Polarwall on Grand Designs

The benefits of building with Polarwall Insulating Concrete Formwork were highlighted on a recent episode of the very popular Grand Designs television programme. Polarwall was chosen as the construction method for a new mews house in Kensington. The housebuilder, Ian Hogarth, is a professional architect who owns a thriving practice and this house was designed for his own family home. The decision to use Polarwall was based upon several factors. The ICF system had to have a very low U-value (at Passiv Haus levels), it had to be quick to erect, and cost effective. The insulating formwork also had to have a very high strength to resist the concrete pressure because the construction site is immediately next to both Network Rail and London Underground lines and any spillage of concrete onto the railway lines was unthinkable. The formwork held up superbly to the high internal pressures of a very wet concrete mix, caused by using a special aggregate called Lytag. The concrete pours for the three storeys of the house and the other external walling went absolutely perfectly, except for one small leak at a window opening, caused when the builders decided to use their own method of forming the opening rather than that prescribed by us. This was easily remedied with little drama and hardly any mess but the TV editors tried to make it look like a potential disaster which wasn't the case.

For more information on Polarwall on Grand Designs talk to Polarwall