Exteriors


Innovative public housing with Nordic Copper


including Nordic Brown Light copper cladding – as part of its tenure-blind strategy. Branch Place provides the first replacement


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homes in the second phase of the Colville Estate Masterplan designed by Karakusevic Carson Architects, part of Hackney Council's innovative housebuilding programme, delivering hundreds of much-needed Council homes for local people through a pioneering model of financial cross-subsidy. The project provides 116 mixed-tenure homes alongside new public routes, play spaces and landscaping. The two buildings of Branch Place are


crafted from a considered palette of high-quality tenure-blind materials including brickwork, timber and Nordic Brown Light pre-oxidised copper. A copper mansard roof, installed by Full Metal Jacket, to the building next to Regent’s Canal reflects the roofscape


n exemplar for a new, progressive era of public housing design in London utilises high-quality materials –


of neighbouring historic warehouse buildings and marks an entrance to Branch Place and the new Colville neighbourhood. Nordic Brown Light is part of an extensive


range of architectural copper surfaces and alloys from Aurubis with an unrivalled lifespan counted in hundreds of years, no maintenance and full recyclability. With a melting point of 1083˚C and ‘A1 (non- combustible material)’ fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is suitable for cladding tall buildings, using appropriate constructions. Low thermal movement makes it appropriate for any locations and it is non-toxic and safe to handle and work. Its inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for touch surfaces internally as well. The Aurubis architectural range includes


Nordic Standard ‘mill finish’ and Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper, with lighter or darker shades of brown. The extensive Nordic Blue, Nordic Green and Nordic Turquoise ranges have been developed


with properties and colours based on the same brochantite mineralogy found in natural patinas all over the world, and offer various ‘Living’ surfaces. Copper alloys include Nordic Bronze, Nordic Brass and the innovative Nordic Royal with a rich golden through-colour.


01875 812 144 www.nordiccopper.com


Keeping dry… By Ian Weakford, Sales & Marketing Director @ Hambleside Danelaw W


ith the increasing unpredictability of British weather, particularly in winter, ensure you- and the properties


you manage- stay dry. Extreme winters have challenged roofing


product manufacturers to develop solutions to reduce the impact of the weather, particularly wind. It causes slates and tiles to dislodge, underlays to vibrate, and can lead to rain ingress. Even winds as “low’ as 20mph can cause damage. In most situations there is therefore a


requirement to use dry, rather than ‘wet’, fix solutions, so that the roof details, particularly ridges and hips, remain intact, and therefore weatherproof, regardless of the extremes of winter weather. Because the fixing method is dry, remedial work can be carried out almost regardless of the weather; ‘wet’ methods, such as mortar, by contrast need a degree of decent weather for the mortar to cure before being subjected to load. The realisation of the practicality and durability


of dry fix solutions has seen a growth in their popularity. This in turn has led to a growth in the number of mechanically-fixed products available, with a corresponding diversity of quality and performance. It is a case of ‘you get what you pay for’: products with a higher unit cost are usually manufactured and tested to higher quality standards, so can be expected to be easier to use, and to perform better. Thus the perceived higher


cost can actually result in a saving, in that the product will withstand the loads, remain in place, and reduce repairs. To put it into perspective, storm Doris in 2017 saw a 300 per cent increase in the cost of insurance claims from wind damage. Inevitably, in line with these market force


changes, a British Standard has been introduced. BS8612:2018 Dry Fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems for Slating & Tiling: Specification aims to create minimum performance & durability standards for dry fix products used in these areas. But making a roof weatherproof has to be


balanced alongside allowing the roof to “breathe”, to avoid any interstatial condensation. Debate continues to rage about the best way to achieve this, with the arguments primarily focusing around the underlay. Should it be airtight or permeable? Because it is a topic so debatable, our view is always to follow a ‘belt and braces’ approach: vapour permeable underlay AND ventilation. Current Regulations require the ridge to be mechanically fixed, so the small, additional material cost is more than outweighed by the cost of fixing a roof riddled with damp and rot from condensation. A roof does need to breathe, so ventilation


openings will need to be provided anyway. Some argue that air permeable membranes are more effective in allowing the dissipation of moisture, but their use needs to be considered in the increased tile fixing specification as there will be


greater load on the tiles- another reason to rely on mechanical fix rather than ‘wet’ which is so dependant on the quality of the mix, the quality of application and the weather. As with dry fix products, membranes too vary


in quality and price, and again, you get what you pay for. With the recent years of high winds, the UK has now been zoned by wind uplift. Most membranes are not certified for use in all zones, unless particular attention is paid to the fixing method i.e. restraining battens or taped joints. To be sure your roofs will perform, the


best solution is to check your spec. with the manufacturer, and be sure you read the small print, to understand any limitations of use, and to ensure the roofing contractor quotes for and installs what you have specified.


01327 701900 www.hambleside-danelaw.co.uk


www.buildingconstructiondesign.co.uk


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