A. Proctor Group says Wraptite air barrier system is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier combining vapour permeability and airtightness in one.
External fully adhered vapour permeable air barrier with full BBA certification has been installed as a solution for airtightness, weather protection and breathability at the new administrative headquarters of the Royal College of Pathologists in London.
A. Proctor Group says that the Wraptite air barrier system is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA, combining vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. It claims the approach saves on labour and material costs associated with achieving the demands of energy efficiency in buildings.
Designed by architects Bennetts Associates the new £15m eight-storey building in Whitechapel, London will become the new home for the college and aims for a BREEAM Excellent assessment.
Cladding contractor Windell installed the Wraptite System as an external air barrier and alternative to a traditional standard breather membrane. The use of a standard membrane would have required mechanical fixing and provided some challenges given the concrete structure of the building. As an alternative, the Wraptite self-adhesive membrane was applied externally to the external envelope in continuous pieces.
George Marcantonio, the Site Manager of Windell, said: “The application of the self-adhesive Wraptite System has proven really easy to use, and quick to apply, with no requirement to return for additional fixing or accessories. We will certainly be using the system for future projects and recommend it without hesitation.”
A.Proctor Group believes the product is easier to install because unlike internal air barriers, which can be complex and costly to install due to the need to accommodate building services, it can be positioned on the outside of the structural frame. This simplifies the process of maintaining the envelope’s integrity, as there are less building services and structural penetrations to be sealed.
By reducing the likelihood of potential failures to meet designed airtightness levels, A. Proctor Group says the Wraptite System helps ensure “as-designed” performance, narrowing the performance gap between as-designed and actual energy performance.
