StoSilent A-Tec ensures tranquillity at Spa centre

New Laguna Health and Spa Club at the Park Plaza Hotel in Cardiff is the first project in the UK to make use of Sto's StoSilent A-Tec acoustic insulation system.

The new £2 million Laguna Health and Spa Club at the Park Plaza Hotel in Cardiff is the first project in the UK to make use of Sto's StoSilent A-Tec acoustic insulation system.

The state-of-the-art Cardiff facility features a 20-metre stainless steel swimming pool, steam room, jacuzzi, changing rooms and a 40-station gymnasium with fitness equipment.

Hard surfaces within the swimming pool area, such as ceramic tiling and glass reflect unwanted sound and intensify reverberation levels.

As the leisure complex is adjacent to the Park Plaza hotel, and has offices above, adequate acoustic insulation and vapour proofing were of key importance for the project.

StoSilent A -Tec was chosen for the ceiling because it is the only system able to achieve the required performance levels using a single product.

A total of 350m2 of StoSilent A - Tec lightweight monolithic acoustic panels, were installed.

The panels have a weighted sound absorption factor of up to 0.85* and have an integrated vapour proofing material to protect against condensation.

Additionally, the system's integrated fire protection was important as fire regulations become ever more stringent.

Non-combustible wall and ceiling linings are now compulsory in many public buildings and meeting places.

Architect John Wotton, who was responsible for the design of the total health spa and hotel complex commented: "Due to the mixed use of the building, a hotel next door and offices above, we had severe acoustic and environmental constraints on construction of the leisure centre".

"Traditionally we would have had to install a ventilation void, a vapour barrier and then the ceiling, which would have required 5-6 different products, with half a dozen trades tripping over each other to put them in".

"The StoSilent A -Tec system was perfect because it addressed all the issues with just one installation".

"The finish was excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to use the system again." Other Sto products were specified for the project.

To achieve a robust, low maintenance finish for the walls surrounding the pool, StoDecor Flex, a special crack resistant interior plaster was used.

This was reinforced to withstand high traffic with StoDecolit interior coating, which has a decorative stippled effect.

Lastly, StoLatex 4000 hardwearing interior paint was used to provide a water resistant finish to the walls.

The Sto Decor Flex system and StoLatex 4000 are available in 800 colours of the StoColor range.

For a clean and classic appearance the swimming pool area at Laguna Health and Spa has been finished in a brilliant white.

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