INCA Case Study: The Tides, Portrush
The Tides, Portrush
Project Type: New Build
Building Type: Low Rise, Residential
Architect: 2020 Architects
System Designer: Saint-Gobain Weber
Installer: Clarke Eco Wall
System & Finish: webertherm XM (MFD), silicone thin coat render
U-Value After: 0.22W/m²K
Perfectly insulated apartments in Portrush
The Northern Irish coastal town of Portrush, known as Port Rois in old Irish, is set on a mile-long peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Overlooked by the famous Dunluce Castle, it boasts stunning blue flag beaches on either side and is just a short drive from world heritage site The Giant’s Causeway.
It’s also home to the largest amusement park in Northern Ireland as well as a harbour and the historic Royal Portrush Golf Club – one of the best and most challenging golf courses in the world and host venue for the Irish Open tournament.
For these reasons, the town attracts tourists from far and wide, which makes it a lucrative location to develop properties.
In 2022, local housebuilder CBIN Developments began working with County Antrim-based 2020 Architects to create The Tides – a Portrush development of 11 two- and three-bedroom self-contained modern apartments. The new homes, built on Causeway Street, overlook the Irish Sea.
Maximising comfort and energy efficiency
CBIN Developments prides itself on building homes that are “quieter, cleaner, healthier, smarter and safer”. They are designed to be as energy efficient as possible, exceeding building control requirements.
For this reason, the architect specified Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM external wall insulation (EWI) system for The Tides.
Designed to improve the thermal performance of the building, the system achieved a U-value of just 0.22 W/m²K for the properties.
This will help to ensure residents are kept warmer through the winter months and cooler during warm weather, therefore benefitting from lower energy bills.
Fast and efficient installation
The EWI system was installed directly onto the masonry substrate by Jan Kula from Clarke Eco Wall Ltd, who is familiar with Weber products, having worked with them previously.
Once the substrate had been suitably prepared, 130mm of webertherm MFD non-combustible mineral fibre wool insulation was mechanically fixed using appropriate fixings. When used as part of the webertherm XM system comprising webersil TF and weberend LAC rapid, the specification achieves the reaction to fire classification: A2 – s1, d0, in accordance with BS EN 13501-1.
It also boasts noise absorption properties, making it an ideal choice for an apartment block.
Two passes of weberend LAC rapid, totalling 6mm – reinforced with weber standard meshcloth – were machine applied, before finishing with webersil TF silicone thin coat render in Winter White to give a modern textured finish. The render required no priming before the thin coat render was applied, saving additional time in the application process.
The base coat render provides good impact resistance and weather protection while the thin coat silicone render is a reliable solution for areas exposed to harsher conditions, such as coastal resorts like Portrush.
The EWI system was installed between August 2023 and January 2024.
“The fact that weberend LAC rapid is fast drying was a massive benefit for Jan as he worked through the winter months,”
said Michael Clarke, managing director of Clarke Eco Wall.
“Not to mention Weber’s products can be machine applied, which saves times and keeps waste down to a minimum.”
Hands-on support from Weber
Throughout the project, Jan was supported by a dedicated team from Weber, including applications manager Curtis Johnson, area sales manager Steven Hawe, and specifications manager Alan Burnell.
Michael added:
“As always, we had some excellent back-up support from the Weber team. Curtis and Steven conducted regular site visits throughout the project to check everything was going smoothly, while Alan was on hand for any technical queries.”
CBIN Developments prides itself on building homes that are “quieter, cleaner, healthier, smarter and safer”. They are designed to be as energy efficient as possible, exceeding building control requirements.