ROCKWOOL BrickShield and REDArt Silicone external wall insulation systems have been installed as part of major Merseyside refurbishment scheme for One Vision Housing to help transform existing social housing into energy efficient homes.
Funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Renewables and Energy Efficiency in Community Housing (REECH) initiative, the Hornby Flats Estate development in Litherland has resulted in a greatly improved living environment with the funding directly linked to the health and welfare of the tenants.
The Hornby Flats Estate is a low rise development, which features eight, three storey buildings in a garden setting. The original design and construction of the flats has caused substantial issues with cold bridging. These buildings date back to circa 1950, with some tenants having remained in occupation since their initial development. As part of the REECH programme, One Vision Housing invested £2.4 million to provide a range of energy efficient benefits, extend the life of the 96 flats and improve living conditions for residents.
One Vision Housing worked in partnership with Seddon Construction, Cost Consultants WYG, architectural practice Halsall Lloyd Partnership (HLP), REECH, Trowers and ROCKWOOL to deliver this high-quality scheme against the tight timescale required by the funding. The project involved a significant upgrade to the building fabric for design, aesthetics and technical performance. Completed in September 2015, this involved intensive, envelope refurbishment, featuring ROCKWOOL external wall insulation.
Lead architects, HLP, worked closely with One Vision Housing to meet their demand that real brickwork would still be visible to stay in keeping with the surrounding traditional brick Victorian terraces. HLP devised a design solution based on over-cladding the flats with external wall insulation that combined thermally robust detailing with contemporary classical architecture. ROCKWOOL’s BrickShield system, the first BBA approved, insulated, external wall cladding system with a genuine brick finish, in combination with the ROCKWOOL REDArt Silicone render system has provided the perfect solution.
Developed in a partnership between Ibstock and ROCKWOOL, the BrickShield system, consists of a unique ROCKWOOL insulation board that is bonded to the exterior face of the wall with BrickShield Adhesive. It is then mechanically fixed with thermally broken BrickShield Insulating Wall Anchors. BrickShield Natural Clay Brick Slips from Ibstock are then site-bonded to the insulation with BrickShield® Adhesive and joints pointed with BrickShield BrickPoint for a traditional brick appearance finish.
The BrickShield system has significantly improved the insulation performance at Hornby Flats as a result. It meets the longevity and aesthetic appearance requirements of the brief. Using stone wool insulation, manufactured with alternative grains to achieve the correct adhesion surfaces, has also given an environmentally-friendly product solution. The Brick Slip finish of “old cutt rustic” was chosen for its colour fit as well as its ability to weather naturally over time. The system was easy to work with and is fire resistant both in bulk storage and when installed.
The REDArt Silicone external wall insulation system was used at Hornby Flats together with ROCKWOOL FS Mortar 2 base coat and a top coat of REDArt™ render applied in a cream coloured, silicone finish to complete the project. This has provided Hornby Flats with outstanding thermal and weather protection plus an attractive exterior appearance.
“With a project of this size and stature, we wanted the insulation to deliver the required performance and finish. ROCKWOOL was able to supply a system that satisfied both criteria,” says Ian Brooks at One Vision Housing. “The ROCKWOOL solution was thermally efficient, easy to work with and fire resistant which proved to be an important consideration, given the occupants remained in occupation as we worked on the project. It’s also provided an attractive looking finish that fits with the area and helps the tenants feel better about their living environment.”
ROCKWOOL Technical Support was on hand throughout the project to provide guidance and advice, checking work and regularly training staff to ensure the REDArt external wall insulation was applied correctly, both from a technical and aesthetic perspective.
