News Articles:
In My Humble Opinion - 19/05/2009 It sometimes seems a bit rich to bang on about low-energy buildings and greenhouse gas emissions when most of us drive to work in noisy, dirty, fossil-fuel-guzzling cars. | |
In My Humble Opinion - 08/05/2009 “Building teams must work together to ensure sustainability, says study commissioned by the Specialist Engineering Alliance and found building projects need an integrated project team to “design-in” sustainable solutions and “design-out” waste. | |
Letter to the Editor - 28/04/2009 A report by the Specialist Engineering Alliance finds that “Building teams must work together to ensure sustainability, | |
In My Humble Opinion - 25/03/2009 One of the saddest consequences of recession is the sudden abandonment of so many noble good intentions. Last month, the pursuit of sustainable construction methods suffered a setback when it emerged that Government funding under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was being cut off | |
In My Humble Opinion - 23/02/2009 Spring must be the consultation season. On my desk are no fewer than four bulging files, each one containing a Government proposal for improving energy efficiency and each currently out for consultation. | |
International Isover contest wins unprecedented support - 18/02/2009 This year’s international competition, sponsored by Saint-Gobain Isover, for students of architecture and engineering to design a building along passive house lines, attracted unprecedented interest when it was officially launched in the UK this month. | |
Isover system wins a third Robust Detail - 04/02/2009 An acoustic system that is currently capable of providing housebuilders with up to three credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes while significantly reducing their build costs has gained a third Robust Detail for Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
Isover insulation to wrap up Ecobuild - 02/02/2009 Newly available solutions from the UK’s leading insulation innovator Isover will feature on Saint-Gobain’s début stand (2365) at the world’s biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment, Ecobuild (March 3-5, Earls Court). | |
In My Humble Opinion - 20/01/2009 The political tension between Russia and neighbouring Ukraine might seem to have little impact upon the average UK householder. But when Russia turned off gas supplies into Ukraine during January’s cold snap, it wasn’t just the Ukrainians who felt the chill. | |
Isover launches CPD on sustainable compliance - 09/01/2009 Guidance on how glass mineral wool insulation contributes to Passive House design and can help to deliver up to 30 credits in the Code for Sustainable Homes is now available in a RIBA-approved CPD from Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
In My Humble Opinion - 18/12/2008 Which of the following is the odd one out? Aviation fuel duty, Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), Community Energy Savings Target (CEST) and the auction of Carbon Emissions Permits under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)? | |
Isover opens international competition - 17/12/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover is inviting submissions for its 2009 international architectural student competition which has prize money totalling €6,500 at stake. | |
Isover opens regional distribution centre - 11/12/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover has opened a regional distribution centre to further improve its service to customers. | |
Insulating against Passive House apathy - 09/12/2008 Players in the UK construction industry are becoming more familiar with European Passive House philosophy although they still require guidance about what it means and what their options are, in a plethora of sustainable, ecological and energy efficient solutions, to turn the concept into reality. | |
What's in store in 2009? - 28/11/2008 The construction industry in general may be continuing to downturn but the Government is sticking with its aim to have at least an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from existing housing stock by 2050. Such a focus on insulation is unprecedented and it is obvious builders stand to realise huge business benefits in 2009. | |
In My Humble Opinion - 21/11/2008 The close of 2008 saw the publication of two very important documents, the significance of which so far seems to have passed most people by, but both could have a huge and unprecedented impact on house owners and the housing stock over the coming years. | |
Isover data shows Passive House refurbishment can save 95% - 21/11/2008 Refurbishing buildings to Passive House standards can improve their energy performance by up to 95%, according to the UK’s insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
Isover insulation helps breathe new life into university - 20/11/2008 Glass mineral wool insulation from Saint-Gobain Isover has helped the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture realise a studio building that “seriously addresses sustainability in its construction | |
Isover launches ductwork CPD - 12/11/2008 Advice on how to protect ventilation ductwork against fire risk and specifying for the latest regulations is given in a new CPD from the technical division of UK insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover | |
Isover’s new three-credit Robust Detail saves housebuilders money 27/10/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover has gained a second Robust Detail for an acoustic system that is now capable of providing housebuilders with three credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes and at the same time significantly reducing their build costs. | |
Isover’s lightweight ducting makes its UK debut 20/10/2008 Climaver Plus R, a pre-insulated lightweight ducting system from Saint-Gobain Isover, has delivered significant cost savings on its first UK application - the installation of a new heating and ventilating system as part of a health centre refurbishment | |
Isover launches national network of HVAC Installers 09/10/2008 The first members of a national network of installers of a revolutionary ductwork system that replaces the traditional sheet metal and insulation approach with rigid insulation boards have been inducted by Saint-Gobain Isover. | |
Isover goes green in Wales 09/10/2008 Insulation from Saint-Gobain Isover was specified for its green credentials for the first timber frame school to be built for Powys County Council. | |
Building Products' Roundtable - 29/09/2008 Interview with Gerry Mitchell, Head of Innovation at Saint-Gobain Isover UK | |
Isover celebrates a 99% record - 26/09/2008 Insulation giant Saint-Gobain Isover is celebrating a 99% customer service record set over two months running by its haulier TM Logistics. | |
Brian Dolan, MD of Saint-Gobain Isover UK - A Personal Profile - 09/05/2008 Brian answers searching questions on his likes, dislikes and ambitions in an interview for Constructor Magazine |
Isover goes green in Wales
Insulation from Saint-Gobain Isover was specified for its green credentials for the first timber frame school to be built for Powys County Council.
The replacement community primary school on a greenfield site in Llanrhaeadr ym Mochant near Oswestry features Isover thermal batts in the external walls and vaulted roof as well as thermal batts in cold roof areas and acoustic insulation in the internal partition walls.
The £2.2 million project is also one of the first uses of Isover’s Vario climate membrane which was specifically developed for timber frame construction and has been employed in the roof and external walls.
The school’s distance from the nearest fire station also meant all the insulation had to feature increased fire performance and Isover insulation is totally non combustible, being rated to the highest possible European Euroclass A1.
Designed and erected by timber frame specialists Frame Wise and built by local contractor Paveaways, the school has achieved Building Regulations-busting levels of insulation and air tightness.
Powys County Council’s schools modernisation programme focuses on bringing all school buildings up to the Welsh Assembly’s fit-for-purpose standards by 2020 at an estimated cost of £150 million.
Llanrhaeadr School contains four classrooms in a single-storey building of 850m². Its design balances the need to provide a significant new gateway building without overpowering its site on the edge of the village.
Jim Swabey, central property team leader for the council’s property and design services directorate, briefed Frame Wise to provide a replacement school with integral provision for early years usage and an allowance for possible future extension of the hall.
“We had no special requirements other than recognising the increasing importance of the environmental agenda and its significance within the teaching environment,” he said.
“Isover products were specified in view of their environmental credentials and through discussion with the timber frame supplier and have been extremely beneficial in achieving a well-insulated and air tight building.”
Simon Orrells, managing director of Frame Wise, added: “We were asked to work with the council to develop the design and deliver a sustainable environmental school with a fresh feel to it. We also had to deliver a thermally efficient school which is where we brought in our insulation partner Isover.
“Air tightness was also a key requirement and we used Isover’s latest product, the Vario vapour barrier, which delivers zero air leakage but also breathes which is a big benefit. This was fitted on the inside of the timber frame, with a counter batten on top to form a service zone prior to plasterboard being fitted.”
Isover specification manager Andrew Macdonnell said: “The project had particular design requirements as laid down by the council’s design department, not least its rural location which required sustainable materials and a minimisation of waste and minimisation of energy on completion. It also required an increased fire performance because of its distance from the nearest fire services.
“The council wanted to see U values for walls, floors and roof achieve significant improvements over the current Building Regulations. We agreed on a range of insulation materials then the conversation turned to air leakage and future running costs. Good insulation needed to be combined with excellent air leakage performance.
“While the budget wasn’t endless, it was made clear money was available for sustainable, energy-saving products. The design considerations were very much about spending now to save later. Vario fitted this requirement. We left some samples/trial kits for product testing and once approved we agreed to help train the contractor how to install it correctly.”