A fast, reliable and non-disruptive method of repairing or creating lintels – particularly during window replacement programmes

With the continued pressure for more homes it is essential that the existing housing stock is both maintained and improved to meet current standards. As housing associations across the country continue to assume ownership of homes from local authorities they become responsible for their upkeep and repair. 

Chasing out the mortar joints between storeys on a tower block

As council houses and housing association properties continue to be upgraded, in addition to general maintenance and improvements to domestic facilities, many of the older properties also require attention to resolve a variety of structural problems. Among the most common faults which can result in cracked masonry are lintel failure, differential temperature movement and corroding or failed wall ties. Of particular concern is lintel failure, which is often discovered – causing significant problems – during current widespread window replacement programmes.
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With changes in Government legislation, such as Part L of the Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes, the demand for much improved standards of insulation has increased significantly. Local authorities and social housing landlords are particularly keen to find innovative solutions to improve u-values, bring their housing stock up to the required decent standard and realise the environmental benefits of better insulation through reduced carbon emissions and lower fuel consumption.

A growing means of achieving these goals is through the use of rendered external insulation panels, both on traditionally built solid wall properties and the mass of various prefabricated housing, of which there are around 20 different types, and pre-cast concrete high rise buildings, all constructed after World War II. These have either no cavity or a very narrow one, so the use of cavity wall insulation is not feasible. The use of exterior insulation cladding and specialist external rendering will, in most cases, improve the thermal U value of the walls by some 75%.

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