November Refurb and Retrofit Magazine

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation
Rockwool helps One Vision Housing bring
energy efficiency and improved living
conditions within ‘reech’
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.
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
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
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
“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.”
- Ian Brooks, One Vision Housing
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 environmentallyfriendly
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
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.
www.rockwool.co.uk
30 Refurb retrofit
magazine
Nov 2016 R2