Increasing use of external wall insulation

Affordable housing constructed with external wall insulation for speed and cost-effectiveness

Winners of INCA Andy Swan Awards Affordable housing is now being constructed speedily, simply and cost effectively due to the increasing use of external wall insulation for this sector.

External wall insulation is one of the fastest growing building techniques in the UK.

Two distinctive apartment blocks lead the new build affordable housing category in the Andy Swan 2005 Awards, sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

The winning building was Wellend Villas, Springfield Road, Brighton, which comprises 50 flats in two five-storey blocks, and includes a courtyard, commercial terraces and underground parking.

This project, for the Southern Housing Group, used Dryvit Outsulation external wall insulation, with 140mm EPS insulation in places to project past cedar cladding to create a layered effect, and 70mm in other areas to achieve 0.35W/m2K over single skin blockwork.

An acrylic based anti-crack render, also from Dryvit UK , was used alongside the external wall insulation system to create an inverted plinth effect.

Some 1200 square metres of the two systems were installed in all.

Finish texture used was Sandpebble Fine in three complimentary pastel colours to make the building stand out.

The project took just seven months to build.

Both the system designer and the installer, Walltec , are INCA members.

The specifiers were Denne Construction, and DRP Architects, whose Ivor Dring presented the project at INCA's June Seminar.

Hanover Park, Peckham, London SE15, was runner-up in the affordable housing category.

It will provide accommodation for key workers from Kings College Hospital Trust and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, and is set to become a local landmark and define future schemes in Southwark.

The GBP9M project comprised 77 flats in four residential blocks located around a central glazed access walkway, with landscaped courtyards and a new public open space.

A fast-track construction used prefabricated bathroom and service pods internally; lightweight steel frame walls externally, clad variously with standing seam zinc cladding, two contrasting through coloured acrylic renders and brick effect render; and extensive glazed panels.

The architect, Alan Camp, wanted to achieve a U-value of 0.25 W/m2K, and so used PermaRock's BRE accredited phenolic external wall insulation system with 70 mm insulation and a combination of contrasting acrylic and brick effect render finishes.

The system designer was PermaRock Products ; and the installer George Howe - both INCA members.

Prestigious and affordable housing was illustrated during a recent Seminar held at the Building Centre, London, to discuss external wall insulation in the new build field.

The refurbishment of buildings will be covered by an Autumn seminar.

Both seminars are sponsored by the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

Architects, builders and developers, energy managers and registered social landlords are invited to participate by personal invitation only.

Apply to the Insulated Render and Cladding Association.

Information on the process and local installers is also available.

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