"roof finish underlays and insulation"

Building performance is crucial if the UK is to meet its ambitious net zero targets. But there’s a big challenge ahead. There are 29 million homes in the UK and buildings generate one third of the UK’s CO2 emissions, 50% of which relate to heating.To address this, the government has announced a clear regulatory roadmap introducing ever-stricter thermal performance requirements.But there’s a bigger issue that tougher thermal performance measures alone will not address. Industry research suggests 27 million homes are not delivering the performance stated on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). That’s because EPCs require no physical measurement on site, assumptions are made based on answers to questions such as whether a property has insulation or a condensing boiler. It does not account for any of the variables that influence actual performance, such as build and install quality or location. This means homes are less energy-efficient, use more carbon and are more expensive to run than their EPC suggests. As a result, the Government’s EPC Action Plan will see EPCs shift from being a notional tick-box exercise to a genuine, evidence-based record of a building’s actual performance.That leaves the construction industry with a problem. How will it ensure buildings actually perform as designed?A genuine, evidence-based recordThe only way to address the issue is to measure real energy performance, but this has been difficult and costly – until now. Knauf Insulation and Knauf Energy Solutions have undertaken two pilot projects which have combined accurate measurement and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with a quality-controlled retrofit of Mineral Wool insulation to deliver impressive results.The solutionThe two companies have invested in six years of research and development. The result is ground-breaking sensor technology that accurately measures the real energy performance of a home, which is used alongside quality-assured installation of retrofit measures to create buildings that perform as intended.Until now real performance could only be measured via expensive, lengthy, and invasive co-heating tests. By contrast, Knauf Energy Solutions sensors can be fitted unobtrusively to occupied buildings, making the technology discreet, scalable, and cost-efficient.Over 12 weeks, the sensors capture an accurate picture of the building’s performance using machine learning to combine energy meter readings with humidity, temperature, CO2 levels, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and weather data. It then calculates the heat lost through the building roof, walls, and floors to create an accurate picture of each home’s thermal performance. It essentially gives an ‘mpg’ for a home or building.The sensors can be used to ensure new buildings are performing as designed and specified. Or they can inform ‘smart retrofits’ that improve existing buildings’ energy performance and track the subsequent energy bill savings.Retrofits that deliver resultsKnauf Insulation and Knauf Energy Solutions have undertaken the UK’s largest ever real performance retrofit project, to upgrade the thermal performance of 28 homes on a 1970s social housing estate run by Great Places Housing Group in Trafford, Manchester. Early investigation showed the existing insulation had been incorrectly installed and had degraded. Adding to the complexity, the homes also contained unusual build features, such as a stagger between terraces meaning one wall acted as both a party and external wall, each with different thermal characteristics. The companies built a full-scale mock-up of the junction to develop clear protocols for the removal of existing insulation and installation of Knauf Insulation Mineral Wool products. This innovation has enabled the successful installation of Supafil® Party Wall in a staggered party wall – a world first which can be replicated in tens of thousands of other ‘hard to treat’ properties with similar staggers across the country.The second project took place in Eccles, Salford, where the 12 houses had been built to Part L1A in 2014.Sensors were used to benchmark the thermal performance of the properties before commencing quality-controlled refurbishment programmes on both estates, using Knauf Insulation products including Supafil® 34, Supafil® Party Wall, Loft Roll 40 and Rocksilk® RS100.The retrofits were ‘cost-optimal’ delivering results usually targeted by whole-house retrofits with only fabric improvements. To achieve this, the standard of installation was key. Contractors were chosen and managed for quality, and included approved Supafil® contractors, who are certified and actively monitored by Knauf Insulation. Supafil® 34 was injected directly into the cavity using a calibrated blowing machine, ensuring each cavity was fully filled so the specified thermal performance could be achieved. Loft installations were carefully designed and installed so the Loft Roll 40 met up with the Supafil® to provide continuity of insulation and minimise thermal bridging.The two pilot projects delivered impressive results.Trafford31% average fabric efficiency improvement per homeOne home experienced a 51% improvement£411 average annual bill reduction for residentsAverage space heat demand: 65.57 kWh/m2yearAverage CO2g/m2/year: 14.23Eccles17% average fabric efficiency improvement per home28% improvement in one semi-detached homeMoist air leakage risks corrected, preventing sustained structural deteriorationAverage space heat demand: 32.79 kWh/m2yearAverage CO2g/m2/year: 6.78The need for a fabric first approachAccurate measurement alone will not create net zero homes – despite the improvements, all 28 homes in Trafford retained EPC ratings of grade D or E. Similarly in Eccles, the EPC ratings remained mostly static. The refurbishments simply brought their real-world performance in line with the theoretical EPC performance.But the project does show that Knauf Insulation and Knauf Energy Solutions have developed a viable solution for measuring real performance that can be used to underpin net-zero housebuilding and retrofitting by taking a fabric first approach.Bringing benefits to the whole supply chainBefore the refurbishment, residents on the Trafford estate regularly complained their homes were cold and expensive to heat, despite being insulated. In fact, a survey by energy supplier E.ON found this is common, with 49% of landlords saying they didn’t know how to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. This new technology not only gives landlords that information, but by making real-world measurement viable at scale for the first time, it brings benefits to the whole supply chain:Housebuilders can ensure quality control and compliance with the ‘fuel and energy performance’ aspects of the New Homes Ombudsman scheme.Builders and developers can measure thermal performance with certainty and demonstrate they’re delivering for their clients.Tenants and purchasers will enjoy better thermal performance, lower energy bills and a more comfortable living environment, and they can also assess the operating costs of prospective homes.The government, councils, housing associations and landlords can verify the return on investment on refurbishments.Ultimately if we are to achieve net-zero, we must first accurately measure building performance. By combining the use of sensor technology with a quality-controlled insulation installation or retrofit, we can close the performance gap of every building – new and existing. The building fabric component of an EPC will be based on real evidence and homeowners and tenants can save money with lower energy bills.Low carbon insulation for low carbon homesKnauf Insulation undertakes Life Cycle Assessments to evaluate the embodied carbon of its products. Its products can be considered low in embodied carbon, with transparent evidence available in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across its ranges.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 the introduction of ECOSE® Technology, its unique bio-based binder, which is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, as well as initiatives to reduce road miles in both sourcing and distribution. Its Glass Mineral Wool products are manufactured using up to 80% recycled glass collected from the local communities around its factories, and the finished products are compressed by up to 10:1 to fit more product into each lorry reducing transport emissions.“From day one, Knauf Insulation brought a level of quality control we haven’t previouslyexperienced in other projects. The measurement service is the first time wehave been offered any certainty that our homes have actually been improved.”Sarah McClelland, Environmental Manager, Great Places

A roof at teh Jaguar Land Rover premises in Watford was in poor condition and suffering from cut edge corrosion. All of the loose and flaking factory finish was removed using 4000psi pressure washers and the rusted end and mid-laps were ground back to remove the rust. The cut edge corrosion was treated with Liquasil's corrosion primer and the entire roof was coated using the BBA Approved Metalseal.

Gulson Road is a new state of the art student accommodation block in the heart of Coventry’s university district. With 462 rooms, shared study areas, a common room, gym and staff management suite all set over eight storeys, fire safety was of the utmost importance.With this in mind, the architect, Stride Treglown, specified that Rock Mineral Wool should be used to insulate the rainscreen façade to comply with building regulations, which ban the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m tall.Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook 3D U-value calculations on behalf of main contractors Robertson Construction and recommended 150mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m2K.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification rating, so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is BBA certified for use in high rise buildings and the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market.As well as exceptional thermal performance and fire safety, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab provides high levels of sound absorption.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is easy to install correctly. The slabs interlock and adapt to minor imperfections in the substrate eliminating air leakage, which can reduce thermal and acoustic performance. It is also robust and durable with a water repellent additive to preserve its integrity while exposed during construction.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 generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded the Eurofins (Gold) certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Thanks to the enhanced thermal and acoustic performance from Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, students at Gulson Road will enjoy warm, quiet, safe and sustainable flats to study, socialise and sleep in.

Silverlakes eco village in Dorset is a new build venture where the client wanted to achieve maximum sustainability.The houses, boat houses, garages and also communal areas such as the leisure centre required green roofs and M-Tray® was chosen due to its ease of transport and installation, and its square modular nature. Pre-grown, healthy sedum plants inside the plastic trays were laid onto the flat roofs across the village, providing an attractive dressing and improving storm water attenuation, thermal insulation and a magnet for wildlife.

The Oak Cancer Centre at The Royal Marsden’s Sutton site is a state-of-the-art research and treatment facility, designed to bring the hospital’s 400-strong research team and its clinical care facility together under one roof. Specialist brickwork contractors, Lesterose Builders, were appointed by main contractor ISG to design and build the 2,800m2 masonry façade. As a result, they were responsible for ensuring the façade complied with the relevant thermal and fire safety regulations. The time and cost challenge The architect’s specification named a rock mineral wool product, but when Sam O’Keefe, Commercial Manager at Lesterose Builders, tried to place the order, there were two problems. He explained: “The first issue was availability – there was an eight to ten week lead time due to materials shortages. And the second issue was cost. We discovered the original insulation manufacturer had two planned price increases, and the extended lead time and phased delivery schedule meant that the Oak Cancer Centre project would be hit by both.” These two issues would not only delay the build, but would push it significantly over budget. So Lesterose Builders needed another insulation solution. Meeting the specification Lesterose Builders turned to Knauf Insulation, a fellow member of the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC). Knauf Insulation’s sales team looked at the specification and was able to offer an equivalent – 200mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab.  Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is a rock mineral wool insulation product with a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK, which meant it would meet the U-value of 0.21W/m2K. It is also non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, which means it will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified for masonry façades at any height as well as for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. This meant Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was suitable for use in the Oak Cancer Centre because it complies with building regulations that ban the use of combustible materials in the walls of relevant buildings over 18m tall. In addition to fire safety and thermal performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offers excellent sound reduction characteristics. Crucially, Knauf Insulation was able to meet both the schedule and cost parameters for the project. “Once we had confirmation that Knauf Insulation could match the specification and deliver to the planned timescales and budget, it was then a case of getting the architect’s approval. This went extremely smoothly. We just made a technical submittal with the datasheets and environmental product declaration (EPD) and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was approved for use without any queries.” Ease of installation The seven-full loads of insulation were purchased through Parker Building Supplies. These were delivered to the site in eight phases in line with the schedule of works. The product is designed to be easy to install correctly. Superior robustness and durability mean it can be manoeuvred easily into place. And unlike some competitor products, it can be installed with either face of the slab against the substrate, speeding up installation and preventing incorrect installation. Furthermore, the natural flexibility of rock mineral wool means it adapts to minor imperfections in the substrate, while slabs knit together when tightly butted, eliminating air leakage that could reduce thermal and 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 generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification. Construction work is known for its challenges, particularly around budgets and schedules – but thanks to Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, Lesterose Builders was able to overcome both these issues and meet the required specification factors for the Oak Cancer Centre. 

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. 

Stow House is a boutique bed and breakfast set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. They had the Topseal waterproofing roofing system installed and a sedum roof to finish the new extension.

baseTherm® PROJECT Contact your local team baseTherm® for these amazing floor insulation results:📞+353 (0) 87 333 0683📞+353 (0) 87 223 2456📩 sales@basetherm.com📲basetherm.comClick here to view more finished jobs on our GALLERY:https://lnkd.in/e9zh-nwxbaseTherm® is an NSAI Agrément certified BEPS liquid floor insulation, complete with its own EPD.It's produced and installed on-site by our local team using our Mobile Floor Insulation Factory - without waste or fuss.💡baseTherm® KEY BENEFITS:👉 Seamless, void-free poured floor insulation👉 Factory-produced on-site, without waste - using our Mobile Floor Insulation Factory👉 Rapid pumped installation👉 Non-combustible👉 Ultra-lightweight with acoustic benefits👉 Highly insulating, from 0.041 W/mK👉 National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Agrément certified👉 EPD Certified – available to download on Irish Green Building Council's platform EPD Ireland👉 Available for spec on NBS Source and as BIM Digital Objects

Knauf Insulation has been appointed as Bellway Homes’ insulation partner for an innovative project to measure the impact of low and zero carbon (LZC) technologies on energy consumption. Bellway’s experimental house ‘The Future Home’ has been constructed within Energy House 2.0, a controlled environmental chamber located at The University of Salford. Energy House 2.0 is the largest research facility of its type, with two chambers able to accommodate two detached houses each. The controlled environment can recreate a wide variety of weather conditions, with temperatures ranging from -20˚C to +40˚C, as well as simulated wind, rain, snow, and solar radiation. This allows housebuilders to monitor the performance of different builds and LZC technologies through year-round conditions, in just a matter of weeks, aiding the transition to net zero design. We spoke to Jamie Bursnell, Technical and Innovation Manager for Bellway Homes, about the aims of their forward-thinking project: “We want to identify the sweet spot where fabric is optimised alongside space heating and energy-efficient services, like solar photovoltaics and battery storage. Finding the best combination of these elements will allow us to design homes that are energy efficient and economically sustainable, both for developers and homeowners.” The Future Home Bellway’s ‘Future Home’ is a three-bedroom timber frame house, built to the current Part L 2021 (England) standard. A specification upgrade is scheduled to take place mid-way through the trial, increasing the build’s energy efficiency to an indicative 2025 Future Homes Standard. “Ultimately, our aim is to optimise the U-values of the home” Jamie explained, “but that needs to be based on real, in-use data, not just notional designs. With the home up and running, we’re now measuring its in-use energy performance against our design. After the mid-trial upgrade, we’ll measure again to see the impact on the build’s overall energy efficiency.”  Bellway is using sensors within the home to monitor its performance under a range of environmental conditions. To do this effectively, Bellway needed a reliable, high-performing fabric, capable of meeting both current and future building standards. Optimal results They turned to Knauf Insulation, who provided product advice, design input and U-value calculations to determine the best insulation for the job. For the initial build, Loft Roll 44 glass mineral wool insulation has been installed in the loft. FrameTherm® Roll 35 has also been installed to meet U-values of 0.18 W/m2K in the external walls. During the mid-way trial, upgrades will be made to the insulation, to reduce the external wall U-value and help reduce air movement within the cavity, which can negatively affect thermal performance.  Jamie noted, “Knauf Insulation has provided technical assistance to a very high standard and their U-value and Psi-value calculations are always reliable. We chose products from their Loft Roll and FrameTherm® ranges because they combine quality performance with cost-efficiency, both of which are essential to the success of our project.” Energy House 2.0 and The Future Home allow us to see how LZC technologies could be most effectively implemented in future years. But the insulation requirement will remain unchanged; reliable thermal performance will continue to be an essential component of any energy-saving home and it’s already available today, with the right specification. Learn more about Part L and the housebuilding sector, at our Housebuilders Hub

The National College for High Speed Rail contains a variety of learning spaces inside a visually striking yet simple building shell formed from two intersecting blocks. The main entrance is defined by a simple yet striking cantilevered upper floor, providing a sheltered space in front of the building. To insulate this, Kingspan Kooltherm K110 Soffit Board was used. The boards were fixed directly to the soffits using thermally broken fasteners, making installation quick and simple. Kingspan Kooltherm K110 Soffit Board is a premium performance insulation board. It achieves a thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/m·K across all thicknesses.

Bellway had a prime location, just four miles from Canary Wharf and eight miles from central London, with 300 metres of river frontage and panoramic city views, in which to build an attractive new housing complex.Due to its prestigious postcode, the new homes needed to be of the highest quality in terms of construction and elegant in appearance to appeal to the target clientele.Following extensive planning, K Systems brought Bellway’s vision to life and created a beautiful collection of new one, two, and three-bedroom waterside homes on the banks of the River Thames.Each home in the River Gardens development boasts outstanding thermal performance incorporating a façade with an A2 fire resistance rating and a high-quality finish with superb durability and resistance to the elements.Our ServiceThe River Gardens project took place during a global pandemic when the construction industry was significantly impacted in terms of workforce and availability and costs of materials. Despite all these external factors we delivered a stunning, successful project, within budget, without delay or compromise on quality, that not only met but exceeded the requirements and expectations of the client, Bellway Homes.We worked in close partnership with Jessella Ltd (the installer) throughout the duration of the project. As part of our service commitment, our technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance, offer support, technical guidance and ensure high levels of quality.Jessella Ltd Project Manager, Pavel Mihaylov explains:“River Gardens was one of the most challenging but rewarding projects I have worked on. It was a very complex project with a strict scaffold strike programme and being dependent on weather and many other trades. That made it very difficult to achieve completed areas on time. Thanks to working closely with Jason and Patrick from K Systems and their regular site visits and guidance over the phone, we managed to achieve the required completion dates, safely and with an excellent quality finish.”Technical Project DetailsAfter extensive planning and a comprehensive scoping process with the client and all involved third parties, we specified the K Systems Exicco M, drained cavity façade system with mineral wool insulation. This high performing system is suitable for steel and timber framed buildings and is highly compatible with high rise projects like River Gardens.Fire safety with high rise buildings is of utmost importance and the K Systems Exicco M system generates exceptional performance and provides high levels of fire resistance and noncombustibility (A2 rating).K Systems specified River Gardens with a façade system with an A2-s1,d0 fire rating. The system specified was made up of a combination of A1 fire classification substrate (sheathing board), a Tenmat 120-minute cavity barrier, an A1 non-combustible, dual-density stone mineral wool insulation slab, and a galvanised steel rail. The latest building regulations were complied with ensuring the safety of the future residents.Mineral wool has superb acoustic qualities, another reason it was specified for this project. Its inclusion in the build meant that noise from the wind and traffic travelling up and down the River Thames would be significantly reduced, ensuring a quieter residential option for target clientele who wish to avoid an audible disruption yet still live within the hustle and bustle of city life.For the finish, high-performance 1.5mm thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Our Silicone TC render is renowned for its ease of use on application, variety of texture and colour, and its high-performance properties. Each waterside home in River Gardens was finished in a variety of shades complimentary to the development’s surroundings.Aesthetically the development had a clean, crisp attractive finish with an impressive thermal performance and a protective exterior. The hydrophobic qualities of Silicone TC ensure a low maintenance finish, ensuring it will remain aesthetically pleasing for years to come.

The brand-new Skills and Innovation Centre at South Staffordshire College takes pride of place on the college’s town centre site. The architects envisaged a facade of long vertical fins giving the appearance of timber. Maple supplied the extensive vertical fin façade and Powdertech Wood Finish (PWF ™) was selected as the most appropriate powder coating. Wood Finish is formulated to match the natural variations in colour, grain density and grain pattern of wood. Importantly, Wood Finish meets fire reaction classification A2-s1, d0. We coated 4000 metres of aluminium, comprising mainly rectangular sections of extruded aluminium, of sizes 200mm and 100mm x 50mm. The stunning facade combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of a wood finish.Powder coating satisfies green credentials as it contains no solvents, no VOCs and produces no hazardous waste. Maintenance is simple – just a wash down with water every 6-12 months.

This 4,000 square metre roof in Lichfield, completed by Projects UK Ltd, was in need of refurbishment and Liquasil's BBA Approved Metalseal 20 was specified for its 20 year guarantee against manufacturing defects. The roof was cleaned and the cut-edges were treated with our unique SWT corrosion primer before a single coat of Metalseal 20 was spray-applied to the roof to provide a protective and decorative finish leaving the roof sheets looking like new.To get in touch, call our team of Building Surveyors on 0121 709 5352.

The project design included a car park solar shading system from Contrasol Ltd. The extruded aluminium profiles form feature solar shading ‘fins’ running vertically on the exterior of the multi-story car park, with galvanized steel plates behind the fins at each floor level to screen car headlights. By using Powdertech’s PWF 020 Wood Finish on the metal the large building could be brought into harmony with its environment, being less visible in the landscape. Unlike wood, PWF will not deteriorate or warp. It is also a benefit for the installer to be working with a homogenous material with good dimensional stability. The colour and gloss retention for Wood Finish is excellent and it will remain looking good for over 25 years with minimal maintenance required. The project in numbers: 9000 metres of 200 x 50mm extruded aluminium profiles 530 pre-galvanized plates, 1m x 1.5 m 7700 fixing brackets 5780 end caps

BackgroundThe new multi-million euro Buncrana Primary Care Centre development was an exceptional project to be involved with. This high-profile project was funded by the HSE, with the aim of bringing many healthcare services together in one new state-of-the-art centre. Construction was led by local company McCallion Group and the 56,500sq ft. facility, which is spread across three storeys, boasts underground car parking which can house 126 staff. The centre is an excellent asset to the local community, ensuring the vital health services people need to avail of on a regular basis are available in one central location. For the client, the key requirement was to build a modern, aesthetically pleasing, energy efficient facility that achieved a target U-value of 0.15W/m ² K. After extensive planning, focusing on matching an appropriate insulation system with a complementary finish, K Systems provided a full technical specification and a comprehensive delivery plan.Our ServiceOur dedicated team of technical specialists were on hand to fully support throughout the duration of this project, ensuring the highest levels of construction were achieved. The K Systems Technical Manager, Gerry McErlean regularly visited the project to inspect progress and offer hands-on-guidance and technical support. Local installer GD Plastering worked very closely with Gerry to ensure a high standard of work was achieved and great attention to detail is evident throughout this project. Due to the size and scale of the Care Centre, Gerry recommended that the TC render finish was spray applied to ensure a consistent finish and aid the speed of application. GD Plastering took this advice on board and invested in a spray machine, resulting in a uniform finish, faster completion and reduced labour.Technical Project Details After numerous design meetings taking into consideration client requirements, budget and timeframes, the K Systems E EWI system was specified. This high-performance, light-weight and cost effective system based on expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulating panels offers a great fire rating of B-s1,d0 and is available in a range of finishes. The mixed substrate of reinforced concrete and lightweight block had alignment issues. We specified the use of multiple thicknesses of insulation boards, that were fixed adhesively and mechanically to overcome these alignment issues. Our specification included bespoke technical detailing, such as compression joint detailing on every floor and our site inspection teams were on-site when required to offer a range of support and guidance. For the finish, thin coat silicone render (Silicone TC) was specified. Providing a variety of benefits, K Systems thin coat render offers silicone and polymer-modified technology to provide long term weather protection, alongside excellent breathability and water repellency properties. With the unpredictable Irish weather, this durable finish will withstand the elements and offers an eye catching, clean design, creating a modern and crisp aesthetic. Available in a wide range of colours, K Systems silicone render is the most flexible on the market, making cracking over its lifetime less likely. Its ease of application made it an ideal choice for a project of this scale and size and its hydrophobic properties provide a low-maintenance finish for years to come. We delivered a long-lasting, safe, eye-catching design for the Buncrana Primary Care Centre that brings exceptional thermal comfort to the property. The target U-value was achieved, allowing energy savings and reduced costs for the client throughout the lifetime of the Centre.

This 6,500m² metal roof at Axcess 10 Business Park, Walsall was soiled, delaminating and affected by spot corrosion in numerous areas, which would have eventually spread and perforated the sheets if a treatment was not applied.Bosworth Cladding Services Ltd ensured that the roof was cleaned and the peeling factory finish was removed with a 4000 psi pressure washer. The laps were ground back and primed as necessary.The whole roof area was then coated with Liquasil's single-coat BBA Certified Metalseal 20 system to provide a 20 year product guarantee upon completion.The completed installation left a metal roof on its way to failure looking brand new, with a protective silicone coating that will last 20 years.For more information, or to make an enquiry, contact Liquasil on 0121 709 5352.

Project:Architects Foster + Partners approached Surespan to design and manufacture two roof hatches for Circle Hospital Bath – the new centre of clinical excellence due to open in late 2009. Product:The huge single-leaf glazed roof hatches are electrically operated by push button switches, one hatch incorporating a side door. The high spec glazed lid is supported by heavy-duty aluminium hinges and features an integral ‘wrap over’ edge, incorporating double unbroken EPDM seals. The hatches offer a high level of thermal insulation against heat loss and condensation, together with excellent sound absorption properties.

Product: FastCoat ProProject: Honeywell Multi-RoofProject Size: 6000m² in: Approx. 3 months

Four residential blocks on Albert Road, North London, have recently undergone renovation, including removal of wooden screen shutters across the frontage of each apartment. The sliding shutters create an attractive appearance as well as performing shade from direct sunlight, but over recent years the wood has warped and deteriorated. Warping meant that the screens no longer travelled smoothly across the windows, and deterioration was causing the louvres to loosen with the danger that they might fall on people walking below. A refurbishment would also provide the opportunity to refit with materials conforming to current fire safety regulations. Considering the refurbishment, the developers were keen to retain the screens and felt that the appearance of wood was appealing, giving the apartments something of a continental appeal, albeit in north London. The blocks were developed and are managed by L&Q, a housing association that aims to deliver high quality affordable homes, and in their own words ‘better places to live’. The screens could easily be replaced using aluminium for the frame aerofoil blades and the look of wood could just as easily be delivered by using a shade from our Wood Finish (PWF™) range. PWF30, a dark shade, was closest to the original wood. In total Powdertech pre-treated and coated 9500 linear metres of extruded aluminium, each individual foil being 1.22m in length. Using aluminium brings the obvious benefits of strength combined with lightweight. The screens will not warp and need only minimal maintenance. Our Wood Finish conforms to the required reaction to fire specification for residential buildings of this type, A2-s1, d0, and the metal itself is non-combustible thus solving a number of issues in one, Wood Finish on aluminium is a winning combination.

Despite the challenges posed by completing construction and opening during the first lockdown, the new Skelton Lake Motorway Services project opened in March 2020 as planned, providing essential services to hauliers and key workers travelling during the start of the pandemic. The project incorporates an extensive green roof build-up to minimise the visual and physical impacts of the development on the surrounding country park and to enhance the biodiversity of the project.The wildflower green roof design provides multiple environmental benefits; including provision of a new habitat for local insect and bird life, helping to lower the site’s carbon emissions by absorbing heat emitted from the building into the cooler roof surface - reducing the air conditioning demand in the summer months. The green roof build-up also provides a level of insulation against heat loss in winter. 

The existing factory finish to this metal roof was degraded and failing in multiple places. The roof was cleaned and all existing GRP roof lights were replaced. Cut edge corrosion & spot rust was treated using Liquasil corrosion primer. An initial coat of Metalseal 20 was roller applied to all corrosion treated areas, followed by a single coat of Metalseal 20, spray applied to the entire roof area. The end result looks like a new roof and will easily provide 20 years protective, water resistant finish to this once poor roof.

Museum of London - Visionary RoofSynopsisThe Museum of London opened in 1976 on the historic London Wall and is a few minutes’ walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. A visionary approach to roofing had been adopted on a building that, will not only green as much of the exposed roofs as possible, but also provide a strong research aspect for future green roof projects. As with many buildings, the original roofs needed to be upgraded or replaced, at the same time as being brought up to date using environmental and sustainable solutions.Through the recommendation of waterproofing and green roof manufacturer Bauder Ltd, the Museum invited Dusty Gedge, one of the UK’s leading independent green roof consultants, to work directly with them to design 3500m² of varying habitats that encompassed the museum’s sustainable vision. and help in the provision of environments that would attract a range of wildlife, as well as being able to help the city adapt to climate change.Bauder Building BoardProject:Visionary roof, Muesum of LondonLocation:LondonProject type:RefurbishmentRoof size:9512m²Specifier:Museum of LondonRoofing contractor:Russell Trew LtdThe specificationAn independent consultant had previously carried out an energy model on the Museum of London buildings. When the museum inputted the green roof specification, it showed a potential energy saving of 10% per year, as well as a reduction on the future replacement costs of the heating and cooling plant. Some of the green roofs were funded through Drain London, a partnership project led by the Greater London Authority and funded by Defra. The project aims to better understand surface water flood risk across London, with a view to promote interventions (such as green roofs) to reduce surface water flooding. The museum has used the Bauder green roof system and worked closely with Dan Costen of Bauder and the roofing contractor Russell Trew Ltd, to deliver the various green roof spaces.These include:The refurbishment of the lower garden in the central courtyard with hard landscapingThe installation of Bauder’s new wildflower blanket to the upper garden in the central courtyard (funded through Drain London)Plug planting the roofs of the recently completed garden and terrace rooms that provide high quality corporate hire (matching the colour scheme chosen for the rotunda garden refurbishment and integrated with the new rainwater harvesting system funded by Renaissance London)An integrated sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS)Plug planting in other individual small roof areas including outside the boardroom and committee roomsTwo different planting schemes on an area of the main museum roof where the Drain London Project aims to carry out water attenuation researchThe resultRetrofitting green roofs will help to realise the Mayor of London’s ambition, to increase green cover in central London by 5% by 2030. The Museum of London is one of the largest retrofit green roof projects in the City and is certainly to be commended for allowing its roofs to be used for research purposes. Not only will it provide a benchmark for best practice, but it also demonstrates that retrofitting green roofs onto existing buildings is both environmentally and economically viable and is the way forward in helping London adapt to climate change.System installedBauderflex Green 1 BauderPLANT E 42A torch applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet. This product features chemically treated bitumen to deliver superior root resistance which has been tested and approved by the FLL2 BauderTEC Sprint DUOA self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen underlayer with DUO lap technology. This product has a glass fleece reinforcement feature for stability and strength.3 BauderPIR FA-TEFlatboard insulation boards containing rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR).4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finish.XF 301 Sedum System1 BauderGREEN XF 301Sedum vegetation blanket instantly providing at least 90% coverage on an extensive green roof. Integrated water retention and filter layer.2 BauderGREEN AL 4040mm high perforated edge/drainage trim frames and retains the Bauder XF 301 sedum system.3 BauderGREEN SDFMulti-functional drainage and filtration layer which prevents the roots of sedum plants from becoming waterlogged.4 BauderPLANT ETorch-on root-resistant capping sheet green.AdvocacyGavin McCourt MRICS, Project Manager for The Museum of London said:“In producing the business case for installing green roofs, reference was made to the extensive published documents on the benefits of green roofs. In this case as the museum building had already been energy modelled by outside consultants, it was decided to input the green roof specification into the model. The results showed a potential energy saving of 10% per year, as well as a reduction in future replacement costs for heating and cooling plant. These factors, combined with the longer life cycle replacement of green roofs compared with normal felt roofing systems, enabled me to produce a robust business case for green roofs. With increasing energy prices the economic benefits of installing green roofs can only become more viable”Dusty Gedge added:“One of the major issues that London faces is flash floods during the summer, when sudden rainfall levels overwhelm the current drainage network. With the support of Drain London we will be researching the rainwater run-off for different green roofs. This will help us validate the kind of roofs and depth of substrates that will negate the costly effects that the sudden rainfall has on the infrastructure of the City.”

This asbestos roof is being cleaned using a closed box pressure wash, with all waste water being filtered and recovered for re-use. Once cleaned, the roof is coated with the BBA Approved Asbestoseal system which includes: SWT CORROSION PRIMER - fully rust and wet tolerant, the primer is applied to all metal fixing to stop further corrosion. NON-SAG SEALER - is applied to all fixings and small holes and cracks to permanently seal them. ASBESTOSEAL 20 is brush applied to the roof sheets to provide a new finish.

Fire-rated smart parcel lockers (MySmartBox) and mailboxes (FR120MBH) in Bronze finish installed in a high end lobby in Oxford Street (London).

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre at Sydney Harbour in New South Wales, Australia and is one of the 20th century’s most famous and distinctive buildings. The roof was created to resemble the sail of boats, this creative and very unique roof made it one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Interfloor was proud to supply 11,000 sqm of our Technics 5 underlay to all the carpeted public areas in this building. Duralay Technics 5 was chosen due to its superior flame retardancy, sound insulation properties & durability. With an End Use Classification (BS 5808: 1991: HC/U) of Heavy Contract Use, Technics 5 has an excellent recovery from compression which is essential as the building attracts nearly 11 million visitors each year! Not only is Technics 5 great for heavy footfall but it also acts as a sound reduction for both impact sound and airborne sound, so for commercial buildings like the Sydney Opera House, having underlay that also acts as sound reduction can really boost performance.

The Cartcraigs high-rise project located in the heart of Southside Glasgow was a rewarding project to be involved with allowing real transformation and change in several key areas.The tower block was originally built in the 1960’s with a grey cladding finish but due to decades of inclement Scottish weather, the building was weather-beaten, tired and dated. With its stature and prominent location, the building should have been an attractive living option in Southside Glasgow but instead was unappealing to potential residents, and in desperate need of modernisation.Rising fuel prices and the current poor thermal performance of the tower block, meant it was extremely difficult and expensive for tenants to heat their flats – so much so that many occupants were considered in a state of fuel poverty.In collaboration with MAST Architects and our approved installer PWM, we designed a façade solution that not only significantly improved the thermal performance of the building, but transformed Cartcraigs aesthetically creating a modern, fit-for-purpose living space.A complete revamp which has given the building a new lease of life and delivered safe, modern and energy efficient homes for the residents.Our ServiceDue to the scale of this project, the congested location and small site footprint, we had to work closely with our approved installer, main contractor, and local authority to ensure minimum disruption to both the residents of Cartcraigs and residents of the surrounding area.Delivery routes and schedules were agreed to ensure consideration for local residents throughout the project.As part of our service commitment, our Site Application Specialists carried out regular site visits to ensure our system was installed to the highest standard and in line with our specification.They were available throughout the duration of the project to provide technical guidance, installation support and ensure the highest levels of quality. This allowed the K Systems Technical & Logistics Teams to support the schedule of the project with timely delivery of materials to site and ensuring there were no delays during the installation and inspection processes.“In conjunction with the Architects we approached K Systems to design a system to comply with fire regulations and offer a solution to make the look of the building more aesthetically pleasing along with making it a point of interest within the Southside area. Great site support was provided by Ally along with Technical/Service support from Jim and Martin. The team at PWM look forward to working on our next project with K Systems.”Kevin Fox, PWM Projects ManagerTechnical Project DetailsThe original façade incorporated a 25mm cavity with reinforced concrete inner leaf shaped panels, which could be seen beneath the then grey façade panelling. Wheatley Group, the client, had requested a clean, crisp, and smooth finish that would also comply with Scottish Fire Regulations.After numerous design meetings taking into consideration client requirements, budgets, and timeframes, we put forward our industry-proven K Systems M Silicone EWI system. The system was designed using 160mm non-combustible mineral wool insulation to meet the 0.18 (W/m2K) U-value requirement, making it the perfect choice for the refurbishment to combat the heating issues faced by residents and futureproof the building as a viable living space for years to come.Bespoke technical detailing and rigorous adherence to our high-rise policy ensured a high performing system with an A2 non-combustible fire rating, complying with all safety regulations for buildings over 11m in Scotland. The 160mm insulated grey and white façade delivered a really attractive high-rise that will now better withstand the Scottish elements.The finish used was our high-performance thin coat render, Silicone TC15. The contemporary colours of grey and white were chosen from our wide range of colours which visually transformed the 17-storey building. Our polymer rich Silicone TC15 allows ease of application, and its hydrophobic properties will provide a clean, crisp and low-maintenance finish for years to come.Our specification included bespoke detailing to provide solutions for Cartcraig’s individual retrofit design challenges. We also commissioned wind load calculations and fixing pull-out tests to determine optimum fixing patterns to anchor the EWI system to the different substrates. Ultimately, a safe, thermally efficient and visually appealing result was achieved.“K Systems provided a great overall package from the inception of this project with design advice, through the technical stages, with assistance through specification and then with the provision of weekly reports and checks once the project got on site. Cartcraigs, being a high-rise block needed monitoring and adherence to the project specification, and having the K Systems team providing regular on site checks gave the design team the assurance that all requirements were being met.”David Locke, Mast Architects

The size and poorly insulated design of the Avon Fire & Rescue Service's existing building makes it uneconomically expensive to maintain and run. To address this, the building is being demolished in stages with a new fire station being built on a much smaller footprint. The energy performance of the building envelope was a key consideration. A target U-value of 0.23 W/m²·K was set for the walls of the building. To help achieve this Kingspan Kooltherm K15 Rainscreen Board was specified. This has allowed the Service to not only save lives, but also energy and money.

Lignacite have established a reputation for their extensive range of high quality commodity and architectural facing masonry blocks capable of improving acoustic, sound absorption and sound insulation values. Sound absorption is an extremely effective method of lessening the echo and noise within a space, room or building. Products designed to absorb sound are normally made from soft materials which act to soak up noise as it hits the surface. However certain blocks manufactured by Lignacite perform considerably better than would be expected for a denser material.

Entering a building is usually the only way to find out what takes place inside. But that’s not the case with the Manchester Metropolitan University’s new School of Digital Arts (SODA). It acts as a giant canvas to illuminate digital content produced by students, thanks to an LED rainscreen façade on its northern face. The five-storey, 5,200m2 SODA building is adjacent to the Manchester School of Art and will provide space for a digital innovation and User Experience (UX) lab, film studios, green screens, edit suites, sound, music and production studios; alongside a screening room and gallery space. Like all rainscreen façade projects, the SODA building needed insulation to meet the required thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance, but the LED façade added complexity to the specification. The chosen rainscreen panels were perforated with small holes to allow the lights to shine through – but this also meant the insulation could be seen from certain angles, so the insulation needed to look aesthetically pleasing too. During the design process, architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios had specified Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the project. It is non-combustible with a Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, so complies with building regulations that ban combustible insulation on certain buildings over 18m tall in England and Wales.  Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab also has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK so could meet the U-value of 0.19 Wm2K. And thanks to its sound absorption characteristics, critical for low mass rainscreen structures, it will help create a quieter space for the students. The principal contractor Kier Construction had tasked specialist façade contractors Maple Sunscreening with determining the required thickness and aesthetics. So they contacted Knauf Insulation to discuss the best solution.  Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook 3D U-value calculations and confirmed that a 150mm slab should be used for the project.  What’s more, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. This gives Knauf Insulation’s mineral wool its unique brown colour, so the insulation won’t stand out behind the perforated rainscreen panels. It also makes it soft to touch, easy to handle and generates low levels of dust and VOCs. As a result, products made with ECOSE® Technology have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is designed to be easy to install correctly. Slabs are robust which makes them easy to manoeuvre into place. Once in position, they butt tightly together and adapt to any imperfections in the substrate. This prevents unintended air gaps that can compromise thermal, fire safety or acoustic performance. Using Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was the optimal solution for the SODA building providing both the high thermal, fire safety and acoustic performance demanded of modern buildings. And thanks to its unique brown colour, the mineral wool insulation won’t be a distraction, instead acting as the perfect backdrop for the dazzling LED light displays created by the students. 

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.

GP practice staff in Aberdeen are enjoying a new and improved environment at their purpose-built facility, with the help of the OPTIM-R Roofing System

The StoRend Flex external render system, which utilizes the StoVentec carrier board, has been applied as a finish to the upper storey of this new contemporary house, designed by Ström Architects of Lymington.

Extensive upgrades to the distributed heating system at two low-rise housing blocks by Camden London Borough Council, have chosen Pendock bespoke metal pipe boxing to conceal and protect exterior pipework.The 3 storey Ludham block and 6 storey Waxham building provide more than 200 dwellings, which are occupied by both tenants and leaseholders. Following the installation of the heating system pipework to the exterior of the buildings, the Pendock aluminium and PPC coated boxing was installed to provide a uniform and more aesthetic finish to the project while also providing weather protection.

As residents have a varied degree of mobility, care was taken to ensure a level threshold on all doors to external spaces. To achieve this, whilst keeping the area well insulated, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System was specified. 40 mm Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System was installed on the terrace below Kingspan Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM. Kingspan OPTIM-R panels were also installed on the balconies, with matching thicknesses of flex infill strips laid around the edges. A further layer of Kingspan Thermataper TT47 LPC/FM was installed above this, providing a fall to the gutter.

Degaflex Fire Rated Roofing system providing a watertight finish, either smooth or textured. This installation was required to overcome a long standing issue with water ingress / leaking through the roof.The building was an outhouse in Snodland, Kent. The roof had been leaking for some time, Degaflex was installed onto a felt substrate by London GRP Roofing Ltd.Stephen Knuckey, the Director of London GRP Roofing Ltd. posted on LinkedIn ‘Our #Degaflex overlay. Safe to say I’m extremely pleased with the finish on this. Being a felt overlay and turning out this smooth, I’ll be looking forward to applying it directly to an OSB deck.’

When the London School of Economics (LSE) sought an architect for The Marshall Building, it held an international competition to select a contemporary design that matches its global academic reputation.The winning design by Grafton Architects features striking pale stone rainscreen cladding that contrasts with the red bricks of surrounding buildings on Lincoln’s Inn Fields.At 10 storeys high, the building needed to conform with the changes to building regulations which ban the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m in England and Wales. As a result, Grafton Architects specified Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the three external wall build-ups.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is BBA certified for use at any height and the broadest range of thicknesses and build-ups on the market. It has the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, is manufactured from Rock Mineral Wool and has a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK.With U-values of 0.14 Wm2K, 0.20 Wm2K, and 0.21 Wm2K required for the different rainscreen wall build-ups, sub-contractor I&S Construction consulted Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team about the right depth of insulation. After conducting U-value calculations, 150mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab was recommended for all three build-ups.As well as fire safety and thermal performance, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has excellent sound absorption properties.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 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, 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.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, the Marshall Building will provide students and academics at LSE with a comfortable and quiet environment to facilitate their world-class academic work.