It was definitely an open and closed case for sustainability
and energy efficiency when Cavalok’s cavity closer system helped
The Aster Group create 55 new care homes at Passmore Edward Hospital
in Liskeard, Cornwall.
The Aster Group is a collection of housing associations that own
and manage over 16,000 properties across the South West. ROK, the
main contractor, is carrying out the work on the former Passmore
Edward Hospital, which involves refurbishment of the existing hospital
building as well as construction of 55 new extra care homes for
the elderly.
Cavalok cavity closers were used by ROK on all 55 of the new-build care homes. SAP calculations indicate that the development will exceed Building Regulation thermal performance requirements by 20-30 per cent, using Cavalok’s Big Blok closer system, combined with other high specification and super-insulating components, helped the building achieve these results. Cavalok closers were used to create and close the openings on a variety of wall constructions ranging from 140mm to 175mm cavities with 90mm of insulation.
A four-sided closer solution was selected for the project to accommodate a lintel's over each wall leaf (see diagram) which means a ring of continuous insulation around the opening can be acheived. This thermal break between the interior and exterior of the building dramatically improves the building's energy performance and prevents damaging condensation around wall openings. Cavalok’s comprehensive range of insualted cavity closers can close wallcavities from 50mm up to 300mm.
Cavity closers have become a critical and compulsory building component used in many new-build projects to create the door and window openings while sealing the cavities with vertical and horizontal DPCs. The frame forming closer product enables faster and easier installation of windows as well as improved thermal efficiency for the whole building.
The entire Cavalok cavity closer range is manufactured from 100% post-consumer recycled PVCu; waste material, often from old windows, is recycled into Cavalok’s market leading cavity closers.
“We were delighted with Cavalok’s cavity closer because it proved a quicker, easier and more professional method of creating window openings,” commented Mike McCloud, Site Manager for ROK. “The cavity closers helped us create more thermally efficient window openings, which proved beneficial in the SAP calculations.”
The new build element, which will house the extra care residents, is being constructed from block internal wall and a variety of exterior rainscreen cladding systems, such as brick, masonry render and vertically hung tiles. The flexibility of the Cavalok range meaning the closers are compatible with almost any wall construction method.
The Cavalok cavity closers were supplied through Hendrick Lintels building material distributors and manufactured by Cavalok approved fabricator Securiframe. Gary Gardner, MD of Securiframe, comments “only Cavalok’s products enable me to win these more progressive contracts, by providing a range which meets the latest regulations and covers the widest range of sizes I can supply almost any new build project, giving our business a real advantage.”
