The new Zaha Hadid-designed museum in Glasgow is using Knauf Insulation’s FactoryClad 32 flexible insulation to meet demanding U-values on a complex 18,000 square metre roof.
The Riverside Museum, which will open to the public in 2011, will create an iconic transport museum on the banks of the River Clyde. The building is designed as a winding tunnel-like structure with a complicated geometry roof that changes its profile over the length of the building to create a three-dimensional wave form.
The brief for design and build roofing specialist Varla (UK) Ltd was to find a flexible insulation that could meet the demanding U-value of 0.20 W/m2K that was continuous over the roof and walls.
Clare Huber of Varla says that she started the search for a suitable material by contacting many insulation suppliers and holding supplier seminars at Varla’s Chester offices.
“The purpose of these seminars was to outline the project as, being such a unique building, I felt it necessary to provide potential suppliers with as much information as possible. The suppliers were then sent away with all the project details and challenged to come back to me with what products they could provide to help us meet this demanding specification.”
She says that rigid foam boards were ruled out early on, as they could not be fitted to the building’s complex curves. There was also a limited cladding zone that could not be altered. Many types of insulation were considered, but glass wool roll provided the best thermal efficiency.
The key to Knauf Insulation winning the business was its ability to provide in depth technical support, including complex three-dimensional heat flow modelling calculations. This allowed Knauf Insulation to produce a solution that met all of Varla’s insulation requirements by using a double layer of 100mm FactoryClad 32 roll. This is a flexible, lightweight roll of resilient glass mineral wool with exceptionally high tear strength and a thermal conductivity of just 0.032 W/mK.
In addition, FactoryClad Roll is manufactured from glass mineral wool, which is ideal for limiting the spread of fire -since it holds a Euroclass classification A1, for non-combustibility and will not burn. Nor will it give off toxic smoke or suddenly ignite in a fire due to ‘flashover’. For public buildings such as this, superior fire performance is crucial.
As Clare explains: “With this challenging build the only way we could get a truly accurate U-value was to create a three-dimensional model. Knauf Insulation was the only manufacturer that could offer us a three-dimensional calculation service”.
She says that once Varla had decided on Knauf Insulation, it leaned on them heavily for technical support.
“As this is such a difficult specification we became a very demanding customer, requesting different calculations for all our options. Each time we were met with a quick and efficient response – their technical performance was second to none.”
Categories: Green House · Polystyrene Insulation · Thermal Insulation · climate change · efficient energy saving · energy efficiency · home energy · insulation · insulation installation · loft insulation · nautral insulation · saving energy · zero carbon homes
Tagged: Flexible Insulation, insulation, insulation installation, Thermal Insulation, Types of Insulation
The government must introduce radical measures to prevent the effects of climate change, according to a campaigning group that pushes for action to prevent climate change destabilisation.
Abi Edgar, spokesperson for Campaign against Climate Change, speaking at 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action, said the government must commit to eco-friendly measures to cut down on the UK’s carbon footprint.
These should include banning domestic flights and stopping the use of agrofuel, she added.
One measure that the government has taken to decrease the UK’s carbon footprint is encouraging householders to install insulation.
For example, the government is offering free cavity wall insulation to pensioners.
These measures could have a significant impact on the UK’s eco-credentials.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a total of four million tonnes of CO2 would be saved if everyone in the UK who could installed cavity wall insulation.
Ms Edgar added: “If we show that there’s political support from the people for these sorts of measures, it will make the difficult decisions that politicians have to make that much easier. We need to make it easy for them to make those decisions, because it’s what we want and we have to show them [that].”
Knauf Insulation – Impartial advice on Glass mineral insulation, Rock mineral wool, Polyfoam and Floor foam in residential insulation and non-residential insulation applications.
Categories: Polystyrene Insulation · Thermal Insulation · cavity wall · cavity wall insulation · climate change · efficient energy saving · energy efficiency · insulation · insulation installation · nautral insulation · roof insulation
Tagged: cavity wall insulation, Floor Foam, Glasswool insulation, insulation, Polyfoam, Rock Wool Insulation
XPS is an extruded polystyrene insulation manufactured through a plastic extrusion process. The resulting board is a real Site SurvivorTM almost 100% closed cell, strong, highly moisture resistant and easy to cut and shape. This makes them ideal for applications in the construction industry as they are equipped for ’site survival’ and can be cut to shapes that make them extremely fit for use. It also means that Polyfoam is ideal for a vast range of fabrication applications where the strength of the material as an infill in panels etc. is widely recognised and valued.
In short
Polyfoam is two solutions in one……both a thermal AND structural insulation solution.
Key Features and Benefits of Polyfoam extruded polystyrene
Polyfoam is more than a simple lightweight insulant. The inherent mechanical strength of the range means that a building element or fabricated item using Polyfoam can withstand a wide range of loading situations. Whether subjected to standard domestic loads or heavy industrial loads, in floors, roofs or in panels, Polyfoam is the ideal solution.
Water Resistant
Many insulants will get wet in use or during installation. Polyfoam is almost 100% closed cell and as such is unaffected by moisture. Whether laying Polyfoam in a floor (where there is often some standing water) or in a protected membrane roof system (where the insulation is exposed to water) the user can be confident Polyfoam will perform as stated.
Versatile
The closed cell structure and density of Polyfoam allow specific edge details and surface finishes to be cut into the boards to make them as fit for the job as possible. Moreover, Polyfoam can be cut into almost any shape using hot wires, saws or
CNC technology to make it a highly versatile insulating and strengthening infill for any construction. Whether using it in building or as a specialist fabrication infill Polyfoam is a highly versatile solution.
Lightweight
Despite the strength of Polyfoam it is very light and an easy to handle solution. Whether this is as a simply installed building product or as a low load (yet high strength) fabrication solution Polyfoam is a user friendly choice.
Ozone Friendly
As well as being an insulation solution and thus an environmentally sound choice, all Polyfoam products are 100% ozone friendly.
Recyclable
Polyfoam is a polystyrene foam insulant and as such is 100% recyclable. As the material does not degrade it can be either recycled or re-used when the application requiring Polyfoam no longer requires the product. Whether for long term application in buildings or recyclable materials, Polyfoam is a sound environmental choice.
Categories: Polystyrene Insulation · energy efficiency · home energy · insulation · insulation installation · nautral insulation · roof insulation · saving energy
Tagged: DIY Polystyrene Insulation, Install Polystyrene Insulation, insulation, insulation installation guide, Polyfoam Insulation, Polystyrene Insulation, XPS
The best way to reduce the environmental impact of your home is by installing insulation, according to a curator at the Eco Home Exhibition.
The exhibition looks at the ways in which the ways people use their homes effect ecology and the state of the planet.
Alex Goddard, curator at the Eco Home Exhibition, said insulation is “by far the most effective way” of making a home more eco-friendly.
He added that many people will not be able to do lots of work on their home but those that are considering it should think about prioritising insulation and rainwater collection on the roof.
“[Also] insulation on the walls, ceilings and by double or triple glazing,” Mr Goddard continued.
“It has to be well fitted because if it is draughty around the edges then that’s no good,”.
As well as making homes more eco-friendly, insulation can help householders to save money on their energy bills.
According to government statistics, installing eco-friendly measures such as insulation and energy saving light bulbs can help householders to save as much as £300 on their energy bills every year.
Knauf Insulation – Impartial advice on Glass mineral insulation, Rock mineral wool, Polyfoam and Floor foam in residential insulation and non-residential insulation applications.
Categories: Green House · Polystyrene Insulation · insulation · insulation installation · loft insulation · nautral insulation · roof insulation · saving energy · video
Tagged: energy saving, Floor Foam, Glass mineral Insulation, How Loft Insulation, insulation, insulation guide, insulation installation guide, loft insulation, loft insulation installation, Polyfoam
A free insulation scheme has helped a local authority to cut its annual carbon emissions by 28,000 tonnes, according to a report.
In 2007, Kirklees council launched its three-year Warm Zone initiative, to offer householders across the area free insulation, according to the Times.
Since it was launched, insulation work has been carried out in 32,000 private homes.
This has helped householders to save an average of £200 each year on their energy bills, a cumulative saving of £6.5 million.
Over 100 jobs for professionals such as insulation fitters have been created since the project’s launch.
Labour leader Mehboob Khan told the publication: “Our residents couldn’t believe the council was going to give them free insulation.
“They thought it must be a con trick, but 105,000 homes have now signed up to the scheme.”
If all homes suitable for cavity wall insulation in the UK had it installed, a total of four million tonnes of carbon dioxide and £690 million would be saved every year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Knauf Insulation – Impartial advice on Glass mineral insulation, Rock mineral wool, Polyfoam and Floor foam in residential insulation and non-residential insulation applications.
Categories: CO2 Emissions · Carbon Emissions · Thermal Insulation · cavity wall · cavity wall insulation · insulation · insulation installation · loft insulation · nautral insulation · roof insulation · saving energy
Tagged: Carbon Emissions, cavity wall insulation, Floor Foam, insulation, insulation installation, loft insulation, Mineral Wool Insulation, Rock Wool Insulation, Thermal Insulation
news source: www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Insulation that gives you the feel good factor
Knauf Insulation’s new glass and rock mineral wool products made with ECOSE® Technology don’t look or feel like any insulation you’ve ever experienced, that’s because the natural brown colour represents a level of sustainability and handling never before achieved. The brown colour and ’super soft’ feel comes from ECOSE® Technology, a revolutionary sustainable binder which does not contain the oil based chemicals commonly used in other insulation.
We didn’t choose the colour, it just came naturally.
Combined with the brown colour and new ’super soft’ feel, is the same reliable thermal and acoustic performance you have come to expect from glasswool, which results in the next generation of energy saving insulation. Knauf Insulation products with ECOSE® Technology are as good as traditional mineral wool insulation - only better… naturally!
With the trend towards environmentally responsible and ‘formaldehyde free’ specifications (e.g. London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Product Sourcing Guide), Knauf Insulation products with ECOSE® Technology build on the already exceptional environmental credentials of glasswool. Made using sand and recycled glass bottles combined with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s new glasswool does not contain artificial colours or added formaldehyde, resulting in environmental credentials above our already A+ rated products in the Green Guide, and also in full compliance with ‘formaldehyde free’ specifications.
We’re so confident that our new insulation is clearly better that we’ve decided to put it in transparent packaging so
you can see for yourself that is the natural choice for specifiers and installers
Categories: Green House · Polystyrene Insulation · Thermal Insulation · home energy · insulation · insulation installation · nautral insulation · roof insulation · saving energy
Tagged: Acoustical Insulation, insulation, Knauf Insulation, Mineral Wool Insulation, Rock Wool Insulation, Thermal Insulation
News Source : www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Knauf Insulation mineral wool made with ECOSE® Technology offers superior handling..
- Softer feel
- Less dusty
- Odourless
- Easy to cut
Superior level of Sustainability
The natural brown colour represents a level of sustainability and handling never achieved:
- Manufactured from naturally occurring and/or recycled raw materials, and bonded using a bio-based technology free from formaldehyde, phenols, acrylics and with no artificial colours, bleach or dyes added
- Contributes to improved indoor air quality compared to conventional mineral wool
- Reduces impact on environment through lower embodied energy
- Reduces pollutant manufacturing emissions and workplace exposures
- Improving the overall sustainability of buildings in which they are incorporated
- Cost competitive with our traditional mineral wool
Delivers all the benefits you are used to from our traditional mineral wool
Thermal insulation properties, fire resistance, fire classification, acoustical insulation, sound absorption and mechanical properties as well as recycle content are maintained, with improved product durability.
Categories: insulation · insulation installation · loft insulation · nautral insulation · roof insulation · saving energy
Tagged: Acoustical Insulation, insulation, Knaufinsulation, Thermal Insulation
News Source : http://www.Knaufinsulation.co.uk
Householders can do a lot of damage by taking on DIY tasks they are not up to, according to a magazine that offers self-build information.
Duncan Hayes, temporary editor at Build It, said it is important that people know their limitations before they embark on a job.
He explained that seemingly simple jobs such as replacing a radiator valve can go wrong if you do not have the appropriate plumbing tools, causing a lot of mess and damage.
One job for which amateurs may want to get a professional in for is installing under-floor heating.
It involves a quick and easy installation and is health and safety effective, with no wet surfaces over which constructors may slip.
Mr Hayes noted that money can be saved by taking on DIY jobs: “On a domestic level you can save an awful lot of money doing it yourself, but you can also do a lot of damage. If you are putting up a pair of shelves, then fine, most people can do that, but you automatically need a drill.
“If you are then having to spend £50 on buying a drill and an internet guide on how to drill a wall, then you are already outlaying money.”
Knauf Insulation – Impartial advice on Glass mineral insulation, Rock mineral wool, Polyfoam and Floor foam in residential insulation and non-residential insulation applications.
Categories: house protection · insulation · insulation installation
Tagged: DIY, Do it yourself, insulation, insulation installation
News Source : http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Householders should be offered loans of up to £6,500 to install insulation and other eco-friendly measures, according to the Conservative spokesperson for energy and climate change.
Greg Clark made the proposal at the Conservative Party’s annual conference in Manchester.
He said the loans could be paid back via electricity bills, with £1,500 of improvements estimated to cost householders £10 a month to repay, saving the average household £240 on their energy bills.
Mr Clark also proposed retailers such as Marks and Spencer could compete to offer the service, driving down the cost to householders.
“We would offer every household in this country a green deal. We would allow them immediately to invest in energy saving technologies in their homes, the cost being repaid over time through the substantial savings that result in people’s energy bills,” Mr Clark stated at the conference, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Knauf Insulation – Impartial advice on Glass mineral insulation, Rock mineral wool, Polyfoam and Floor foam in residential insulation and non-residential insulation applications.
Categories: cavity wall · cavity wall insulation · insulation · insulation installation · loft insulation · nautral insulation · saving energy
Tagged: cavity wall insulation, home insulation, insulation, loft insulation, Thermal Insulation
News Source : Metro
Did you know there are huge pots of grant money you can potentially claim to have your home insulated – regardless of your income?
What’s more, by claiming a grant that can reduce the cost of home insulation by up to 60%, you can slash the carbon emissions of your home and save yourself 100s of pounds on your energy bills too.
The government has committed to cut CO2 emissions by a third in the next decade and has tasked the energy companies to help by subsidising the cost of home insulation – a properly insulated home will cut its emissions and therefore its fuel bills by more than a fifth.
To arrange a free, no obligation survey and find if you can claim an insulation grant regardless of income click here
While it may be hard to get excited about insulation, fitting it into your loft or having the cavity walls of your home insulated are the lowest-cost, highest value forms of saving energy.
Around 20% of heat is lost through a loft that is not properly insulated, while most houses built since the 1920s have a cavity in their walls – having that gap filled can further reduce your energy bills by up to 35% per year. That means you could have potential savings of up to 55% by having both cavity wall and loft insulation fitted.
As long as your house can be insulated, anyone can claim a grant to help pay the cost of both loft and cavity wall insulation. Depending on the size of your house, the cost to you will be from £149 – £199 for each type of insulation fitted, with the rest of the bill being grant aided. Even better, your outlay will pay itself off in less than a year thanks to the savings you will make on your heating bills.
A surveyor can visit your home for a free, no-obligation survey to see if it can be insulated.
If it can, they will claim the grant for you, arrange for the work to be carried out and give you a 25 year independent guarantee on the work and materials.
Insulate your home
• Cut your carbon emissions by one fifth
• Slash your energy bills
• Recover the cost of insulation in less than a year thanks to reduced heating bills
• No paperwork to fill in – the grant is claimed for you
• 25 year guarantee
• Accredited trades people
• Loft insulation from £149
• Cavity wall insulation from £149
Categories: Carbon Emissions · cavity wall · cavity wall insulation · insulation · insulation installation · loft insulation · nautral insulation
Tagged: Carbon Emissions, cavity wall insulation, Free cavity wall insulation, How insulation works, how to Loft Insulation, loft insulation, loft insulation installation
