INCA Case Study: Carmarthenshire South Framework 2023

Project Detail

Sika, Carmarthenshire Council and T.A.D. Builders worked collaboratively on this EWI project with the goal to combat fuel poverty and improve the aesthetics of 12 council owned dwellings scattered across the rural Carmarthenshire community. This project is of merit because it demonstrates the commitment of the Council, Sika, and T.A.D Builders to support vulnerable communities, wherever they are located – these homes are spread across a vast area with some properties being up to 40 miles apart.

This geographical spread of homes presented logistical challenges for supply of materials and labour. T.A.D. Builders demonstrated superb commitment to the project, dealing with each site on an individual basis, ensuring that the correct materials were available at each site as required, and according to the planned programme of works. T.A.D. Builders and Sika worked together from the outset to lay out a plan of individual site surveys, installation, and post inspections, without compromising on the quality and speed of installation for the tenants.

In addition to this, the homes were sometimes located on mixed estates of council owned and private dwellings, meaning permissions to carry out the works were even more complicated than usual. T.A.D. Builders demonstrated outstanding collaboration with the Council to ensure that each site was individually managed, the homeowner and neighbouring community were satisfied, and the works carried out to plan.

Thanks to their long-standing relationship with Sika, T.A.D. Builders were the perfect partner for the installation of the Sika Parextherm EWI on these dwellings. They have a reliable workforce who are well trained and knowledgeable on the range of Sika products, and therefore could be relied upon to carry out effective installations without the need for extensive additional training. This meant T.A.D. Builders could concentrate on the rollout of high quality EWI installations for each dwelling, with the full support of the Sika technical team to inspect and review the works as they were carried out.

This has resulted in outstanding results for the residents of these 12 homes, delivering a U-value of 0.29W/m²K, which is a significant reduction from the original U-Value of 1.66W/m²K. This surpasses the 0.30W/m²K requirements of building regulations and demonstrates Carmarthenshire Council’s commitment to improving thermal performance of its housing stock by partnering with Sika’s premium quality EWI system. This level of U-value reduction has truly impacted the residents of these homes, and not only improved their financial outgoings, but also supported their mental health, living in homes that look and feel so much nicer to live in.

To achieve these commendable U-Value improvements, a Sika Parextherm EWI system was used, comprising 90mm EPS Grey, with a traditional dash finish. This system was perfectly suited to this project as it offers a best-in-class base coat that can be used in all weathers, alongside a hard-wearing dash finish, that can stand up to the elements of the local Carmarthenshire climate.

This project demonstrates a true collaboration between all parties involved, with a real commitment to improving fuel poverty for vulnerable tenants in the Carmarthenshire community. Sika, Carmarthenshire Council, and T.A.D. Builders have demonstrated the highest level of support to these families, ensuring each home across the vast geographical locations received the best quality EWI installation. The aim of achieving the lowest possible U-value to aid the reduction in energy costs and improve resident’s general wellbeing has been a resounding success.

Delwyn Jones, Director, T.A.D. Builders

“This scheme delivered such a successful outcome because of our excellent long-term relationships with Sika and Carmarthenshire Council. We are proud to have delivered a high quality EWI installation for the homeowners across Carmarthenshire thanks to these strong partnerships.”