Jabsip, Structural Insulated Panels by Vencel Resil were used to provide a versatile and highly effective roofing and structural solution for Presentation Housing Association’s new development at Consort Road in London.

This major project involved the construction of a terrace of three storey houses, which were surrounded by higher flats. Walter Menteth Architects created a highly innovative design which allows in as much light as possible through glazed clerestory windows on both end walls.

Slates or tile were not a practical roof covering option because of the low pitch of the roof, so this innovative design building became the first ever to combine the VR structural insulated panels (SIPs) with a directly applied ‘Trocal’ single ply weather proofing membrane applied to the external face of the roof.

Neil Conway, General Sales Manager at Vencel Resil, said: “This project just shows how versatile a building’s design can be when using SIPs. This effect could not have been achieved with traditional building methods and the results are stunning. Residents here will benefit from a light, airy building with great sight lines and that makes the best use of available roof space. An added advantage is that the roof also achieves excellent insulation values which reduces fuel bills and makes the house feel much more comfortable.”

In this totally revolutionary design the Jabsip roof panels are supported exclusively off the party wall.

Structural timbers were introduced into the panels to provide fixing points for window trimmings and gutters. Vencel Resil additionally provided angled wall panels which run at a lower level (& support the range of windows above) along with a tapered gutter system.

Architect Walter Menteth explains: “Structural insulated panels were used on this project as they gave us greater flexibility in design, as well as providing wide two way spans and excellent thermal performance. This is a method which could become the way forward for future buildings where maximum use of light and space is required within a restricted area. We are delighted with the results.”

Developed to meet the demands of the UK construction industry, Jabsip has many benefits in terms of offering quicker installation times, plus a significant reduction in waste material on site. Jabsip is manufactured from expanded polystyrene sandwiched between two layers of orientated strand board (OSB). The panel are produced in varying thicknesses and spans and allow the building designer to adopt the principle of modern methods of constructions.

Incorporated into each Jabsip panel are timber head and base plates, vertical OSB splines or timber studs for jointing corners. The panels can be manufactured with timber lintels and framing around pre-formed apertures for windows and doors to strengthen and distribute loadings at these points.

The system, which has been approved by the British Board of Agrément (BBA), is helping many developers meet the increasingly stringent Building Regulations and the challenges of high density housing.

Email: sales@vencil.co.uk