walls

Fire safety in residential construction is no longer a single line item in a specification—it sits alongside acoustic performance, thermal efficiency and buildability as part of a wider design conversation. As housing projects become more complex and regulations more demanding, specifiers are increasingly looking for materials that do more than satisfy a single requirement.

“Did I make a mistake? Did I mess up this old building?”

These are the questions architect Níall Hedderman posed on his Youtube channel, Real Life Architecture, about an internal wall insulation specification for one of his projects. His search for answers led him on a journey through retrofit best practice to learning more about an insulation material that he describes as “supernatural” in terms of its performance properties.

It led to Níall and Proctor Group working together to explain how aerogel insulation can help to improve the energy efficiency of traditional buildings without covering up historic features, or taking up too much internal space.

Burlington House is a prominent four-storey building located on Burlington Street, right in the heart of Chesterfield’s bustling city centre. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the building has long been a familiar feature of the town’s architectural landscape. However, like many mid-century commercial properties, it had begun to show signs of age and underutilisation, particularly on its upper floors. Recognising its potential, ALB Group acquired the property in 2020 with a vision to breathe new life into the building and contribute to the wider regeneration of Chesterfield.

This case study shows how Celotex XR4000 PIR insulation helped achieve part L thermal compliance on a six-home new build site in Westcott

EJOT’s range of innovative PVC profiles can play a key role in minimising the risk of cracks developing around window and door frames in rendered external wall insulation (EWI) systems, thus reducing one of the most commonly reported issues by property owners and tenants.
The fastening systems specialist has developed an extensive range of profiles and beads for EWI systems, also referred to as ETICS (external thermal insulation composite systems), which enable the creation of high quality facades with precise edges and optimum lifetime performance. 

In the world of construction and renovation, finding the right materials that combine aesthetics, durability, and cost-effectiveness is crucial. At Cladmate, we understand the importance of providing high-quality cladding solutions that meet these demands. Our innovative products are designed to transform any building, adding both beauty and resilience.

Since the Building Safety Act came into force in October 2023, the construction industry has seen significant changes across all levels, from the way buildings are designed and constructed, to the types of materials that are used, and even how they are installed.

As is well known, a critical aspect of this is the ability of a material to resist the spread of fire and yet still perform its primary function.  This is particularly important when considering the membranes that are used for sealing around windows and façades.