New Styroclad for roofing parapets

Styroclad the insulated soffit lining panel from Panel Systems has been upgraded, with the introduction of 'A' grade Styrofoam from Dow Chemical.

'A' grade Styrofoam is manufactured using naturally occurring Carbon Dioxide as the blowing agent - so there are no additional emissions to the atmosphere that would contribute to climate change.

Styroclad is manufactured by Sheffield based Panel Systems and has an excellent track record as an insulated soffit lining board.

The switch to the new grade of Styrofoam has resulted in a number of new opportunities, specifically parapet insulation.

The new grade of Styroclad can assist in meeting the requirements of BREEAM assessments, which is the leading environmental assessment method for non-residential buildings (offices, retail and industrial) and provides an overall score which falls within a band between Pass, Good, Very Good or Excellent.

In projects with exposed floor slabs, Styroclad is the ideal product for insulating the soffit area and is easy to install.

On large flat roofs with parapets, Styroclad is a perfect solution to eliminating 'thermal bridging' around parapet/roof junctions.

Styroclad 'A Grade' which is made with 'A' grade Styrofoam offers Global Warming Potential of one and Ozone Depletion Potential of zero and therefore meets the requirements of BREEAM.

Styroclad is faced with 6mm heavy duty Minerit.

Minerit is a moisture-resistant, high density and inert material that is able to withstand the most severe climatic extremes and requires no further finishing on site.

Thermal bridging is more likely to occur around the parapet, especially those framed with steel studs.

These studs provide a clear route by which heat from inside the building can bypass the otherwise continuous roof insulation.

Due to the exposed nature of the parapet, particularly during the winter months, it will remain at the same temperature as the external air.

This acts as a 'cold sink' drawing heat from inside the building.

Building owners and operators looking to improve on their BREEAM assessments can now choose Styroclad to insulate the parapet, preventing this cold sink effect.

Styroclad is also effective for improving insulation on existing buildings, especially where the parapet has not been built with a thermal break between it and the roof slab, which would otherwise create a thermal bridge.

Owners and operators of existing buildings that are now required to carry out a DEC (Display Energy Certificate) assessment will find Styroclad a highly effective method of upgrading insulation on exposed slabs.

Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems, said, "Many building owners and operators are realising that a building which gains a higher BREEAM assessment is a much more comfortable and valuable asset".

"The fact that it can also be used to improve DEC ratings on existing buildings, means that it is perfect for helping developers and local authorities to meet all the very latest environmental legislation, whatever the project".

Styroclad can be fixed directly to concrete or timber battens, which is extremely easy to do.

There are no Health and Safety issues either, as the board contains no harmful fibres and can easily be cut on site.

Danny Phelan continues, "We are delighted that Styroclad is proving so popular and offering a sustainable solution for developers insulating parapets".

"With its new insulated core, we very much look forward to helping customers develop buildings which are sustainable and carbon-neutral for years to come".

Offering bespoke benefits to local authorities and the commercial sector alike, Styroclad is available in any thickness from 20mm to 150mm.

Standard board dimensions are 2500 x 1200mm.

Panel Systems is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of insulation products, composite panels, structural foams and flexible staging systems.

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