First 60 year approval on ICF system in Europe

WBS and Amvic Ireland offer Europe's first 60 year Irish Agrement Board accreditation for an insulated concrete formwork system with a silicone thin-coat render finish.

Twenty years ago, the use of an insulated render system on commercial and residential buildings in the UK was almost non-existent.

This month sees an exciting new breakthrough in new build construction, with two companies forging a solid business partnership that allows them to offer Europe's first 60 year Irish Agrement Board accreditation for an insulated concrete formwork system with a silicone thin-coat render finish.

Having been widely used in the United States and on the continent for many years, the use of insulated concrete systems, especially in the new build sector, is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and especially Ireland due to it's amazing design flexibility, rapid speed of construction and amazingly low u-values that are achieved.

The WBS anti-crack silicone thin coat renders are available in a multitude of colours and textures and are hardwearing, weatherproof, U-V resistant and have a spread of flame rating equivalent to Class 0 on both faces.

The system incorporating a polymer base coat reinforced with fibreglass mesh is easy to apply and very cost effective Subject to minimal maintenance, when rendered using the specified WBS renders, buildings based on the Amvic ICF System will have a design life expectancy of at least 60 years.

Further testing for high rise applications and systems incorporating alternative finishes such as their unique brick slip cladding system are now being planned.

Managing Director Bob Deane said "Although there are other ICF systems on the market that have a 30 year BBA certification, these merely cover the structure of the system and take no account of the final render finish".

"Having the only European accreditation that has a design life expectancy of double the normal EOTA standard and which incorporates the final render finish is a very exciting prospect for us".

"We hope that this joint venture demonstrates our solid commitment towards developing insulated building systems for the future and more importantly that helps us to constantly exceed our customer's expectations of not only providing a building method that offers pleasing aesthetics but one that offers thermal integrity and longevity too".

For further information about WBS insulated render systems and facade coatings, contact WBS Technical Support on 08458 382380 or alternatively visit the website.

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