1 YEAR ON FOR KIRK THERMALWALL

Following the launch at Ecobuild 2014, it’s been a busy year for the team at Kirk ThermalWall, developing and promoting their range of insulation backed and un-insulated horizontal back site anchor natural stone cladding systems. In May 2014 an insulated Kirk ThermalWall granite system was supplied and fixed at a prestigious office development at 32 Queens Road, Aberdeen. This project consisted of two contemporary style extensions to a traditional granite property, with one being a simple rectangle shape with straight walls but the other a half moon shape with a total of 24no rows of facetted panels. Dr Martin Kirk of Kirk ThermalWall commented ‘The facetted shape of the curved extension certainly provided a challenge for the Kirk ThermalWall team, as every granite panel and it’s insulation backing had to have the sides accurately angle cut to fit neatly around the curve, to provide the high quality finished result which has been achieved’. Towards the end of 2014 an un-insulated horizontal rail system, comprising helping hand brackets, vertical/horizontal support rails and polished black granite cladding panels was supplied to SGS Group for a project at Peterhead Prison. Dave Divers, Cladding Installation Manager at SGS Group said ‘The system fitted together very well and early delivery of the support system from Kirk ThermalWall, whilst the granite panels were being factory assembled, allowed us to minimise our time on site by having the support system already in place when the granite panels arrived’. In addition to new projects, further testing and development work has also been carried out. Of particular note is the achievement of CWCT test standard for both the insulated and un-insulated systems at Vinci Technology in October 2014. The CWCT standard is widely recognised by architects, main contractors and developers, and means that Kirk Thermal Wall can be specified with confidence. Dr Martin Kirk added ‘Achieving CWCT test results gives comfort to those involved in natural stone cladding projects that any Kirk ThermalWall system is fit for purpose, and will to meet and in many cases comfortably exceed all expected performance standards. A very comprehensive technical manual available in both hard copy and e form has also been produced, to provide detailed product information for architects, contractors and clients, and also a working standard for those involved in the factory assembly and site installation of Kirk ThermalWall. The UK Patent applied for the insulated Kirk ThermalWall system in 2013 has been published after progressing through all search and examination phases, and is expected to be granted by mid 2015. In view of the international market potential of the system, an International PCT has also been applied for to ensure worldwide protection of the novel and innovative insulated Kirk ThermalWall concept. In terms of market development the benefits of Kirk ThermalWall systems are being actively promoted to architects, main contractors and specialist building envelope facade subcontractors. Since CWCT testing was achieved, with assistance from Scottish Enterprise, the system has been widely promoted and is currently under consideration for a number of large scale natural stone cladding projects ranging up to 1600sq.m in size and contract value £1m+. An approved CPD presentation will be available from mid 2015 to promote the benefits of the system, which include: * Improved building energy performance to specified levels * Factory assembly ensures rapid construction on site * Ease of fixing, plus demountable, upgradeable and re-usable * Lifetime upgrade to any building with unrivalled whole life cost * Comfortably exceeds building and performance standards * Highly sustainable with low embodied CO2 * Upgrades run down buildings to better than new for less cost In addition to new build projects, Dr Martin Kirk sees a particular application in upgrading large run down 1960’s and 70’s concrete residential and commercial buildings, particularly in town centre or city locations. ‘Why spend £2-3m demolishing these monstrosities and rebuilding something new with equally dubious aesthetics, when for a fraction of that cost a really stunning, thermally efficient natural stone building can be produced using insulation backed Kirk ThermalWall?’ A key point regarding the market appeal of Kirk ThermalWall, is the fact that the entire support system is British made, meaning either delivery from stock or if to order in 3-4 weeks maximum. ‘ Unlike competitor products with support system delivery times of 12-14 weeks from China, we can have contractors on site much sooner carrying out support system installation. This is the most time consuming part of installing a natural stone cladding system, and by working in this way when the factory made/check fitted facing panels arrive on site, it is quick and easy to clip and secure these into place to complete the job’ said Dr Martin Kirk. Kirk ThermalWall is a truly remarkable, innovative British designed and manufactured product, with tremendous potential internationally to change the face of town and city landscapes for the better, by in addition to new build applications, transforming tatty rundown looking buildings into attractive thermally efficient modern buildings for a fraction of the cost involved in total demolition and rebuild. Further information about Kirk ThermalWall can be obtained from: KIRK NATURAL STONE DEVELOPMENTS LTD Nethermill House, Auchterless, Turriff, AB53 8BY. Tel. 01888 511399 E Mail: martin@kirknaturalstone.com Web: www.kirknaturalstone.com