas of all the existing pipes and hoppers to take away rainwater from the vast single span roof, which is still the largest of its type in the world.

Harleyford Court is a residential building which sits within the London Borough of Lambeth’s Vauxhall Conservation Area. Clement worked closely with Lambeth Planning Authority to agree precise details on the replica replacement steel windows for this red brick building. Clement’s bespoke EB16 steel window range was chosen to replace the existing single glazed fenestration. Despite being fitted with slim 16mm glass units, they benefit from being krypton filled and Part L compliant, offering improved thermal efficiency over that of the original windows.

ProjectSurespan manufactured and supplied a double-glazed access hatch for use on a private residential apartment in downtown San Francisco. ProductThe 915 (36”) x 4115 (162”) hatch was electrically operated for easy operation and allowed easy access to the roof deck for Al Fresco dining in the Californian sun. “The glass hatch is one of the best features of the house.” Glazed hatches feature a frameless design eliminating water ponding. The 28.4mm sealed glazed unit comprised of Pilkington Insulight™ Therm, 6mm Optifloat™ Clear ‘T’ (toughened), 16mm Argon filled cavity, 6.4mm Pilkington Optilam™ ‘K’ Glass Laminated glass.

Four years ago, sustainable developer Citu set out to create homes 10 times more energy efficient than typical UK houses. To do this, the company invested in a state-of-the-art production facility where all the components for its properties are built offsite.Thermal performance is critical to energy efficiency. Citu wanted to go far beyond the regulations to achieve wall build-ups with an extremely low U-value of just 0.10W/m2K. This is at least three times better than the U-value achieved in most new build homes and fifteen times better than older houses.Adding offsite capabilityCitu turned to Knauf Insulation for advice and support in developing the offsite capability required for this level of thermal performance. Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook extensive calculations and recommended the Blowing Plate Insulation System to install Supafil® Frame – a high performance, non-combustible blowing wool.Supafil® Blowing Wool lends itself to offsite production because it completely fills the cavity, without any voids even around complex penetrations – something that can occur when insulation slabs or rolls are cut to size. It is also a dry process, so operatives are not exposed to any harmful chemicals and it doesn’t require a dedicated production line.Instead, the system comprises a blowing machine and a filling plate. The system is modular allowing for phased investment. Citu opted to install the blowing machine in phase one, which allowed them to manually fill the panels. Phase two saw the addition of the blowing plate, semi-automating the process.Supafil® Frame can be run by a single operator, fits easily into the existing production line, and can even be moved quickly and swiftly to other areas in the manufacturing facility depending on Citu’s volume capacity requirements.Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team provided full training and support during each phase of installation.Insulating the panelsCitu homes are manufactured from wooden panels with a 300mm cavity. The blowing plate is positioned over the panel completely covering the cavity. Supafil® is then blown into the wooden frame to the specific parameters of each panel. All cavities are filled to the correct thickness; something that has been carefully calculated and tested by the Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team to ensure settlement does not occur. And because the machine is programmed to install the exact quantity of insulation required, there’s no waste.Supafil® is a high performance Blowing Wool. It is non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification as well as providing excellent thermal and acoustic performance. It contains a silicone-based additive to ensure it is water repellent.As well as providing excellent thermal performance, Supafil® has great sustainability credentials. Knauf Insulation’s Glass Mineral Wool contains up to 80% of recycled content. This reduces the amount of virgin materials used and prevents around 60,000 tonnes of glass a year (350 million bottles) from going to landfill or polluting the environment. Knauf Insulation has also invested in advanced compression packaging. This means there’s less packaging used, so fewer lorries on the roads leading to a reduction in transport carbon emissions. All of which helps to support Citu’s goal that every home should be carbon zero to manufacture.By combining modern methods of construction with the very highest levels of thermal performance, Citu and Knauf Insulation are creating homes that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions – homes that are fit for the future.