Marmox Thermoblocks Insulate Tudor Reconstruction

The reconstruction of a rambling old farmyard close to Ely in East Cambridgeshire is making use of well proven Marmox Thermoblocks, specified in three widths as the ideal solution for tackling thermal-bridging around the building perimeter as part of a well-insulated design. Mitchell’s Barn is replacing a sprawling complex of dilapidated tin cowsheds and a rather more attractive oak barn which was founded on a plinth of Tudor era bricks.

The original planning permission allowed for the reconstruction of the latter structure, but when the owner, Ben Hughes came to dismantle the outer envelope, much of the timber was found to be rotten while the bricks showed significant frost-damage. The work which got under way earlier in the autumn, is therefore seeing both 215mm and 140mm wide Thermoblocks being used to support a 800mm high brick base which will then carry the conserved oak beams, creating a traditional looking inner ambience.

Ben Hughes commented: “I have taken responsibility for the design as well as the construction of what will be a four-bedroom, three-bathroom property, as a self-build project with the help of a builder, Peter Axton who I have worked with on previous projects. As it is such an exposed site, the house takes the form of a three-sided courtyard which will shelter the south facing terrace. Primarily a Class Q conversion of an agricultural building into a residential building, the new structure is all single storey, but with a mezzanine to accommodate the plant and services that will include an air source heat pump and MVHR system."

"Essentially, we are rebuilding it at the same scale using the same traditional techniques as the original, with additional oak for the frame coming from a tree felled on the site. In order to meet Building Regulations, we have gone for an insulated cavity wall with 150m of PIR insulation for the floor and roof, but when I was researching how to address the issue of thermal bridging at the floor wall junction, Marmox Thermoblock seemed to be the only targeted product solution. In terms of the loadings and the insulation values I am certain it will work well. It’s a good mix of old and new technologies and I’m very happy with the design overall.”

In total Ben and his bricklayer have used 144 x 140x65mm blocks plus 18 x 100x65mm blocks and 50 x 215x65mm blocks, purchased from Insulation Shop on-line. Bedded in conventional mortar, the stepped overlaps between adjacent Thermoblocks have been secured using a high performance (Sika) adhesive.

Ben concluded saying: “The work is progressing well and my bricklayer, Danny, has had no issues with laying the Thermoblocks or cutting them where it has been necessary. Some of the packages, such as for the windows, are still to be placed, but I am confident of the finished property exceeding the current Building Regulation requirements and making a very comfortable home.” 

He is also consulting with Marmox’s technical department over the use of the company’s even longer established Multiboard thermal tilebacker board and other products for fitting out the bathrooms, including at least one wetroom. With a proven track record going back more than a decade, Thermoblocks are available in widths of 100, 140 and 215mm and feature a unique design where two rows of high strength epoxy concrete mini-columns are encapsulated in sections of XPS (Extruded polystyrene).

They are attached at either end to the top and bottom layers of glass-fibre reinforced polymer concrete to achieve a strong bond with the rest of the structure. As well as being used in basement construction and around the floor-wall junction – supporting timber frame as well as masonry walls – Thermoblocks regularly feature at first floor level and beneath parapet walls. They are further employed for swimming pool construction. www.marmox.co.uk

Marmox Multiboard Used By NE Renovation Specialist To Tackle Damp And Cold

A highly experienced contractor, specialising in energy upgrade refurbishments, underfloor heating and heating installations, has cited ease of installation, as well as the waterproofing and high insulation values of Marmox Multiboard, for his practice of using the coated XPS boards for all of his bathroom fit-outs and many other projects.

Richard Percy, a former firefighter, who has been carrying out challenging contracts across the country for the past 15 years and trading as RDP Solutions, recounts: “I work across the North-East and the country as a whole, for underfloor heating and greywater recycling and I have made it my speciality to take on refurbishments which other people say can’t be done!  In the case of the very old building where I am currently working in Mitford, Northumberland, the place had been very badly rebuilt in the past, with poor installation to the vaulted ceiling, no cavity closers and all of the pipework run under the floors. In addition, chipboard flooring had been laid over battens on out-of-level concrete."

"This required a full strip out to enable the installation of underfloor heating. Overlapping layers of Kingspan were installed in the roof-space and different thicknesses of Marmox Multiboard installed across the walls and floors in all the rooms. For example, I uprated all the window reveals using 12.5 mm Multiboard.” 

During the rebuild, all of the pipework for the plumbing was relocated within the studwork, to allow the Uponor minitec underfloor heating system to be laid across a 40 mm thickness of Multiboards. This ensured the maximum amount of heat was delivered to the occupied room above, creating much improved comfort levels for the occupants.  Interestingly, as a proponent of hydronic underfloor heating, he has also adopted the practice of extending it beneath the actual shower tray: in this case, one of Marmox’s own linear wetroom trays.  Other products from the Marmox range employed on the contract include the jointing tape, 360 adhesive and special washers for installation of the different thicknesses of Multiboard. Richard concludes:

“I use Multiboard for all my bathrooms – virtually every job I do – primarily for their waterproofing performance, but also because they significantly reduce heat loss and are very straightforward to cut and fit.  A lot of people go for a cement-based product in bathrooms, but Multiboard is better and easier to install and in new-build situations it also meets the NHBC guidance.”

Marmox Multiboards are manufactured from extruded polystyrene or XPS encapsulated in reinforced polymer concrete, produced in a range of thicknesses up to 60mm and offer a variety of positive physical characteristics in addition to being fully waterproof.  They are both light to handle and easy to cut, while still being able to sustain substantial loadings if required, such as for flooring applications. They further offer good thermal insulation performance, helping to cut condensation risk. Full packs of Multiboard and the ancillary products from the Marmox range were all purchased through the local branch of MKM Building Supplies.  

www.marmox.co.uk

Marmox Multiboard Specified Throughout North-East Leisure Complex

Highly versatile Marmox Multiboards from the Marmox range are being installed to create a stable tiling substrate throughout Highlight, the new Active Wellbeing Hub which is currently being built by Wates on behalf of Hartlepool Borough Council. Due for completion in Q1 2026 and replacing the Borough’s ageing Mill House facility, the state-of-the-art Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub will provide the local community with a 25m main pool, smaller learner pool with moveable floor, and a leisure pool, plus multi-purpose studios, fitness suite gymnasium and other spaces.

While the exterior styling by the specialist consultancy, GT3, makes maximum use of natural daylighting, extensive areas internally are being clad in high quality ceramic tiling: all supported by 1250 x 600 x 12.5mm Multiboards secured across the interior of the main structural framework.  The tiling sub-contract, along with installing all the internal drainage system, screeding and application of mastic pointing, is being undertaken by P. Plunkett Tiling Contractors, based in the Tyne Valley, in a package valued in excess of £1 million.

The Contracts Manager for P. Plunkett Tiling, Ryan Burr commented: “We are currently tiling areas like the corridors, two large changing facilities and a dozen individual lavatories, before we move on to the main pool enclosures and further ancillary areas, where the tiling rises to a height of four metres.  We like to use Marmox Multiboard to create a stable surface for tiling, in place of plasterboard or render, and put the product forward for this project.  We have been using Multiboard for more than a decade now as it gives you a far better level of control over the quality of the tiled backgrounds."  "

Generally, we use the thicknesses up to 12.5mm along with the plugs and tapes, as well as the Marmox 3600 as a movement joint.”  Ryan summed up saying: “Covering the full scope of commercial work – including everything from schools and hotels through to airports – we frequently also call on Marmox to create a spec’ for us to work to – and on this job we worked closely with the architect, GT3, who we have also been involved with before.  Multiboard has always proved a good and reliable product for us and we are confident in recommending it to our clients.”

Marmox Multiboards are manufactured from extruded polystyrene or XPS encapsulated in reinforced polymer concrete, produced in a range of thicknesses up to 60mm and offer a variety of positive physical characteristics in addition to being fully waterproof.  They are both light to handle and easy to cut, while still being able to sustain substantial loadings if required, such as for flooring applications.  They further offer good thermal insulation performance, helping to cut condensation risk. www.marmox.co.uk