Category: General

JACKON building systems were chosen for both the foundations and external walls to help achieve Scarborough’s first ever passive house standard private dwelling, achieving a net positive, zero energy home.

Designed by Architects Samuel Kendal Associates, this three-storey sustainable family home is embedded deep into the Scarborough Hillside, and comprises a semi-submerged basement housing a garage and music room, a lower ground floor for three large bedrooms and a top floor consisting of a large open plan kitchen and living spaces.

JACKON Building systems, JACKODUR Atlas raft foundation and THERMOMUR ICF, were the client’s preference and were chosen for their versatility, energy efficiency, speed of construction and cost effectiveness to help them achieve their aims of becoming net zero. 

The specialist ICF contractor Bondmor, working closely with JACKON’s leading approved distributors in the North of England ICF Building Solutions Ltd, utilised JACKODUR ATLAS for the foundation of the build. Bondmor and ICF building solutions worked hand in hand with the architect and the clients prior to construction to design the building around the JACKON systems to minimise wastage and increase on-site efficiency. The JACKODUR ATLAS was the ideal choice, as a zero waste, fully bespoke, cut-to-size foundation system helping achieve U-values of 0.12 Wm²K and a compressive strength of 500 kPa. The innovative design of the XPS system assisted the contractor in constructing the foundation in a matter of days, eliminating all thermal bridges whilst maintaining high performance insulation values with zero waste.

JACKON’s THERMOMUR 350HD blocks were utilised for all the subterranean lower ground floor walls. Selected for its 200mm concrete core paired with its energy efficient properties (U-value 0.22 Wm²K). Bondmor were able to construct the 6m retaining ICF walls quickly without the need for additional structural support from further retaining methods, saving the client time and money. The THERMOMUR 350HD blocks were externally clad with 100mm JACKODUR XPSK300 to seamlessly line up with the THERMOMUR 450 blocks above in order to achieve a U-value of 0.09

Chosen for its high-performance insulation values and its cost effectiveness compared with other similar building systems, the above ground exposed walls were installed with THERMOMUR 450 achieving U-values of 0.11 Wm²K. This wall structure far exceeds the requirements of today’s building regulations and surpasses Passive House Standards (U-value 0.15 Wm²K). 

Bondmor were able to effectively construct the ICF walls and openings to allow for ease of follow-on trades. Pockets were built into the ICF walls to allow for the universal beams to support the block and beam floor structure, openings were squared and formed to pre-determined window dimensions. This allowed the client to reduce the lead time on the window manufacturing and installation. Gable ends were cut to precise angles to allow structural bearing for the SIPS roof panel. Penetrations were installed for all service locations prior to concrete placement. JACKON ICF systems are metric dimensions with internal and external fixing points running vertically through the blocks every 150mm.

The JACKON Building System took just 27 days to construct. The clients were very impressed with the speed and efficiency involved. ICF construction is fast becoming a widely recognised modern method of construction for developers and self-builders. It integrates both insulation and concrete in one permanent formwork solution that provides many offsite, onsite and end-user benefits. These include: high performance insulation values and significantly improved airtightness, leading to reduced heating and cooling requirements, excellent acoustic performance, improved fire resistance, enhanced capabilities in extreme weathers with added benefits of reduced maintenance, as well as being accepted by mortgage lenders, home insurance and planning departments. 

JACKON brings over 60 years’ expertise in EPS and XPS manufacturing to this market. JACKODUR ATLAS is manufactured from XPS (extruded polystyrene), while THERMOMUR uses EPS (moulded expanded polystyrene) to create the formwork. The two systems fully integrate, leading to a reduction in the need for extra on-site labour.

An amazing self-build property built on a JACKODUR® ATLAS foundation slab has won the Small Project Category of the 2021 Passivhaus Awards.

The property, Larch Corner, is located in Warwickshire and predominantly features modern timber engineering in its above ground construction. However, the building is based on JACKODUR® ATLAS foundation system from JACKON.

The JACKODUR® ATLAS Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) insulation and formwork system is an intelligent and efficient thermal insulation system for floor slabs and is ideal for constructing the foundations of energy-efficient houses.

The system comprises an economic interlocking system, which eliminates thermal bridges and has excellent compressive strength properties. Supplied cut to size, rapid and problem-free construction is assured.

In this particular property the floor has a U-value of 0.101 W/m²K and the building overall is claimed to be the most airtight house in the UK and the third most airtight house in the world, exceeding current building regulations 244 times over! 

Thanks to the elimination of heat loss through the floor of the structure, JACKODUR® ATLAS plays a critical role in helping Larch Corner achieve its net zero credentials. The owner and builder says that he was able to turn off the heating system in the house, provided by an air source heat pump and photovoltaic array, in March and hasn’t needed to use it since.

JACKON’S expertise in the creation of building materials for low energy buildings goes far beyond the manufacture of foundation systems. The company has over 60 years’ expertise in manufacturing both XPS and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). While JACKODUR® ATLAS uses XPS, the company’s THERMOMUR® Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) EPS system can be used in combination with it, to create highly energy efficient buildings.

More information about Larch Corner is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VoWDIs_bLA&t=14s

If you have been involved in any type of new build or refurbishment project lately, you have probably heard about U-Values. But what’s it all about and why does it matter?

The U-value is a measure of thermal transmittance through the fabric of a building, basically how well insulated it is. The lower the U-value, the better the building is at retaining heat within it, so the less energy is required to heat it (or cool it).

This is one aspect of improving the environmental performance of a building. Historically in the UK more emphasis has been placed on the use of renewable energy technologies to improve the green credentials of a building, for instance micro generation with wind turbines, solar panels and ground source heat pumps.

While these all have a role in helping meet the current environmental targets of the construction industry, their impact is reduced if the building fabric itself has a high thermal transmittance. Indeed the biggest gains in reducing CO2 emissions from buildings and also saving cost with regard to a building’s energy requirement are to be found in improving the fabric of the building itself – enhancing insulation and reducing thermal transmittance.

JACKON therefore very much welcomes the fact that the Government’s new Future Homes Standard is adopting a ‘fabric first’ approach in its drive to secure cuts in emissions of up to 80%. This is set to be a key part of the construction industry’s framework going forward, underpinning the planned green recovery of the housebuilding market in particular.

Achieving the lowest possible U-value is also a key criteria for a building to gain Passivhaus certification, since it is a requirement to achieve a 75% reduction in space heating requirements, compared to a standard UK new build.

Thermal transmittance, the U-value, is the rate of transfer of heat through a structure divided by the difference in temperature across that structure. The unit of measurement is W/m²K. Workmanship and installation standards can strongly affect the thermal transmittance. If insulation is fitted poorly, with gaps and cold bridges, then the thermal transmittance can be considerably higher than desired. Thermal transmittance takes heat loss due to conduction, convection and radiation into account. 

The U-value measurements can be calculated theoretically by considering the thermal transmittance of each layer of the building’s fabric, and there is a calculation method included in the relevant British Standard BS EN ISO 6946: 2017. This takes into account any mortar joints in the construction and also fixing components which have the potential to cause cold-bridging. Post-construction measurements using sensors are however the most robust way of assessing actual U-values, since they are able to take workmanship into account, as well as the actual materials themselves.

The current regulations aim for a target U-value of 0.18 for external walls as a starting point to achieve a well-insulated building envelope. Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) constructions have been achieving this target easily for years in their basic configuration, with no “add-ons”, while other types of constructions have had to push their limits in terms of cavities, ties and expensive insulating material in order to achieve the existing levels of thermal performance. 

The Future Homes Standard is up for further consultation, ahead of final implementation in 2025, but it is clear it will be a requirement for housebuilders to build well-insulated homes, in which on-site renewable energy sources cannot be used to offset inadequate insulation at the construction phase. The Government is proposing target u-values of 0.15 for external walls and 0.11 for floors from 2025, and there will be an initial uplift in Standards, coming into effect in June next year, via an amendment to Part L of the Building Regulations which sets the standards for the energy performance and carbon emissions of new and existing buildings.

JACKON is ready for these changes and is in fact arguing for them to be even more rigorous, by setting far more demanding air tightness targets. The new targets are not a problem, since JACKON’s THERMOMUR 350 ICF in its standard EPS configuration achieves a U-Value of 0.17 W/m²K. By using upgraded THERMOMUR 350 Super EPS that figure drops to 0.15 W/m²K. The next step up is THERMOMUR 450 with a U-Value of 0.11 W/m²K, which puts the building on course to become a Zero Carbon build.

An impressive new house in Devon highlights the benefits of Jackodur® Atlas insulated concrete raft system and Thermomur® ICF blocks for internal and external walls.

Used together, these systems enable more rapid construction and in this project produced an insulated slab with a u-value of 0.15 and external walls with a u-value of 0.15. On some projects use of the Jackon systems enables even lower u-values to be achieved.

Laing Bespoke Homes developed the property and were amazed by both the ease of use of the Jackon systems and the very high energy efficiency of the completed building.

“Previously we had always built with timber frame,” says Christopher Laing of Laing Bespoke Homes. “However we were becoming disillusioned with this method. The rapidly rising cost of timber, its decreasing quality and worse tolerances were causes for concern. So we began to research alternative methods that suited our processes and aims.”

ICF is a modern construction method, which is widely used in Europe and North America, but is still relatively new in the UK. It integrates insulation materials into the concrete formwork, which can totally change and modernise the way a house is constructed. 

As well as being easier and quicker to build, an ICF house provides massive advantages during the life of a building. These include: dramatically improved insulation and air tightness leading to reduced expenditure on heating or cooling; excellent acoustic performance; fire resistance; enhanced resilience to flood, extreme weather and seismic activity; rot and vermin resistance; versatility with regard to remodelling; minimal maintenance requirement; mortgage, insurance and planning acceptance.

Jackon brings over 60 years’ expertise in EPS and XPS manufacturing to this market. The two complementary systems are Jackodur Atlas which uses XPS (extruded polystyrene) and Thermomur which uses EPS (moulded expanded polystyrene) to create the formwork.

Jackodur Atlas Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) comprises an interlocking system, which eliminates thermal bridges and has stable compressive strength properties. Supplied cut to size, rapid and problem-free construction is assured.

For the most energy efficient buildings, Jackodur Atlas should be used in conjunction with Jackon’s Thermomur. This is a robust pre-formed block with a hollow core manufactured from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). The empty core in the block is filled with concrete during construction.

Jackon EPS and XPS products have a European Technical Approval and Passivhaus certification. In the UK the products conform to all the relevant British Standards and are approved by various insurance companies.

In accordance with the current trend towards green building and zero energy homes, the Devon house is highly energy efficient and makes full use of renewable technologies, solar PV, MVHR and rainwater harvesting, which together complement the well-insulated structure itself. 

The developer particularly valued the fact that within the Thermomur range Jackon have developed a unique high density EPS cavity closure of a sufficient density to allow doors and windows to be fixed directly to it – thereby eliminating any cold bridging.

Use of the Jackon systems enabled the structure of this large house, including gables and a large detached double garage, to be completed within just a few weeks. The speed of the build programme was made possible by the integration of the building components and a reduction in the need for extra onsite labour, especially in comparison to timber frame.

“Being able to achieve the target u-values for both the foundations and the walls immediately, with no other additions required, was very pleasing,” says Christopher Laing. “We like to provide buildings that are as environmentally friendly and futureproofed as possible and an ICF building provides great thermal mass and zero air permeability on clear wall areas. This new house is A-rated on its as-built EPC and, with exceptionally low air permeability, it is Zero Carbon.”

JACKODUR® ATLAS and THERMOMUR®, the Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) building systems from JACKON are set to revolutionise UK house construction in the coming years.

ICF is a modern construction method, which is widely used in Europe and North America and is just starting out on its growth trajectory in the UK. The system integrates insulation materials into the concrete formwork, which totally changes and modernises the way houses are constructed.  It is an energy efficient building method which creates insulated structural walls and floors for residential and commercial buildings.

As well as being easier and quicker to build, an ICF house provides massive advantages during the life of a building. These include: dramatically improved insulation and therefore reduced expenditure on heating or cooling; excellent acoustic performance; fire resistance; enhanced resilience to flood, extreme weather and seismic activity; rot and vermin resistance; versatility with regard to remodelling; minimal maintenance requirement; mortgage, insurance and planning acceptance.

JACKON brings over 60 years’ expertise in EPS and XPS manufacturing to this market. The company offers two separate systems – JACKODUR ATLAS which uses an XPS (extruded polystyrene) insulated core and THERMOMUR which uses EPS (moulded expanded polystyrene) formwork.

JACKODUR ATLAS Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) insulation and formwork system is an intelligent and efficient thermal insulation systems for floor slabs and is ideal for constructing the foundations of energy-efficient houses.

The system comprises an economic interlocking system, which eliminates thermal bridges and has stable compressive strength properties. Supplied cut to size, rapid and problem-free construction is assured.

For the most energy efficient buildings, JACKODUR ATLAS should be used in conjunction with THERMOMUR. This is a robust pre-formed block with a hollow core manufactured from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). The empty core in the block is filled with a concrete pour during construction.

This system facilitates fast and easy installation on site and brings all the advantages of very high insulation levels, elimination of thermal bridging, air tightness, moisture and mould resistance and acoustic insulation.

JACKON’s EPS and XPS products are manufactured in Europe, with European technical and environmental approvals. These include European Technical Approvals and Passivhaus certification. They are proven to perform well and widely used in Scandinavia and other countries which experience extreme climatic conditions. In the UK the products conform to all the relevant British Standards and have BBA certification.

“Our high quality ICF systems make the construction of low energy, and even zero energy homes and commercial buildings, possible,” says Colin Higham, Managing Director of Jackon UK. “We believe that this system is now set for rapid growth in the UK, in view of the interest in energy efficiency and the Government’s green building agenda. JACKODUR ATLAS and THERMOMUR offer so many advantages both in construction and over the lifetime of the building, when compared to brick build, timber frame or any other building technique traditionally used in the UK.”

Most owners build only one house in their life. As a result, they have to take a lot of things into consideration during the planning phase – because once taken, their decisions have long-term consequences.

One such decision, for example, concerns which energy standards the new construction will meet. Here, the lower the heating energy requirement, the greater the long-term appreciation of the real estate is likely to be. So it is advisable to go beyond the minimum standards required by law. And that leaves no choice but to use high quality thermal insulation. For an example of how to combine energy efficiency with comfortable living, consider the Schaefer family.

Well insulated from below

In the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district of Lower Saxony (Germany), the owners are realizing their dream of a home of their own: the newly constructed building where the family is now going to live has 250 square meters of floorspace. Right from the outset, Daniel Schaefer recognized the value of efficient and durable thermal insulation. “Our house complies with the KfW 40 standard. In addition, we have eco-friendly heating using a ground source heat pump with a borehole heat exchanger.” In order to avoid energy losses through the building shell, the owner made sure that the entire property was well insulated – even underneath. The floor slab insulation made of durable, robust XPS insulation – an extruded polystyrene foam – inhibits heat losses and also protects the structure. The material is also used in the ventilated cavity wall of the upper floor.

Secure floor slab insulation with JACKODUR® Atlas

One way to install thermal bridge-free floor slab insulation in all types of buildings is with JACKODUR Atlas. The certified system also allows you to install insulation and formwork in a single step. That means complicated formwork is a thing of the past. The owner was particularly impressed with the handy, reliable insert system that eliminates the possibility of thermal bridges: “The insulation boards are really easy to install and fit together perfectly.” At the construction site, the precisely prefabricated elements are inserted into one another according to the installation diagram. First a frame is created, that establishes the shape of the floor slab. Then the insulation boards can simply be installed inside the area. The formwork elements inserted along the sides, which correspond to the height of the concrete slab, provide the required lateral support. They also serve as formwork. In this way, JACKODUR Atlas provides secure, thermal bridge-free floor slab insulation for all types of construction. By selecting the right thermal insulation thickness, it is possible to achieve insulation values that comply with the German Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) up to the passive house standard – for future-proof buildings ranging from residential construction to office buildings to public facilities such as kindergartens and schools.

XPS – robust material with a long service life

As with many things, the differences among types of thermal insulation are in the details. XPS has established a reputation as an excellent insulation material because it offers especially high efficiency, compressive strength and durability, and is even unaffected by moisture. These properties make this insulation material the right choice for the floor slab, for example, and also for the roof. JACKODUR Atlas boards are easy to handle and save time during installation. This lets owners create durable, effective floor slab insulation.

Sustainability is much more than just a trend. Especially in the construction industry, projects that harmonize ecological, economic and social aspects in planning, construction and operation are no longer pie in the sky dreams: rather, more and more of them are being realized every day.

The EUREF Campus in Berlin-Schöneberg is a model project for the energy revolution unlike any other in Europe. The EUREF Campus 14 office building is an architectonic highlight of the grounds, with outstanding energy efficiency – sustainable from the base of the building up to the green roof construction with the JACKODUR^® thermal insulation system for inverted roofs.

The gasometer in Schöneberg is one of Berlin’s best-known landmarks. On the 5.5-hectare grounds of what was once the GASAG industrial complex, an ultra-modern urban district has been under construction since 2008. It shows how the planned energy revolution can succeed. According to project developer EUREF AG, the Campus has been meeting the German federal government’s CO2 climate objectives for 2050 already since 2014. A nearly climate-neutral energy supply, the intelligent energy grid, and highly efficient buildings are the key components of the innovative concept. The photovoltaic systems, wind turbines and biogas-fired combined heat and power plant installed on the grounds generate most of the total energy required there.

The EUREF Campus features a wide range of special buildings and styles.

Alongside listed, painstakingly renovated historic structures, attractive new buildings that satisfy the most contemporary architectural demands are being erected. Economically advanced buildings that can last for generations and conserve valuable resources during their construction and operation while offering their users a comfortable working space that complies with the principles of sustainable building.

The EUREF Campus 14 office building is one of the new buildings on the grounds. It was completed in December 2015. The facade of the tower reflects the shapes and lines of the gasometer as well as a vertical wind turbine and harmonizes superbly with its surroundings. The interior of the structure and the materials used are designed from maximum efficiency: Its building services and energy concept make it a high-performance building. The thermo-active building system for the regulation of heating and cooling, centrally controlled blinds on the triple glazed windows and automated lighting provide a high level of comfort and a good indoor climate. And the building’s insulation is also a major factor, whereby the roof construction of EUREF Campus 14 particularly stands out: planners, architect and roofing company opted for the inverted roof method with JACKODUR^® thermal insulation boards.

The inverted roof is an invented flat roof where the thermal insulation – unlike with the conventional arrangement – lies on top of the roof membrane and is thereby exposed to the weather.

Though this might seem out of the ordinary at first, it offers a big advantage: the insulation layer provides the membrane with effective and durable protection against mechanical damage, UV embrittlement and extreme temperature fluctuations. However, the insulation itself must also withstand them. With JACKODUR^® insulation boards, JACKON Insulation supplies the ideal products for inverted roof applications. Made of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), JACKODUR^® thermal insulation boards have a closed-cell structure that makes them insensitive to moisture and maintains their compressive strength and dimensional stability even under high loads. Mani Pentschew, design consultant for JACKON Insulation, describes one of the special features of the EUREF roof: “With a building height of about 32 meters, the EUREF Campus 14 is classified as a high-rise, so the roof design requires special measures to secure it against wind suction. Subject to those conditions, implementing the inverted roof configuration in an ideal manner was a challenge – but one that the roofer was able to overcome very well with our products.”

To that end, the inverted roof was constructed in multiple layers. The roof’s load-bearing structure and root-resistant membrane were covered with JACKODUR^® KF 300 Standard SF in a thickness of 240 mm. Ralf Logsch, Construction Manager at SKD Bau, the roofing company contracted for the job, justified the choice of JACKODUR^® this way: “The boards can be installed easily and quickly, so it wasn’t hard to fit them along all of the curves of the oval roof layout. We installed the roof during the fall and winter months at the end of 2014 and early 2015. Because XPS is weather-proof, we were able to work under nearly all weather conditions. And the insulation loses none of its properties over time due to heavy rains or alternation between frozen and thawed states.” In order to impart the necessary load and prevent drifting, grass pavers were laid on the insulation boards and filled with coarse gravel. The green roof installation used a system from Optigrün. The planting itself was installed by rolling out prefabricated vegetation mats planted with sedum. This kind of extensive planting requires very little maintenance and remains permanently green. The accessible areas of the roof were filled in with a gravel bedding layer and covered with pavers. As a result, the inverted roof construction method is not only functional, but also contributes visually to the value of the building.

The high quality of the overall building is certified by, among other things, the Platinum rating level LEED certificate for EUREF Campus 14.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Where Environmental Product Declarations – or EPDs for short – are available for a certain quantity of the construction products used, this has a positive effect on the rating. Here, too, JACKODUR^® was able to provide impressive results, because JACKON Insulation has obtained several EPDs for its XPS boards. Using eco-balance sheets, EPDs render the environmental impacts of products transparent, thereby making it much easier to calculate the ecological sustainability of a building.

The building’s tenant is DB Engineering & Consulting, the engineering and consulting firm of Deutsche Bahn, which works on the development and implementation of mobility and transport solutions. The company has joined the ranks of the more than 100 start-ups, global players and research institutions that are making the EUREF Campus into an innovative center for the energy revolution. As the project development continues, even more office space, residential units, restaurants and event facilities are being built. In some 15 building complexes, nearly 6,000 people will then be able to work and carry out research. The prospect pleases design consultant Mani Pentschew: “The use of our JACKODUR^® products in such a pioneering project is something quite special and a great project for JACKON Insulation.”

Property data:

• EUREF Campus 14, office building
• 10829 Berlin, Germany
• Building height: approx. 32 m
• Floor space: approx. 7,000 m²
• Architecture and construction management: EUREF Consulting GmbH, Berlin
• General contractor: Wolff & Müller GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin
• Roofing Company: SKD Bau GmbH, Göda
• The material used: approx. 650 m² JACKODUR^® KF 300 Standard SF, 240 mm

10.09.2018 – Magnoliengärten Lohbrügge/Hamburg – family-friendly living surrounded by nature, with highly energy-efficient and healthy micro-climate.

Just outside Hamburg, a metropolis with a population of almost two million, yet surrounded by nature: the impressive location is one of the benefits that favor the residential construction project Magnoliengärten Lohbrügge right from the start. But project developer Bonava has many more arguments. One of them is the natural charm that the new neighborhood radiates, with some 100 homes and another 150 rental apartments. Lots of green dominates the overall picture – including the extensive green flat roofs. The inverted roofs use high-performance insulation materials from Jackon, which combine many benefits: an especially slim design and long service life along with high energy-efficiency that sets new standards.

The first families will be able to move into their new Magnoliengärten home by mid-2018, and the prestigious residential construction project is scheduled for completion by 2019. Eleven three-to-four-story buildings in all, plenty of green space around each of the structures, convenient furnishings, right down to the underground parking facility: with green spaces of 59 to 102 square meters, the attractive condominiums offer a complete package. “With its some 40,000 residents, the location in the placid community of Lohbrügge just outside Hamburg combines seemingly paradoxical elements: nature and family-friendly country life together with the metropolis of Hamburg at your doorstep,” explains Mani Pentschew, qualified mechanical engineer and Head of Building Site Service at Jackon.

Inverted roof insulation meets energy efficiency requirements

Already during the initial idea phase, Bonava’s planners recognized that a green inverted roof would be the perfect solution in this case, enabling them to achieve a number of different project requirements. After all, along with facades and windows, the roof represents the decisive parameter in the planning of the energy-based building shell – both with regard to energy efficiency and in view of the increasing inner-city population density. The first goal is to achieve good modern energy efficiency with excellent U values, but without losing floorspace, and while maintaining a streamlined facade design the same time. Along with that, the extensive roof planting contributes to a healthy micro-climate in Hamburg’s idyllic Lohbrügge district.

Whereas facade insulation often reaches its practical limits with regard to insulation layer thickness, the roof offers greater depth here in the true sense of the word. The inverted roof also permitted the Magnoliengärten project to comply with building requirements under Germany’s Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV 2014) and the KfW 55 standard. Additional arguments such as the optimization of construction times further bolstered the case for the inverted roof. By late 2015, the residential construction project developers had already turned to Jackon with these requirements and found in JACKODUR Plus a thoroughly persuasive, high-performance solution. This insulation material represents Jackon’s perfectly tailored, high-performance solution for the inverted roof application. Its excellent insulation properties, with ʎ_D = 0.027 W/(m·K), enables planners to create sustainable and energy-efficient building designs. “Made of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), these thermal insulation boards have a closed-cell structure that makes them insensitive to moisture and maintains their compressive strength and dimensional stability even under high loads,” adds Mani Pentschew. That’s how JACKODUR Plus boards enable low structural depths with high efficiency, save installation time with their rapid, single-layer configuration, and also save valuable resources.

Time-saving installation and durable protection

Installation as part of an inverted roof has proven particularly economical in view of time savings and long service life. In this case, it is an unvented flat roof where the thermal insulation – unlike with the conventional arrangement – lies on top of the roof membrane and is thereby exposed to the weather. One big advantage of this approach is that the insulation layer provides the membrane with effective and durable protection against mechanical damage, UV embrittlement and extreme temperature fluctuations. As an alternative to classic roofing sheets, waterproof concrete construction is also an option. This variant was selected for use here.

Green roofs offer other benefits as well: Filtration of air pollutants and mitigation of the radiant heat improve the overall climate situation. At the same time, they have a compensating effect on the water balance by retaining, storing and delaying the drainage of precipitation. And last but not least, they also provide enhanced sound insulation.

Low installation height – excellent insulation performance

Made of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), highly efficient JACKODUR^® Plus insulation material is doing a great job in Magnoliengärten. The project is using 320-mm-thick JACKODUR Plus together with JACKODUR filter layer WA. The outstanding lambda value of the material enables it to achieve high insulation efficiency and the required U value of 0.100 W/(m²K). As the residential buildings are successively completed, some 4,000 square meters of roof area will be insulated and then extensively planted. By comparison, other XPS insulation materials would necessitate a 400-mm-thick insulation layer to achieve the same efficiency – which corresponds to a considerable 320-m² increase in material volume. Or in other words, had it not been for JACKODUR Plus, four additional truckloads of insulation would have had to be delivered and installed. The high-performance material has eliminated the need for that.

Sustainable thermal protection, full coverage in top form

This project proves once again that high-quality inverted roofs are purple thanks to high-performance insulation materials from Jackon. With their pioneering energy efficiency, Magnoliengärten Lohbrügge will soon be a green jewel on the edge of Hamburg, treating its new residents to a family-friendly natural setting.