A new timber frame construction was erected adjacent to the older cottage and within 20m of the sea - this challenging location has meant that superior building protection solutions were chosen to ensure long term building security.

The Ampack Airtight system was achieved to enerphit levels of airtightness and to manage vapour in the building. External and internal systems were supplied by Ampack care of Partel which essentially ensures the structure avails of the market leading 10 year warranty by Ampack  

Specialist insulation materials were also used to improve the performance. Cellulose insulation pumped at 65kg/m3 was used in the exterior timber frame walls with 100mm of Woodfibre insulation outside of this. The internal service cavity has 50mm flexible woodfibre insulation (both woodfibre and cellulose are used to keep the house cool in the summer).

Thermal bridging was addressed in all areas using Compacfoam underneath the timberframe and doors and the entire roof has woodfibre insulation over the rafters. Heico fixings were used throughout.

The LUNOS decentralised heat recovery ventilation system was chosen due to guaranteed low sound levels, ease of installation and low running costs. We also used the smart LUNOTHERM element.

Internally the soundproofing of floors used a combination the Idikell system from Ampack and 20mm of rigid high density woodfibre insulation.

The project has finished and the results in terms of location and comfort are exceptional.

(Airtightness, Thermal bridging, Windows and Insulation are all in keeping with many passive house projects recently undertaken but certification was not a requirement from the clients. Building performance and comfort were the primary factors)

Project management, specification and supervision by Corbwell Design. Low energy materials and specification by Partel. Original architectural design by others.

Ampack’s BBA certification includes Ampack’s internal system -Ampatex DB 90 airtightness vapour check,  The range of associated Ampack tapes is also listed as ancillary parts in the certificate. This certificate is the first in a new range of certification for Ampack.

DB90 BBA Certificate

The entire Ampack range comes with a unique ten year warranty. Ampack’s guarantee covers not just the replacement cost of materials but also any associated damages and the cost of any repairs, which makes it unique in the market. This warranty is particularly pertinent as Architects and Engineers assume greater levels of responsibility when certifying. The use of the Ampack system can essentially provide security over the building fabric.

Established in 1946, Swiss supplier Ampack is a market leader in building envelope protection products, and was reportedly the first company to commercially produce vapour checks. As a result Ampack have products installed and tested for over 35 years.

Ampack have been at the forefront of building protection systems for decades and have developed a name stands for high quality proven product’s. Ampack offer one of the largest ranges of airtight systems including a range of Butyl, Nail seal, UV stable tapes and a new SD variable membrane Variano – Another innovative product with a new type of surface designed for increased adhesion.

The Ampack Market leading 10 year warranty covers the cost of removal of all affected material, as well as the replacement of all damaged materials.

10 reasons for an airtight House

1. In the case of new buildings a permanent, airtight layer is now essentially a requirement.
2. New building regulations ensure that the assigned certifier must have correct detailing to avoid future construction damage
3. No draughts
4. Lower heating costs
5. No condensation in the construction
6. No mould formation
7. No damage to the building
8. Clear improvement in the quality of air in the rooms
9. Clear improvement in sound insulation
10. Ventilation systems work highly efficiently

These days, homeowners and clients expect more in terms of quality in their  homes. In particular, they pay special attention to their climate: It has to be comfortable, It should not damp or too dry and the energy costs must be kept within reason. In other words: Everything should be right, with no ifs or buts. Which is one more reason why the construction of new buildings should always be airtight.

Build well, build airtight

Heat loss due to a lack of airtightness is extremely expensive and can potentially cause great damage. The installation of a high quality airtight layer protects both your wallet and the value of the building. The amortisation of the investment over many years is clearly more relevant here than the short-term cost considerations.

Even the smallest joints and tears in the building shell can cause disastrous amounts of damage to a house and result in clearly escalating energy costs.

Construction Damage

Thermography: Blue = heat loss
resulting from ventilation = increase
in energy consumption and structural
damage.

Mould formation within a multi-layer
structural component.

Partel are the exclusive Irish and UK agent for the Ampack range of airtightness, wind-tightness, and building protection products. Ampack was founded in 1946 and is one of Europes most established specialist membrane and tape manufacturers.

“Our Ampack products offer a complete building protection system, from radon membranes to airtight membranes, tapes, adhesives, and wind-tight membranes, and Ampack’s unique 10 year guarantee ensures customers confidence in our range” .

Achieving airtightness for the new building regulations. 

At Partel we have worked on a standardisation of robust airtight details designed to ensure the following: -

1. Compliance with building regulations
2. Quality detailing to achieve excellent blower door results

Our details when applied correctly will always exceed the current building regulations and achieve lower than 0.6 air changes – the passive house standard

All of construction drawings are  available for free download at the links below

• Ampack Masonry construction details
• Ampack Timber frame construction details
• Tender Text External Systems
• Tender Text External Systems

Auto cad drawings available on request – contact us here 

At Partel we have worked on a standardisation of robust airtight details designed to ensure the following: -

1. Compliance with building regulations
2. Quality detailing to achieve excellent blower door results

Our details when applied correctly will always exceed the current building regulations and achieve lower than 0.6 air changes – the passive house standard

All of construction drawings are  available for free download at the links below

• Ampack Masonry construction details
• Ampack Timber frame construction details
• Tender Text External Systems
• Tender Text Internal systems

Auto cad drawings available on request – contact us here 

Ampack – The Air-tight and Wind-tight Systems Specialist

Builders, having very high standards when it comes to their own homes, especially with regard to the living environment, acknowledge the importance of air-tightness and wind-tightness. The house should be comfortable, not too damp or dry, and energy costs should be reasonable.

The Whole Is Always Greater Than The Sum of Its Parts

For 60 years now, Ampack has been developing systems and solutions that safely and professionally resolve all the problems associated with protecting the building envelope. Good products alone are not enough. This principle guides the continuous development of our product range and the design of our services. An air-tight and wind-tight building envelope can only be ensured if the products are installed correctly. This puts professional tradesmen in a tricky situation: new designs and construction products are constantly flooding the market making it more and more difficult for contractors to maintain an overview and become skilled at installing the products correctly.

Ampack offers more than just high-quality products. Professional tradesmen and specialist retailers who choose our services will benefit from our comprehensive building expertise, as well as:

- Our insulation-neutral product range

- Technical advice, including a phone hotline

- 10-year warranty

- Customer training

Training

During our training courses, participants learn how to use Ampack products safely and are provided with the knowledge necessary to answer the most important questions regarding safety standards, air- and wind-tightness, and application engineering. We seek to establish a direct dialogue with our partners. After all, who better to judge a product than someone who works with it every day? Your opinion is important to us and your input goes directly towards improving and enhancing our products. Training courses can be held either at our head office or at our partners’ premises. Contact us for available course dates.

10-year warranty

Warranties are a dime a dozen. But upon closer inspection, many warranties aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. That’s why you should always read the small print. With Ampack, a tradesman can claim on our comprehensive warranty at any time within ten years of buying the product from a specialist retailer, provided that the terms and conditions are met. In an emergency, the claim will be processed quickly and competently by our technical advisers. Our warranty has been designed with your needs in mind and we’ve taken the broader context into consideration. We not only cover the replacement materials, but also the removal and installation costs, as well as any subsequent damages. In other words, you can count on Ampack.