After acquiring approximately 50 properties, Cottsway Housing decided to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings, to help reduce their tenant’s energy bills.
However, with five of the properties constructed with solid walls, Cottsway Housing had to find an alternative insulation solution. With impressive U-values and an easy installation with minimum disruption to homeowners, Knauf Insulation’s high performing ThermoShell EWI (External Wall Insulation) system was installed to the homes.
Timothy Russell, Surveyor at Cottsway Housing, commented: “With the new properties added to our portfolio, we wanted to improve the U-values of the buildings to bring them up to Building Regulation standards and our own high standards.
“As five of the houses were constructed with solid walls (without a cavity to retro-fill), our choice was between insulating the properties on the external or internal side of the wall. Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell system offers both Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) and External Wall Insulation (EWI) options. However, for this particular project we decided that the EWI system better suited the design brief.”
The ThermoShell EWI system is a cost effective solid wall insulation solution, designed for the lifetime of a property. The system protects the existing exterior façade, whether brick, stonework, concrete or clay blockwork, from the effects of weathering – extending the longevity of the building but also providing the opportunity to enhance and upgrade the appearance of the building.
Timothy continued: “Knauf Insulation has an impressive reputation within the industry and with a wide range of insulation solutions for all different applications, as well as expert technical advice from their representatives and technical team we thought it would make sense to use their system on this project.”
The ThermoShell EWI system can incorporate either a rock mineral wool (RMW) like this project, or an expanded polystyrene slab (EPS). The ThermoShell rock mineral wool slab is a high strength compression resistant slab with a water repellent additive specifically designed for use in External Wall Insulation systems. It offers solid support to the EWI system render and provides an excellent acoustic and thermal performance.
Timothy continued: “The properties had an existing U-value of 1.98W/m2K, however after the installation of the ThermoShell EWI system the U-value improved significantly to 0.29W/m2K – which proves how impressive this system from Knauf Insulation actually is.
“The system was installed by Knauf Insulation accredited installers, who attended Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell training academy in Birmingham for comprehensive training and was installed easily and quickly. Throughout the project, the tenants coped well with the work occurring to the outside of their homes and have now even commented on how warm and comfortable their homes are since the installation.”
Mr Wickson, a tenant of one of the upgraded homes, concluded: “I am very happy with the installation of Knauf Insulation’s External Wall Insulation system; it has enhanced the appearance of the property and has made my home much warmer. Although I haven’t received any heating bills since the installation, I am positive that there will be a reduction in cost as the property is now a lot easier to heat and I don’t have to have the heating on as much.”