United Living
Ealing, London

Retrofit project through SHF

InstaGroup supplied and installed External Wall insulation (Solid Wall insulation) and replacement windows for homes in Ealing, Greater London through the Social Housing Fund (SHF). The 44 properties were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s.

For this SHF project we worked with United Living, who help to revive communities by improving homes for local people. United Living chose InstaGroup for supply and installation as we are well known for our technical abilities and experience in retrofit.

Combining experience and know-how

The project team includes ECD Architects who champion Energy Conscious Design and focus on sustainability in construction. Working together, we were able to combine our specialist knowledge in refurbishment and retrofit projects.

The team discovered that the 90-year old properties would need a unique solution to combat the problems of heat loss.

A bespoke system design

A challenging target was set by the client: to install all 44 homes to Energiesprong standards. To achieve this would mean 280mm insulation installed on the walls and 250mm insulation installed below the damp proof course (DPC).

We had to design a unique system, bespoke to these properties. This kind of system is not often specified, due to the thickness of the insulation. However, our expert solution would ensure the properties could meet the required energy savings.

We installed InstaGroup’s leading External Wall insulation system InstaClad Robust on the walls, and Stomix StxTherm Robust below the DPC.

InstaClad Robust has been awarded Innovation status, with a 25% uplift for funding in ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). The increase from the Innovation award makes Social Housing with an EPC of D able to qualify for installation of our External Wall insulation system.

In total, the Ealing project will amount to around 4,000m² of installation.

Retrofit for a better life

Retrofitting won’t just reduce energy bills and keep the homes warmer for residents: it’s also a positive step towards tackling the climate crisis. Every UK home that’s insulated will use less energy on heating, which reduces harmful carbon emissions.

Installing insulation in the UK’s older homes through the SHF means a brighter future for everyone.

Teamwork that works

InstaGroup put a lot of pre-build process and preparation into an installation such as this. Our forward planning includes looking at design queries, organising material supply, co-ordinating timings and in-depth pricing exercises. Timescales in Ealing were very tight, and we wanted to ensure the project was delivered to high standards in the time allowed.

Our ability to work as a team helped to resolve any problems that come up, keeping everyone on track.

Keeping on track

Communication is key, and we held weekly design meetings on-site to get on top of queries and concerns. Every two weeks the wider team had a catch-up, where we discussed issues or challenges that may affect the progress of the project.

Professional skills on and off-site

The UK construction industry is currently facing some difficulties with material supply and getting the right stock delivered when it’s needed. We’ve managed to solve many of these problems through excellent collaboration between the material supply department, the Operational teams, the Site team and the client liaison officer.

Our Site supervisors are also Retrofit Co-Ordinators, which brings an essential set of skills on-site. InstaGroup supervisors can ensure the install teams work meets the required standards and adheres to the important PAS 32035 requirements throughout the SHDF project.