Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM external wall insulation system provides stylish thermal performance in Ireland
Dublin’s shortage of student housing was eased with the opening last year of the Binary Hub, which accommodates 471 students in the heart of the city.
Developed by the Student Housing Company with main contractor Bennett Construction, the project features a number of innovative materials and systems, including a sandwich panel system (SPS) for the main structure. This has two steel plates bonded with a core of insulation. Fabricated off-site and cut and shaped to fine tolerances, the panels are craned swiftly into place and bolted to the structural steelwork. The system is much lighter and faster to erect than reinforced concrete, has a lower carbon footprint and offers enhanced insulation properties.
Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM external wall insulation system was applied to the facade, achieving a high quality, cost efficient build, with improved speed of construction and high thermal performance while contributing to a striking, stylish and modern appearance.
The webertherm XM EWI system has BBA and NSAI Agrément accreditation. In this project Weber calculated a high energy efficient target U-value of 0.16W/m²K, with the render coat and decorative finish offering a durable, water shedding capacity to protect the building fabric. The system specified 140mm mineral fibre insulation applied to the SPS system which has been covered with a 6mm meshcloth reinforced coat of weberend LAC, a polymer modified, cement based mortar. This is applied in two passes before weber PR310 primer is applied, followed by webersil TF decorative finish to achieve a textured render finish in Chalk.