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Swisrail Chosen for the Phoenix Apartments
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Alumasc’s M.R. Swisrail Insulated Render System has been chosen for an innovative apartment development in Cherstey, Surrey. This monolithic system is specifically tailored to the needs of lightweight frame construction. It not only achieved the exceptional levels of insulation required but also met the need for a ‘drained system’ around a unique curved tower feature.
Developed by Countryside Properties, the Phoenix Apartments comprise one and two bedroom units. The scheme features four landmark buildings including a cylindrical tower that forms the centre piece. Over 1700m2 of Swisrail was specified by the architects, KDS Associates, because it could offer a highly efficient insulation board that achieved a ‘U’ value of 0.20 W/m2K. The 140mm extruded polystyrene insulation needed to achieve the U value can be used with a drained system, unlike most other products on the market which are limited to 120mm insulation.
NHBC approved Swisrail is based on Swistherm, the principal M.R. Insulated Render System for new building applications. Swisrail incorporates a series of steel rails and channels that provide a 25mm drained cavity between the insulation and the steel frame to comply with NHBC guidelines. Swisrail provided a solution that could be installed quickly and easily around the tower.
The aesthetic benefits of Swisrail were also important to the specifiers. The scheme includes some retail units and a renovated Grade II listed house that provides a striking contrast to the glass and render of the new buildings. Swisrail is a contemporary architectural solution based on lightweight renders with textured finishes, in a wide choice of colours – enabling the architects to select a finish that fulfilled their design brief.
Lightweight M.R. ST Silicone and Mineral top coats are available in rolled or dragged surface textures. The render is highly resistant to impact damage and requires minimal routine maintenance. The choice of insulation materials includes mineral wool for non-combustibility and expanded polystyrene for economy, whilst either mineral wool or cork, when combined with M.R. ST Mineral decorative renders, provide a faÇade solution composed entirely of natural materials.
