26.02.2021, 14:39
Mineral Insulating Materials Applied at Cardiff Schools
A trio of Welsh schools are benefiting from major ugrades to their wall insulation.
Ysgol Glan Morfa, Howardian Primary School and Ysgol Hamadryad in Cardiff have all reported a significant improvement in thermal performance following the application of a mineral external wall insulation system which was supplied by Sto UK.
The system included a layer of the company's mineral bonding agent reinforced with mortar to enhance adhesion and provide a durable, weather-resistant and vapour permeable base layer for a topcoat that combined the company's StoSilco K silicone resin render with a protective and decorative finish combining a high degree of water repellence and excellent water vapour permeability.
Good breathability which is a characteristic of the render makes substrates highly water repellant and resistant to dirt build-up (which, in turn, reduces growth of algae and fungae).
The installed system features mineral fibre insulation boards and combines fire protection and high thermal performance with excellent impact resistance, making it ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects. It was installed using Sto-Rotofix Plus, a unique and easily adjustable spiral fixing which can accommodate any unevenness in the substrate to create a perfectly smooth outer finish.
Nick Langley of Stride Treglown Architecture which was the specifier for the school projects, says: "We had originally considered a different solution which proved to be outside the budget,” “Sto were able to suggest an alternative which was less expensive but which had already been tried and tested on a previous school project in Swansea. The practice had used Sto products previously so we were happy to consider their suggestion."
"Using this system, we created a 20mm drained cavity between the insulation and substrate, thus optimizing the water management of the completed construction," adds Andrew Lloyd of M&P Contractors Wales Ltd, who oversaw the installation work. "This was the first time we had used this solution from Sto, and with the training and support we received, all the products provided an integrated and reliable insulation solution."
