Specialist care sector development group, Castleoak, has completed the UK??s first Passivhaus (PH) care home and airtightness solutions from Glidevale have played a key role in the construction. The care home is the largest building to date to achieve PH standard. Passivhaus buildings aim to provide high levels of occupant comfort with minimum energy usage.
The 60-bedroomed Juniper House in Brackley, Northamptonshire, developed by Castleoak on behalf of Barchester Healthcare, is predicted to produce half the CO2 emissions and reduce energy costs by 40 percent against similar timber frame structures. The standard was achieved for just a six per cent uplift in design and build costs, which should be recouped by energy cost savings in just eight years.
The Passivhaus standard focuses on a ??fabric first?? approach, demanding excellent thermal performance and exceptional airtightness from the building envelope. Castleoak worked very closely with leading building membrane supplier Glidevale to achieve this standard. A target airtightness value of 0.58 m3/hr/m2 and U values of 0.11kW/m2K (roof) and 0.12 kW/m2K (wall/floors) were met using Glidevale BuildtightTM Range of membranes, tapes and accessories as part of the materials package.
Glidevale??s Craig Fyall comments: ?Best practice for air leakage is 3m3/hr/m2 so to achieve 0.58 m3/hr/m2 demonstrates how effective the partnership was with Castleoak both at design stage and during on site application. As a company we are able to offer excellent technical guidance and support to complement the superior performance of Glidevale Protect membranes.
“The combination of Glidevale Protect TF200 Thermo reflective breather membrane, Protect VC Foil Ultra reflective vapour control layer, Protect FCM750 floor cassette membrane, Protect BarriAir air barrier and a selection of Protect sealing tapes ensures any heat escaping through walls, floors, ceilings and roofs is minimised whilst any excess internal moisture is removed from the building.”
Castleoak Innovation Director Colwyn Knight comments: ?Buildability and careful selection of materials, fixtures and systems were key to keeping costs down whilst aiming for the highest environmental standard. Our approach was to balance pioneering and practical, ensuring the building will not only meet the strict Passivhaus standard, but also the requirement Barchester specifies for its care homes. Fortunately, both have the health and comfort of residents at the top of their list.??
BuildTight complements the comprehensive Protect range of high performance roofing underlays and construction membranes, including the latest in reflective technology. The company – part of the Building Product Design Group – additionally supplies roofing and roof ventilation products aimed at providing innovative and practical solutions to changing market requirements.
For more information telephone 0161 905 5700, email info@glidevale.com or visit www.glidevale.com
