SPECIFYING THE RIGHT IWI SYSTEM FOR A PERIOD HOME - 20.12.11
After a lot of research into the best possible insulation
solution for a low energy upgrade of a Georgian property, homeowner
Paul King, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council,
specified Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell® Internal Wall
Insulation (IWI) System, for high thermal performance.
Many of the UK’s existing homes are inefficient when it comes to
using heat energy, and it's estimated that these account for about
27 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions. Paul King's 1790 period
home falls into the category of 'hard to treat' solid masonry wall
properties, and it is an area that urgently needs attention in
terms of upgrading the building's thermal fabric.
Older houses are not as easily treated as modern cavity wall
constructions, which can be tackled relatively simply, so a
flexible, cost effective and highly efficient system of insulating
walls was needed. Paul was keen not to alter the façade of
the building, as two sides are exposed brick and the other
elevations have been rendered for a very long time. He
therefore looked to an internal system that could be used as part
of a planned and phased approach - on a room-by-room basis.
Having viewed ThermoShell IWI system demonstrations and spoken to
the technical advice team, Paul decided to opt for the flexible
system, with it first being installed into the dining room area, as
he was having a new window installed that was going to cause a
certain amount of disruption and redecoration anyway.
IWI is often the preferred system for upgrading properties when
altering the exterior of the building isn’t an option and they
deliver high levels of thermal performance cost effectively.
The ThermoShell IWI system can upgrade a property to current
Building Regulation thermal standards and beyond. It consists
of composite thermally engineered studs (EcoStuds) and insulation
slabs (Earthwool® EcoBatt), which can be combined to provide
greater thicknesses of thermal insulation than achievable by using
a single thickness.
The system can accommodate wall imperfections, fixings for
fittings such as radiators, and can be easily adapted around
openings such as windows and doors. No scaffolding is required and
the system can be installed as part of a whole house refurbishment
plan.
Additionally, the simplicity of the ThermoShell IWI system
allows a competent tradesman to become an Approved Contractor and
install the system using a traditional plaster skim finish or dry
lining techniques.
Builder and landscaper, Andrew J. Horne in charge of the
project, comments: "The team at Knauf Insulation helpfully came on
to site to work with us to ensure we were fully conversant with the
materials and system, meaning a swift and efficient installation
process."
Paul King comments: "The whole installation process was really
quite simple. With the Knauf Insulation 25 year guarantee, I have
complete peace of mind with the system, and hope to roll it out
around my house, room by room."
-ENDS-