A portfolio of Sto products has been used to provide outstanding thermal performance for a prestigious new hotel in Ireland.
The company’s StoTherm Mineral M system, Sto-Rotofix mechanical fixings, Stolit render and StoColor Dryonic X-Black façade paint have all been used on the impressive new Dean Hotel which has been built in Galway.
“This was a complex project and we worked very closely with the architect to develop the ideal insulation solution for the hotel,” explains Sto Account Manager Gareth Hastings. “Dean Hotels each have a very unique appearance, and Dublin-based Architects, Lawrence and Long wanted to continue that approach and create a striking chessboard-influenced design which included various changes of planes and surfaces.
"Our StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system was ideal for this, especially when combined with our StoColor Dryonic X-Black façade paint which allowed them to use a very dark coloured render. This wouldn’t have been possible with many other insulation and render combinations.”
The StoTherm Mineral M system is based on durable mineral-fibre insulation boards which combine excellent thermal performance with unrivalled fire protection and a high degree of sound insulation. They can also be installed without the need for additional expansion joints, which greatly enhanced the hotel’s chessboard design.
The insulation boards were installed onto both the lightweight steel frame and cement particle board substrates that were used in the construction of the hotel. The installation was completed using Sto’s unique Sto-Rotofix mechanical fixings to create a drained cavity, and a façade finish that could withstand the high wind loadings imposed by the hotel’s coastal location. These fixings enable the insulation boards to be adjusted after installation to accommodate any surface irregularities, and this contributed greatly to the smooth and uninterrupted external surfaces which were essential to the hotel’s design.
The project was completed with the addition of Stolit K1.5 render, which offers extremely low water absorption, plus a high elasticity characteristic that ensures exceptional resistance to mechanical movement. The surface was then coated with StoColor Dryonic X-Black – a specialist façade paint, with a micro-textured surface that encourages any moisture that falls onto the façade to run off rapidly. This prevents the growth of the micro-organisms that cause unsightly stains by ensuring that the façade dries quickly. The paint also incorporates Sto’s innovative X-Black technology which uses special near-infrared black pigments to reflect much of the solar energy in the near-infrared spectrum. This prevents the build-up of the solar heat which might otherwise cause cracking of the render below, and permits the use of the dark-coloured render which was an essential element of this Dean Hotel design.
Located right in the heart of Galway, the new building now offers luxurious bespoke rooms that reflect the individual style and innovative design approach that is characteristic of all Dean Hotels.
