Improving appearance and energy performance
30th September 2014

One of the North-west’s biggest registered social landlords is currently involved in a scheme to improve both the appearance and the energy performance of its high rise properties, where the façade contractor has switched to employing a system from illbruck to seal all of the window openings.

Rodney Street in Manchester is the latest location for one of Salix Homes’ HMOs to undergo a full exterior refurbishment, with HT Forrest being the main contractor responsible for the work; and locally based Astley Facades carrying out the installation of new rainscreen cladding, together with high performance PVC-U windows.

During an earlier contract in the area, Astley Facades was successful in switching the specification for the sealant system to illbuck’s ME501 Duo HD, in combination with SP525. This was with the full approval of the client and project consultant: saving on cost of installation while guaranteeing the weather performance of the new building envelope.

The Project Manager for Astley Facades, Michael Hall, confirmed: “These buildings date from the 1960s and were in need of major external refurbishment to bring them up to modern standards of performance – so after fitting additional insulation, we are overcladding them with a mix of Alucobond cladding and terracotta tiles.

“On the previous site – covering Platt, Worsley and Bickerbike towers – we were using a different EPDM when I came across the illbruck product which is lighter and better quality, as well as cheaper. This was checked and approved by our designers, MHA, and the client; so we are therefore now employing the Duo and the SP525 to seal around the windows and the window ‘pods’ as well as any flashings.”

illbruck’s highly versatile ME501Duo HD membrane is attached to the window frame and folded back against the front face of the reveal or other substrate, and is secured in place using SP525. The membrane is then covered by the insulation boards and the components of the rainscreen cladding.

As with all of illbruck’s construction sealants, Duo HD and SP525 comply with all relevant standards and are fully tested to ensure their suitability in use for a wide range of applications and ambient conditions.

www.tremco-illbruck.co.uk