THERMOSHELL IS PUT TO THE TEST ON LABORATORY REFURBISHMENT - 29.9.11
Responding to the need to upgrade the energy efficiency of an
existing building in creating its new laboratory facility in St
Helens, Knauf Insulation has installed its ThermoShell® External Wall Insulation (EWI)
system.
With the objective of uniting all departments together under one
roof, the Knauf Insulation Process and Product Development (PPD)
Laboratory building has undergone a refurbishment programme, which
has resulted in a highly insulated and thermally efficient building
fabric replacing an extremely inefficient one, as well as
exchanging the existing windows and roof.
Architects Gornall Cross, based in St Helens, assisted in the
new design, which incorporated Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell EWI
System, as a cost effective, thermally efficient solution to
insulating solid and hard to treat walls.
To upgrade the thermal efficiency of a solid wall requires an
insulation layer to be installed either on the internal surface
(Internal Wall Insulation, commonly known as IWI), or on the outer
surface of the wall, EWI. “In this instance, EWI was the most
fitting solution,” said architect Stephen Culley, “as it avoids any
internal disruption, so it is particularly suitable for large
residential properties, flats and office buildings.”
The system has been designed for the lifetime of the property,
protecting the existing façade from the effects of weathering and
extending the longevity of the building. Installing an
external wall insulation system also provides the opportunity to
enhance and upgrade the appearance of the façade, which was an
attractive prospect to Knauf
Insulation.
The cost-effective ThermoShell system can upgrade a property to
current Building Regulation thermal standards and beyond,
drastically reducing carbon dioxide emissions and in turn helping
to significantly lower energy bills.
Main contractors Ibbotson Construction, along with leading
insulation installers Mark Group, installed the system, which
comprises 10mm hand or machine applied bonding mortar, with 130mm
ThermoShell rock mineral wool slabs mechanically fixed to the
existing walls. Designed specifically for the refurbishment
of existing solid walls, the highly breatheable ThermoShell Rock
Mineral Wool System is both robust and durable, whilst having
superior fire rating performance as it is non-combustible and
classified as A1 to BS EN ISO 13501-1 – a crucial requirement for
any public building.
The insulation is finished with a 5-7mm layer of reinforcing
mortar, which can be applied by either hand or machine. One
of the most important elements of the system is an alkali resistant
glass fibre mesh, which is installed to add protection to the
system and to help prevent cracking. A quartz sand primer is then
applied over the dry reinforcing coat providing superior adhesion
before finishing off with a UV resistant / low maintenance topcoat
render over the entire system.
David Sherlock, Divisional Head - Solid Wall Systems from Mark
Group Ltd explains: “As an approved Knauf Insulation installer we
were pleased to have the opportunity to be one of the first in the
UK to install the Knauf Insulation Thermoshell EWI system. The ease
of application and technical robustness of the system makes it
ideal for such applications.”
Gary Peacey, EWI Development Manager at Knauf Insulation
comments: “In terms of non-domestic properties, there are almost
two million in the UK, which are responsible for approximately 17
per cent of our carbon emissions, making this a key area of
opportunity for fighting climate change. One of the easiest
means of improving the energy performance of any building is
upgrading the insulation in the fabric.
“The ThermoShell range also includes an Internal Wall Insulation
(IWI) option providing a solution to properties where internal
insulation is preferred or more suitable. By offering both EWI and
IWI, the ThermoShell systems offer ideal solutions for upgrading
existing solid wall constructions while still delivering high
levels of thermal performance, giving developers and installers
alike greater choice and flexibility in specifying the right
application – or hybrid solution to suit the particular project
requirements.”
-ENDS-