Ibstock’s innovative external wall insulation system, BrickShield, along with its technical expertise, has been used to transform three tower blocks in Chester, greatly improving the heat retention and aesthetics of the 1960s buildings.
Based in Chester’s Blacon District, the tower blocks have undergone major refurbishment works as part of a regeneration project in the area. To minimise disruption to its tenants, whilst ensuring the installation of a high-performing external wall insulation to improve the buildings’ thermal credentials, as well as its appearance, Chester and District Housing Association specified Ibstock’s BrickShield solution.
With funding from British Gas, as well as technical and design support from Ibstock throughout the refurbishment project, the housing association fitted the BrickShield solution to the bottom two storeys of each building to help meet target U-values, a measure of heat loss in buildings. As a result of the upgrade to the original concrete walls using BrickShield, the buildings’ U-values have greatly improved from 2.4 to 0.35W/m2K, providing daily benefits and energy cost savings for residents.
Brick was used on the lower levels because of its superior high impact resistance to render systems. What’s more, the durability and real brick finish of the system has greatly improved the buildings’ aesthetics, bringing them in line with the surrounding residential vernacular.
The collaborative approach to the refurbishment work enabled Ibstock to provide in-depth technical insight throughout the project, which included delivering ‘toolbox talks’ to the installers involved, emphasising the principles of bricklaying and the techniques associated with brick cladding.
Andrew Halstead-Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Ibstock, comments: “The 1960s tower block is a prominent feature in the UK’s housing history, with work increasingly being done to improve and preserve them.
"Due to the scale of work usually involved in refurbishments of this kind, we recognise the importance of providing cost effective and easy to install, yet quality solutions. This is something we’ve been able to provide in this instance through BrickShield. We’re delighted to have supported Chester and District Housing Association on their successful, energy saving renovation project.”
BrickShield was the first external wall insulation system to achieve BBA approval and has a history of many successfully completed projects across the UK. It is manufactured by Ibstock Brick in partnership with Rockwool, leaders in stone wool insulation.
