Using PIR insulation in new home developments to minimise heating needs

Products Used:	Celotex CW4000
Sector:	Housing

Building its new development, The Shires in Yeovil, Midas Homes looked to provide superb energy efficiency as part of its commitment to environmental management. Having proved so popular on a number of its other developments, Midas Homes specified 3,500 square metres of high performance Celotex CW4000 for use in the development's cavity walls.

Situated on the outskirts of Yeovil with easy access to an array of schools, shops and leisure activities, The Shires comprises 33 homes, split between larger four bedroom properties and two bedroom coach houses. The construction was completed by Midas Homes' own construction unit. Part of Galliford Try Homes, the company specialises in building and selling its own developments.

Polyisocyanurate (PIR) boards outperform many other materials per mm of thickness, making Celotex CW4000 ideal for minimising cavity thickness whilst ensuring that the new homes had effective thermal envelopes - keeping the cold out and the warmth in.

Celotex CW4000 boards are an established and proven means of minimising heating needs, thereby reducing the UK's carbon footprint, 60% of which is a direct result of the built environment. The first PIR insulation is a tested and highly reliable means of reducing heating costs and ensuring energy efficiency in line with the construction industry's move towards sustainability.

The boards were easily installed in the masonry wall cavities of the houses at The Shires development. Though hard wearing, Celotex is exceptionally lightweight and can be easily cut to requirements on site with a saw. Held in place with wall ties and clips, the low emissivity of the boards and their dimensional stability ensure that they will provide long lasting insulation.

The high specification homes of The Shires were finished with a range of contemporary kitchenware and stylish bathroom fittings. Ideal for young professional families, the successful development is the result of carefully considered design and specification. Though hidden, this care also applies to the use of Celotex in the cavity wall spaces - which will play a key role in lowering the energy usage of the development, saving money and protecting the environment long into the future.

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Key considerations

When using Celotex products, you need to satisfy yourself that use of the product meets all relevant national Building Regulations and guidance as well as local, national and other applicable standards relevant for your construction or application, including requirements in relation to fire and applicable height restrictions. In addition to the product datasheet, please refer to the following product documents:

• BBA certificates - where applicable to the application
• Declarations of Performance
• Health and safety datasheets

Celotex products should not be used in the external walls of buildings over 11 metres in height. Recent changes to Building Regulations mean that only non-combustible insulation or insulation of limited combustibility should be used in buildings of that height.

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