January 2020

Insulation and Housing Targets
INSULATION’S ROLE IN TARGETS
Actis says speed, ease, cleanliness and thermal efficiency play a part in meeting UK
housing targets.
With the appointment last autumn of
Mark Farmer to the post of MMC
champion for the government, there is
optimism that Britain may get building seriously.
The author of the ground-breaking, governmentcommissioned
Farmer Review of the Construction
Labour Model, which called on the industry to
‘modernise or die’ back in 2016, says it’s time to
stop talking about change and actually put it into
action.
And this means, he says, fundamentally altering the
physical process of how we build, becoming more
productive and having more control of the process,
as well as reducing carbon in an industry which
relies on cement.
All this fighting talk has been welcomed by timber
framers everywhere – and by those involved in the
supply chain.
Among those supplying components to the off-site
manufacturers who will play a key role in helping
Mark Farmer achieve his aim is insulation specialist
Actis, a supplier to many timber frame companies
across the UK.
Its four CE marked products have LABC and LABSS
registered details and are NHBC, LABC warranty
and Premier Guarantee approved.
Honeycomb insulation, Hybris, insulating vapour
control later, HControl Hybrid and two variants of an
insulating breather membrane – Boost R Hybrid
and Boost R Hybrid Roof – are popular among
companies building in this way.
Reasons for their popularity include their ability to
eliminate thermal bridging and thus improve energy
efficiency, because they can be squeezed into
corners and create a thermal blanket with no air
gaps.
They can be installed quickly and easily – thus
reducing man hours and saving money.
They enable developers to gain extra saleable
square footage as the products are thin. And they
create no dust or mess – making working
conditions more pleasant and removing the need for
special clothing or masks.
Actis has produced a number of bite-sized
installation how to videos which look at how to
install the products in a variety of scenarios and
locations, which are handy for viewing while on site.
And an online U-value simulator enables installers
and specifiers to ensure they are choosing the right
product for the job to achieve the required thermal
efficiency.
While they are popular in new builds, extensions
and loft conversions, they also play their part in
improving the thermal efficiency of older buildings.
Case study: Water Tower conversion
An ‘upside down’ water tower conversion in
Warwickshire which was insulated with Actis
Hybris insulation and insulating breather
membrane Boost R Hybrid has won a renovation
award – and is now listed as a holiday let on
Airbnb. The tower was converted by Anton
Richards, a Nottinghamshire builder from WA
Richards Contractors Ltd, who has a morbid fear
of boring day-to-day extensions and a passion for
tackling projects no-one else will touch!
He said: “We normally use Actis. The client
wanted the insulation to be as good as possible –
so Actis fitted the bill. As a contractor, I much
prefer Actis to hideous fibreglass or PU, because
the dust and price are horrendous. Actis is a much
better product. It meets the U-value requirements
and it’s easy to use. Why wouldn’t I?”
Case study: Dundee developer
An environmentally conscious Dundee developer
which specialises in creating energy efficient,
value-for-money homes has continued to use
Actis Hybrid products after a pilot scheme a
number of years ago.
Grant White, director of timber frame specialist
Discovery Homes used Hybris and Boost R
Hybrid on a seven-villa trial development.
He said: “In previous developments we’ve used
a glass wool which is cheaper up front. But I
believe Actis Hybrid products are much better
and save money in the long run because they
are such good quality and are so quick and easy
to install that we save on labour costs. I also
really like the fact that there is very little
wastage and they’re such clean products to
use.”
An Actis Hybris insulated water tower won a renovation
award (Credit: Carrera Commercial Photography)
A Dundee developer switched from glass wool to Actis Hybrid
products because they are quick, clean and easy to install.
Contact Actis Insulation
01249 462 888
www.insulation-actis.com
@ACTISINSULATION
60 TC JANUARY 2020