Oct 31 2007
Outdated, cold, damp housing stock throughout the UK is being given the insulated render treatment to transform it into warm, dry and visually appealing homes. Five such projects have been recognised by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association in their prestigious Andy Swan Awards 2007 for the best use of insulated renders for low rise social housing.
The winner is BISF housing at Windmill Lane, Wombwell, Barnsley, which was refurbished using a structural insulated render system that would transfer the extra weight of the cladding onto the existing metal frame via galvanised steel rails spanning between columns. The Alumasc Swisspan system, incorporated 50 mm phenolic insulation to achieve a U-value of 0.37W/m2K, thus providing the high thermal insulation required, eliminated internal condensation and rain penetration, and provided an attractive new appearance with a range of colour options to ensure resident satisfaction. The polymer cement dashing render finish requires minimal routine maintenance, with any damage easily rectified. Heating costs and carbon dioxide emissions have been dramatically reduced. The specifier was Berneslai Homes; the system designer, Alumasc Exterior Building Products; and the installer, Pegasus Externals – the latter two INCA members.
Wates houses in Suffolk, took the runner-up place. They have been totally modernised using PermaRock’s mineral fibre external wall insulation system with acrylic render and traditional brick slip finish, along with new windows, doors and canopies. The traditional brick slips were used as featured soldier courses under the windows to provide contrast with the various through-coloured render colours chosen. This upgraded the properties to better Building Regulations at 0.30W/m2K. The system designer was PermaRock Products Ltd; and the installer E J Horrocks Ltd – both INCA members.
Three projects in Wales were highly commended. At Trimsaran, Phase 2, traditional 1940s houses were transformed from damp, cold houses to warm, well insulated and attractive homes. The original properties were overcoated with a PermaRock insulated render system, comprising 50 mm phenolic insulation to achieve a U-value of 0.32W/m2K (from 1.45W/m2K), fully compliant with Welsh Housing Standards and finished with brick effect render and dash silicone render. The neighbourhood has been given a new lease of life, with the time span increased on the homes, and tenants saved money on running them, plus enjoying a more attractive and cleaner environment. The client was the Carmarthen County Borough Council; the system designer, PermaRock Products Ltd; and the installer Joyner PA (Cymru) Ltd – the last two members of INCA.
Hillside Terrace, Pant Estate, Newbridge, near Caerphilly, comprised Cornish prc properties that were refurbished using a WBS insulated render system with a brick slip finish. Caerphilly County Borough Council wanted to modernise the properties, reducing the U-value from 2.10W/m2K to 0.3W/m2K, and providing a new look to match private houses on the estate treated with brick skins. The properties were tested by Michael Dyson Associates under the NTHAS scheme, and the external render system installed following on-site mechanical pull-out tests. The system comprised 60 mm Kingspan phenolic insulation with a brick slip finish, with dark brown pointing mortar to ground floor elevations. The system designer was Wetherby Building Systems; the insulation supplier, Kingspan Insulation Ltd; and the installer, Joyner PA (Cymru) Ltd – all members of INCA.
At 236/284 Bryn Celyn, Pentwyn, Cardiff, the planners wanted a major change/upgrade of the local area’s aesthetic appearance and to reduce heating costs for this private sector housing. Old, drab and neglected no-fines houses were transformed using a WBS external wall insulation system comprising 50 mm phenolic insulation, reducing the U-value from 2.44W/m2K to 0.35W/m2K, with a modern decorative silicone render finish and brick slips for the entrance porch. The client was Cardiff City Council; the system designer, Wetherby Building Systems Ltd; and the installer Connaught Partnerships Ltd (Cardiff office) – the latter two INCA members.
These and other winning projects were illustrated at the INCA Seminar and Exhibition held at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, in October.
To obtain information on insulated renders, contact the Insulated Render and Cladding Association at www.inca-ltd.org.uk.