GA/03.07.09                                           DEMOLISH 1/3

DEMOLISH, RE-STYLE OR BUILD NEW HOUSING?

How External Wall Insulation Can Play Major Role in Doubling the SAP Rating of Traditional Social Housing

In facing a decision to demolish outdated, but structurally sound, social housing, or to re-style it to meet modern thermal insulation and design requirements, registered social landlords should be considering external wall insulation as a solution. For instance, a development of 50-year old homes was remodelled to achieve double the existing SAP rating. Alternatively, in building new social or affordable housing, external wall insulation can accomplish almost any thermal or design requirement. Four different developments, all winners in the INCA Andy Swan Awards 2009, achieved the same end result of providing warm, comfortable and stylish homes. The Awards are sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

          Winner of the social housing, low-rise category for refurbishment was Steane type houses for Bournemouth BC. They wanted to upgrade their thermal efficiency to current Building Regulations, and provide the concrete panel houses with a more traditional look, refurbishing them to the Decent Homes Standard. They used the PermaRock external wall insulation system to overclad the homes with 70mm mineral fibre, finished with white acrylic through–coloured render to the upper floors, and brick effect render to the lower floors. The system designer was PermaRock Products Ltd; the installer, George Howe Ltd; both INCA members.

          Highly commended was Brownhill Refurbishment Phase 2, at Shannon Drive, Brownhills, Walsall. The Walsall Housing Group wished to bring a new lease of life into deprived properties, combining colour with durability and improving thermal values. The 209 REEMA hollow cast concrete panel homes were transferred to the housing association after 50 years of neglect, when they were faced with the decision of whether to demolish or renovate.

          They decided to apply the weber.therm external wall insulation system, with 70mm phenolic insulation to the upper sections, and 40mm phenolic and 20mm EPS insulation to the lower sections. This was finished by using dashing aggregate in various colours above to separate streets for individuality of appearance, and a hard wearing red multi brick slip below, to provide impact resistance. Although the insulation thickness had to be limited, U-values of between 0.20W/m²K and 0.37W/m²K were achieved.

          Together with improved glazing, doors and roof insulation, the insulation and cladding systems more than doubled the SAP rating from just 41 to a superior 88. Some £6M was spent on the total refurbishment.

          Another factor in selecting an external wall insulation system was the speed of application – the properties were completed in just 12 months – to cause as little disruption to the tenants and community as possible. The main contractor was Frank Haslam Milan; the system designer was Weber; and the installer, Slimline Building Services Ltd – the latter two members of INCA.

          Winning the social housing category for new build was Gerald Court, Burnley, BB11 3PG, an eye-catching development of sheltered accommodation bungalows, built to the highest standards, to enable the residents to live independently in comfort and security. Playing a key role was the weber.therm external wall insulation system, consisting of 30mm mineral fibre slabs, with a meshcloth reinforcement, finished with white acrylic render. Applied to the timber frame construction with timber sheathing board, this achieved a U-value better than 0.3W/m²K. The specifer, PRP Architects, wanted minimal lines, and a pure white finish to complement contrasting roofline, windows and stonework. The client was Calico Housing with Places for People; the system designer was Weber; and the installer, Slimline Building Services Ltd; the latter two members of INCA.

          Highly commended was Richmond Hill, Salford, Manchester, a new build landmark scheme for Irwell Valley HA, which also included the refurbishment and remodelling of a Grade II listed building, together providing 57 city centre apartments for shared ownership. The PermaRock external wall insulation system was specified by DAC Architects to overclad the blockwork and light weight metal frame construction. This incorporated mineral fibre insulation and was finished in a variety of facade materials, including through-coloured render and brick slips to match the surrounding existing brick colour in the adjoining listed building. The system designer was PermaRock Products Ltd; and the installer, E J Horrocks Ltd - both INCA Members.

The Insulated Render & Cladding Association is at Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX ; tel: 0844 249 0040; fax: 0844 249 0042; e-mail: info@inca-ltd.org.uk; or www.inca-ltd.org.uk.

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Further information from the INCA Secretariat
on 0844 249 0040.

Downloadable Images:-

images\Steane Houses, Bournemouth

images\Brownhill Refurbishment, Phase 2, Walsall

images\Gerald Court, Burnley

images\Richmond Hill, Salford, Manchester

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