The flexibility of Gradient’s approach to roofing insulation proved to be more than equal to the task when it was faced with a series of complex geometrical challenges posed by the roof of an Art Deco style private house in Worcestershire. Located in the Malvern Hills the 1930s property featured a concrete slab roof with a single-layer felt outer skin that had failed. This was allowing massive heat loss through the roof and contributing to considerable problems with condensation and mould growth in the property’s first-floor rooms.

“The occupants of the house had carried out their own detailed investigation which confirmed that a suitable new insulation solution would dramatically reduce their heating costs as well as tackling the problems of damp and condensation,” explains Gradient’s Steve Adams. “We undertook a number of site visits to assess the situation and then worked closely with IKO who co-ordinated the project along with the architect, Ian Guest and Associates.”

Gradient’s proposed design called for the existing internal outlets to be removed from the roof. A single-layer of tapered, tissue-faced insulation board would then be used to create new falls right across the 204 sq metre roof areas so that rainwater would run off to a new guttering system which was being installed

“The unconventional design of this property required an innovative approach for the roof waterproofing system,” comments IKO’s David Bailey. “Among the various challenges was a semi-circular flat roof which projected above a bay window. Gradient was able to design a bespoke solution for this area and pre-cut the necessary insulation pieces in its factory. These proved to be a very accurate fit and this allowed us to install the insulation quickly and easily and achieve a very neat and smooth curve to the edges.”

The completed new roof insulation conforms to Building Regulation requirements by achieving an average U-value of 0.25.