Residents of a
prestigious new home created in a former WWII RAF control tower will enjoy a
warm and comfortable environment, thanks to the use of external wall insulation
from Sto.
Restoration of the
historic building in Scotland has included the
installation of StoTherm Classic insulation and a StoSilco external render, and
this has transformed the control tower into the impressive centrepiece of a
contemporary new residential development.
The Category C listed tower stands on the site of the former RAF Findo Gask airfield at
Clathymore, near Perth, which was used as a training base for Polish pilots
during the war. After a long period of disuse the tower has now been converted
into a dramatic new four-storey home by Stephen Country Homes of Perth,
who commented that this was a very unusual project and one that demanded the
very highest standard of materials and finishes.
Using the existing cellular concrete structure
meant that the external insulation and render which were used had to be able to
accommodate some small degree of movement. Stephen Country Homes found that the StoTherm Classic insulation could
achieve this, and could also be applied without the need for any visible
movement joints. This allowed the contractor to achieve a high degree of
thermal insulation and still create a smooth, uniform external finish with the
StoSilco external render, which was applied on top.
“We worked very
closely with both Sto and Stephen Country Homes to create the most effective
solution for this project,” adds Steve Avery of external façade specialists AFS
who installed the Sto products. “Together we completed numerous on-site tests
on the existing substrate before choosing the Sto-Rotofix Plus as the most
effective fixing method for the insulation. We knew that this would provide the
sort of reliability and secure installation that would be needed to withstand
the site’s slightly exposed location and high wind loadings.”
The cement-free EPS
boards of the StoTherm Classic insulation system are ideal for refurbishment
projects such as this, as they allow a high degree of insulation to be created
for an existing structure without reducing the interior space. The unique Sto-Rotofix
Plus fixing system allowed the boards to be installed, and then adjusted and
levelled to create a smooth and even exterior surface.
This was then finished with StoSilco façade render to
provide excellent water repellence and resistance to weather. The silicone
resin-based finish is ideal for exposed locations and aggressive atmospheres
and it also offers great resistance to the growth of algae and fungus, thus
enabling the finished surface to maintain its original appearance. For this
project, Stephen Country Homes were able to choose from the 764 colour options
available in the StoSilco Render range and create exactly the high-quality
final appearance they required.
The completed new home will include a roof
terrace and a first floor ‘glass room’ extension that provides views across the
surrounding Perthshire countryside.
