Editor’s Choice
THE SCHÖCK ISOKORB. AN EFFECTIVE
ALTERNATIVE TO WRAPPED PARAPETS.
Located near Highgate in North London, the
Chester Balmore project consists of three elegant
brick-clad blocks, housing a contemporary
collection of 53 super-insulated one, two and
three-bedroom flats.The development is designed
to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4
and including the cavity, the walls are half a metre thick and the windows all triple glazed.
Preventing thermal bridging along the parapets
is critical for such a high performance development, because as with balconies, parapets can
allow conductive materials to transfer energy
through the thermal barrier. The conventional
method of insulating parapets is to wrap the
perimeter of the wall with an insulation barrier.
However, the Schöck Isokorb type A offers
a cost-effective and more thermally efficient
alternative. Its 60mm insulation thickness results
in low psi-values, therefore significantly reduces
heat loss – and there is no wrapping required.
Greater freedom of design is possible and it allows
flexible distance between elements according to
load requirements. An added benefit is no risk
of additional thermal bridging through
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balustrade fixings. Other key factors are durability and water impermeability. The Isokorb
type A solution does not require maintenance
and there is no risk of expensive restoration due
to waterproofing problems. Whereas wrapped
components can be likened to an insulated flat
roof, with many of the associated problems.
They are prone to damage and almost inevitable
repair and maintenance outlay, particularly
where railings or covers pierce the insulating
layer. With thermally separated parapets, railings and covers can be attached directly into the
concrete. The Isokorb type A provides BBA
Certification and LABC Registration and meets
full compliance with the relevant UK building
regulations. In addition, there is also compliance
with the Government Standard Assessment Procedure, SAP 2009, concerning CO2 emissions
from buildings and respectively heat losses
through non-repeating thermal bridges.
For your free copy of the comprehensive 236 page
‘Technical Guide’ and / or a copy of the new Schöck
‘Thermal Bridging Guide’ contact the company on:
01865 290 890 go to www.schoeck.co.uk;
or email: [email protected]