To operate as a certified external wall insulation GDI, companies must demonstrate that they employ a workforce that is competent in the application of each specific EWI system used, regardless of the manufacturer. This can be achieved through training and the achievement of qualifications to meet PAS 2030 certification. The preferred route is through NVQ qualifications for existing EWI operatives and tradespeople, such as plasterers and dryliners, up-skilling to EWI application. This training also attracts government funding and results in a lifetime qualification in Insulation & Building Treatments in EWI. 

A GDI also requires assessment from the manufacturer of the EWI system they intend to install. Saint-Gobain Weber will carry out competency assessments of individual operatives; either on-site or at the customer's own premises, through their national team of Application Managers and issue EWI Assessed Operative ID cards. The cards can be used in assessment visits by Certification Bodies as part of the site auditing process. 

Specialist training courses aligned to Green Deal and PAS 2030 requirements have been designed to support the government's expected growth in the EWI market and are available through the network of Saint-Gobain Technical Academies, located across the country; Weber assessment days can also be hosted at these sites. 

"It is important that installers participate in a robust scheme that stipulates high standards for everyone involved," says James Mead, marketing manager, Saint-Gobain Weber, "and the development of a trained workforce is vital to the success of the Green Deal. 

"Operatives working on installations must be able to demonstrate competence in techniques as assessed on site by the Certification Body and by Saint-Gobain Weber as the system designer." 

Saint-Gobain Weber is working closely with certificated organisations including BBA, EST and STROMA to support the installer and with CITB- ConstructionSkills to ensure the correct training is made available. 

On stand F16, immediately opposite the Community Café, Saint-Gobain Weber will display an outstanding selection of External Wall Insulation (EWI) systems targeted at landlords in the social housing and refurbishment sector. The BBA certificated and Energy Saving Trust recommended EWI systems set an industry benchmark and will be showcased with supporting samples in a variety of finishes including scraped, dash, spray roughcast, synthetic, render brick and brick slips. 

While high performance, award-winning weber.therm XP EWI is capable of improving thermal efficiency with U-values of 0.3W/m²K or considerably lower, the system is responsible for achieving substantial improvement in the aesthetics of Britain's aging housing stock. It extends the life of existing buildings, particularly hard-to-treat properties, by keeping the old structure warm and stable. 

The weber.therm XP EWI system when used in conjunction with weber.therm M1, the revolutionary one-coat, through-colour mineral render, dramatically reduces on-site labour and associated access costs in comparison with a traditional two-coat system. Recent improvements to this specially formulated, one-coat render, allows it to work in harmony with seasonal conditions achieving a same-day finish in the summer and a next-day finish in the winter. Suitable for spray or hand application, weber.therm M1 is algae and impact resistant. 

weber.therm EWI is the versatile solution for non-traditional housing types such as No Fines, Airey and Trusteel constructions, both low and high rise, and is eligible under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) programme for Green Deal financing. Saint-Gobain Weber can help and advise on the funding procedure as part of a full service support package. This includes technical back up to ensure correct specification and performance with on-site inspection, supervision and training. 

The new everything-you-need-to-know External Wall Insulation Refurbishment Guide will be launched on stand F16 together with the inspirational Colour Guide which features a new range of over 250 colours for EWI and basecoat renders. The company's new colour facility has been installed in two of their manufacturing plants in Telford and Ballyclare, NI. This localised supply confirms the company's sustainability commitments helping to reduce transportation and CO₂ emissions, whilst ensuring product conformity and efficient delivery schedules.

Located at 95 Great Portland Street, London, the Saint-Gobain Innovation Centre showcases the latest solutions for a more sustainable built environment from the company's UK businesses, including Saint-Gobain Weber.

Innovations on display include the award winning weber.therm XP external wall insulation system which uses weber.therm M1 mesh-reinforced, one-coat, through-coloured render. This high performance system is BBA accredited, provides dramatically improved levels of thermal performance and requires little maintenance. The high performance monocouche render weber.pral M which carries the A+ Green Guide Rating as defined in the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to Specification that incorporates One-Coat Technology is also showcased. Saint-Gobain Weber's innovative tile adhesives and grouts were applied throughout the building including weber.floor flex and weber.set rapid SPF with Low Dust Technology™ and the water-repellent, flexible tile grout weber.joint pro with Mould Stop Technology. 

The Centre also features products and systems from Artex, British Gypsum, Ecophon, Saint-Gobain Glass, Glassolutions, Saint-Gobain Isover, Saint-Gobain PAM, Pasquill and Sage highlighting the breadth and depth of materials offered and distributed by Saint-Gobain. 

As well as demonstrating how products and systems work in practice, the venue is designed to inspire visitors to consider new solutions that correspond with the market needs of today and tomorrow, bringing together influential industry thought leaders to help drive evolution and innovation. 

Facilities at the Centre include a product and materials 'library', collaborative work spaces and two meeting rooms. Offering open plan or private space, the meeting rooms are available for meetings, conferences, launches and receptions and can be booked by contacting the Saint-Gobain Innovation Centre directly. 

Saint-Gobain has a long history of innovation. It was founded in 1665 to deliver a world first: the production of glass on an industrial scale for the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. Today it operates in 64 countries worldwide and is at the forefront of sustainable development, investing over £416-million globally in R&D and applying for more than 400 patents in the last financial year.

Speaking at the launch, Pierre-André de Chalendar said: "With this new Innovation Centre, Saint-Gobain opens up to professionals with a global vision of our market to help develop and stimulate research. This Innovation Centre reflects our ambition: to become the reference for sustainable habitat, bringing innovative solutions to meet the main challenges of our time." 

The launch of the Colour Guide is partnered with the introduction of a new state of the art colour matching and tinting system improving accuracy and efficiency. The current alphanumerical colour coding system is replaced with memorable names which are divided into four colourful seasons: Petit Pois and Oyster Shell are featured in the Spring collection; Banana Split and Carrot Cake in Summer; Cappuccino and Portobello in Autumn and Norwegian Breeze and Frosty Morning in Winter. 

"When it comes to creating an attractive façade our high performance synthetic finishes really deliver," says James Mead, marketing manager, Weber. "Colour, form and texture are the basic criteria that specifiers require to transform a building and bring it alive. We can help to achieve this in new build and refurbishment projects without any compromise in quality, performance and durability." 

Choosing the right colour for a building can take time. Computer generated images or digital overlays on photographs offer an insight and a quick and simple solution can be found on the weber.app using the colour consultant to review potential colour choices. 

"Colour appearance can vary depending on substrate, surface finish and orientation," continues James Mead, "and the fundamental difference in the characteristics of cementitious and synthetic products can make a difference so it's really important to request samples that show colour and texture on every specification." 

Weber's new colour facility will be installed in two of their manufacturing plants in Telford and Ballyclare, NI, with production from April 2013. This localised supply confirms the company's sustainability commitments helping to reduce transportation and CO₂ emissions, whilst ensuring product conformity and efficient delivery schedules.

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In the construction industry, time is money so why wait unnecessarily on site when the improved weber.therm XP, with innovative technology that allows the product to work in harmony with seasonal conditions, can save valuable time by minimising the installation schedule. This development allows contractors to scrape the render to a same day finish in the summer and achieve a next day finish in the winter, resulting in shorter programme periods, fewer on-site hours and allowing faster access to other trades. 

Saint-Gobain Weber have also taken the opportunity to improve the algae resistance of the product and make weber.therm M1 even easier to apply by machine or hand. "We have worked with our applicators to maximise efficiency on site with stunning effects," says James Mead, Head of Product Management. "These innovative changes really do reiterate why weber.therm XP is a market leading EWI system. The specifier, contractor or client, can confidently choose weber.therm XP for use in new build and refurbishment schemes regardless of size, height or exposure. This is due to the system's exceptional thermal performance, impact resistance and wind-loading capabilities, and now the improved formulation means that less time is spent on site, especially during adverse weather conditions." 

weber.therm XP's unique system uses a specially designed one-coat, through-colour mineral render which speeds up application and significantly reduces on-site labour and associated access costs. The new render formulation with innovative technology continues to improve this feature, reducing waiting time on site. While this high performance system is capable of improving thermal efficiency with U-values well below the 0.3W/m²K standard, contributing to reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the system is responsible for substantial improvement in the aesthetics of Britain's aging housing stock. The system extends the life of existing buildings, especially so-called hard-to-treat properties, by keeping the old structure warm and stable. 

weber.therm XP is a layered system which is quick and easy to install. The insulant is applied in the appropriate thickness to meet the specified U-value, which Saint-Gobain Weber's technical team will calculate for you. This is mechanically fixed to a sound substrate with high strength, thermal-break fixings and finished with weber.therm M1 render, containing mesh-cloth reinforcement, in a variety of colours and textures. The weber.therm XP EWI system is further supported by BBA Certification offering peace of mind to the architect, contractor and tenant. 

Saint-Gobain Weber offers a comprehensive package of Technical Support Services and can advise on the most appropriate weber.therm EWI system for a project, provide U-value and condensation risk analysis, and offer a full Site Application Guide outlining every stage of the process, as well as on-site inspection. Saint-Gobain Weber can also recommend applicators from a nationwide register of trained installers. Both social and private landlords may be eligible for government funding support and Saint-Gobain Weber can assist in this process by helping with the administration associated with applying for and securing funding. 

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Created by Saint-Gobain Weber, market leader in the formulation and manufacture of innovative materials in the external wall insulation, render, tile fixing, flooring and construction mortars sectors, the weber.app is perfect for specifiers, main contractors, applicators and fixers who need instant access to comprehensive product information. From BBA and Energy Saving Trust accredited external wall insulation to BRE Green Guide approved renders, the weber.app is a reference guide in your pocket. 

With an easy-to-use intuitive interface the weber.app offers time saving functionality that includes technical data, product features and benefits across the entire Saint-Gobain Weber product range as well as a useful Consumption Calculator and Find a Stockist (by map and postcode) facilities. A helpful Problem Solutions section provides practical and helpful advice for busy professionals and tradesmen, while YouTube hosted ' How To' videos illustrate the practical application and best use of Saint-Gobain Weber solutions. A calendar facility can also be used to remind users of the latest trade shows, exhibitions and events throughout the year and a news feed of case studies and projects.

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Using modern architectural images, captioned with client, architect and installer details together with a wide range of colour, texture and decorative finishes illustrate how new-build and retrofit projects can achieve powerful and dynamic aesthetics in the use of render on the façade. 

This guide has been designed to inspire you - our customer - with the use photographic case studies which focus on the exceptional quality and finish of Weber render solutions.  The guide highlights how the best use of our extensive range of systems will contribute to the visual drama and aesthetics of the many stunning buildings in our project portfolio.  Sympathetic colours from a vast pallet of shades complement existing and new neighbourhood landscapes while interesting finishes provide essential variety. 

Snap shot information about these inspiring projects have been given detailing the problems faced and overcome with Weber’s extensive product range and approved installer network

The accompanying Weber Render Solutions Technical guide is currently being updated and is due for publication later this year which will provide guidance on the correct technical solution for specific applications.

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The versatile, award-winning Saint-Gobain Weber EWI systems uses various types of insulation, but EPS has played an important part in the successful aesthetic and thermal upgrade of hard-to-treat solid wall properties for many years offering an efficient, reliable and economical solution.  The new grade polystyrene boards, grey in colour due to the graphite content, provide improved performance levels achieving a lambda value of 0.030 W/mK against the 0.038 W/mK value of white EPS boards.   

Thinner grey boards can achieve the same U-value as a thicker white board so requiring less insulation by volume.  For example, a 110mm thick white EPS board can be replaced with 80mm thick grey board and still achieve the same performance value.  Shorter fixings and narrower full system beads will add to this saving while applicators will find that the lightweight thinner grey boards are easier to detail around windows and openings making fitting and installation simpler, another important factor contributing to greater savings and reduced project costs.  

Grey EPS boards offer excellent and consistent thermal performance and are produced in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 13163 – Thermal Insulation Products for Buildings.  They have an A+ BRE Green Guide to Specification rating contributing to essential eco points in materials credits in a Code for Sustainable Homes assessment.  

weber.therm grey EPS boards are available in a standard size and in a range of 20 – 200mm thicknesses.  The choice of insulant is dependent on the thickness of the board which can be accommodated and Saint-Gobain Weber will calculate the correct product specification and system to meet the target U-value in each project.  Under the Decent Homes programme, and more recently under energy supplier-obligated schemes such as CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target programme) and the solid wall community scheme known as CESP (Community Energy Saving Programme), funding opportunities will continue with the introduction of the ECO programme which will combine with Green Deal financing to open up the market for private and rented sectors.

A link to the store can also be found at www.netweber.co.uk/weberapp

Targeting specifiers, main contractors, applicators and fixers, the weber.app provides instant access to comprehensive product information - from BBA accredited external wall insulation to BRE Green Guide approved renders, commercial floor screeds, concrete repair systems and tile prep and fix technologies.  

With an easy-to-use intuitive interface the weber.app offers time saving functionality that includes technical data, product features and benefits across the entire Saint-Gobain Weber product range as well as a useful Consumption Calculator facility and Finding a Stockist (by map and postcode) using Google maps.  A helpful Problem Solving chapter provides practical and helpful solutions for busy professionals and tradesmen while YouTube hosted How To videos illustrate the most practical application and best use of Saint-Gobain Weber products and materials, technologies and systems.  A calendar facility can also be used to remind users of the latest trade shows, exhibitions and events throughout the year and a news feed of case studies and projects.  

Requesting a call-back on the Contacts Page, for advice on any aspect of product selection or application, can be made before placing an order direct with the distributor or stockist, helping customers to make purchasing decisions quickly, efficiently and accurately.  

“As iPhones are widely used the weber.app is one of the most practical and trouble free ways of making product selections and placing an order,” says Mark Weaver, Marketing Manager, Saint-Gobain Weber.  “You can even visit the Colour Consultant function where you can choose a project image from our library and apply an accurate and true-to-life colour representation across selected product ranges to help create a truly inspirational finish.”

On stand N310 visitors will find displays of the award-winning, BBA certificated weber.therm External Wall Insulation systems, BRE A+ Green Guide rated monocouche renders, the first from any manufacturer, innovative concrete repair systems, new technologies in the tiling range, including Low Dust, and inspirational case studies in which weber.floor products have been architecturally specified for superb performance and aesthetics.  

The Fabric first area, sponsored by Saint-Gobain, will feature six typical residential new build external fabric solutions where existing construction materials will be used through live demonstrations.  It will show how best practice and simple changes to building techniques can result in significant improvements in energy performance.

The pre-blended weber.rend dash is designed to receive a dry-dash finish in just one coat, which avoids the drying times associated with a traditional two-coat system.  Allowing faster application with shorter programme periods and on-site hours, the associated cost of site scaffolding is greatly reduced.  This allows other trades to gain access more quickly and completion of ground works can take place sooner.  

weber.rend dash is factory-produced in the UK for consistency and supplied ready-mixed.  It requires only the addition of clean water on-site making preparation quick and easy.  The product is suitable for hand or machine application, which adds greatly to site efficiencies.  weber.rend dash is available in three colours: white, cream and grey, and is supplied in 25kg bags.

weber.rend dash can be applied to most prepared masonry substrates that have a good key, however weber.rend aid, a polymer-modified cement and sand mix blend, will provide an artificial key on substrates such as smooth concrete.  weber.rend aid is also ideal as a pre-treatment for renderings required to resist severe exposure conditions.

The Weber Highway Ironwork Bedding System meets the requirements established by the Highways Agency Guidance Notes HA 104/09 and HD 27/04. weber.cem 104 mortar and weber.cem pyracrete have been tested and are fully compliant with these specifications. Many contractors are starting to use these products in new manhole constructions and for much needed repairs to meet utility customers’ adopted standards.

A major failure of inspection chamber access covers is the collapse of the frame bedding material caused by repeated loading fatigue coupled with frost attack. Safety and damage claims have resulted from collapsed manholes and there is increasing demand by utilities for a fast, reliable and durable repair system. The new Weber Highway Ironwork Bedding System meets this challenge and provides the perfect consistency to support even heavyweight frames.

Weber’s iron-frame bedding and infill products develop compressive strength of 20N/mm² within two hours of application and exceed 30N/mm² in three hours. weber.cem 104 mortar, the first mortar incorporating Hybrid Cement Technology was specially developed for manhole frame bedding. It gives a useful working time enabling full bedding buts sets rapidly thereafter. This product has good “squeezability” enabling accurate level alignment.

weber.cem pyracrete is a cement-based single component concrete used for infilling around the cover frames that sets in 10 minutes. All Weber bedding and repair products are low-shrink thus avoiding the risk of loose framework caused when traditional sand and cement dries. The latest products can be used all year round even in cold weather.

The complete Weber Highway Ironwork Bedding System features seven advanced technical products, four ironwork bedding products, the new weber.cem pyracrete rapid setting infill concrete and two types of pavement repair concrete.  For manhole frame bedding the inventory includes the new weber.cem 104 mortar which sets in 15 minutes; weber.tec bedding mortar is a polyester resin based two part product with rapid 30 minute setting time; weber.cem pyrabed T60 and weber.cem pyrabed T90 with 60 and 90 minute setting time respectively. All these products exceed the Highways Agency standards of performance as does the new weber.cem pyracrete infill concrete with rapid 10 minute setting time. For concrete pavement repairs weber.cem pyrapatch is a polymer modified cement based single component product that sets in three hours and weber.cem pyratop is a cement based single component repair concrete that sets in six hours for fast repairs to concrete pavements.

Saint-Gobain Weber has a global reputation for technical concrete repair products of which the Highway Ironwork Bedding System is an increasingly important market category. Weber estimates that this sector of the utilities repair operations for manholes, cable ducts and pipework requires several thousand tonnes of specialised materials per year with a current estimated market sales value of nearly £10 million.  

This qualification represents a landmark in the industry as the assessment covers all major insulation types – polystyrene, mineral fibre and phenolic – for the weber.therm M1 render, mesh-reinforced system. The certification covers both new build projects, using various types of construction methods, as well as for the refurbishment of existing buildings.  This is applicable to low rise, traditional or non-traditional construction, or high rise multi-occupancy buildings.  

“The specifier, contractor or client, can confidently choose weber.therm XP for use on refurbishment schemes regardless of the size, height or exposure due to the system’s market-leading characteristics in relation to fire performance, impact resistance and windloading capabilities,” comments Wilson Millar, Weber’s Product Manager for External Wall Insulation systems.

As a result of the energy saving initiatives funded by the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) aimed at the solid wall hard-to-treat housing stock, the use of EWI is predicted to grow significantly.  The BBA has developed a robust process for assessing manufacturers systems and Weber’s unique one-coat technology in the weber.therm XP system is the first to pass these rigorous assessments, the results of which set a benchmark standard for the industry.  

In terms of fire performance, the weber.therm XP system with polystyrene (weber.therm EPS) or phenolic (weber.therm PHS) insulation are classified as Class B-s1, d0 or ‘low risk’. When incorporating mineral fibre (weber.therm MFD) insulation; weber.therm XP is classified as Class A2-s1, d0 or ‘non-combustible’ – this important result means that the system can be used in any situation regardless of height, or proximity to a boundary, and is a market-leading classification for the industry.  

Impact resistance is important for low rise solutions and here the weber.therm XP system provides high levels of weather protection combined with high impact resistance. When tested during the BBA certification assessment, the system met the requirement for use in Category 1 – which quite simply underlines the materials’ capacity to withstand hard body impacts.

The system also has no restriction in its use in areas of high or severe exposure.  weber.therm XP can be designed to resist wind loads and rainfall at all levels of exposure from Sheltered to Very Severe locations.  

weber.therm XP uses a specially designed thick one-coat, through-colour mineral render which speeds application and significantly reduces on-site labour and associated access costs.  While this high performance system is capable of improving thermal efficiency with U-values well below the 0.35W/m²K standard, contributing to reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions, the system is responsible for massive improvement in the aesthetics of Britain’s aging housing stock.  The system extends the life of existing buildings, especially so-called hard to heat properties, by keeping the old structure warm and stable.  The low maintenance through-colour render is available in a range of attractive colours with mineral scraped, mineral textured or dry dash aggregate finishes.

weber.therm XP is a layered system which is quick and easy to install.  The insulant is applied in the appropriate thickness to meet the specified U-value which Weber’s technical team will calculate.  This is mechanically fixed to a sound substrate with high strength, thermal-break fixings and finished with weber.therm M1 render with meshcloth reinforcement, in a variety of colours and textures.  

“We have worked with many significant housing associations in the rejuvenation of their housing stock,” continues Wilson Millar, “including the Shropshire Housing Group who have an inventory of nearly 4.5million properties; Cross Keys Homes who are improving some 600 homes in the Peterborough area; the Changing Streets programme in Goole, and many more.  We are really making a difference in these locations.”  

Weber offer a comprehensive package of Technical Support Services and will advise on the most appropriate weber.therm EWI system for a project; provide U-value and condensation risk analyses; provide a full Site Application Guide outlining every stage of the process, as well as on-site inspection. Weber can also recommend applicators from a nationwide register of trained installers.  Both social and private landlords may be eligible for government funding support and Weber can assist in this process by helping with the administration associated with applying for and securing funding.                   

In the modernisation of Peterborough’s 1950’s homes, originally constructed to house evacuated Londoner’s which were, at that time, labelled ‘temporary’, are now receiving a total facelift.  Some 60 years later, a major refurbishment project is underway to bring these Cross Keys Homes closer to today’s standard of thermal performance.  A key factor in this plan is the use of the weber.therm External Wall Insulation (EWI) system.  

Nearly 600 homes are undergoing improvements by housing association Cross Keys Homes in a multi-million pound project that has benefited from £1m of support secured by Weber from the CERT funding initiative.  Main contractor Mears has renewed roofs, fascias and soffits with specialist applicators, Retrofit Limited and Lawtec Limited, handling the £3.73 million weber.therm External Wall Insulation (EWI) system installation.  

Here a variety of different finishes are being used with the versatile weber.therm EWI system to allow properties to keep their original character while achieving visual variety.  To date, and over several phases, this has included weber.therm XM which uses through coloured, decorative and weather resistant render to the insulation system while other properties have been finished with a real brick appearance in weber.therm RB.  

Striking results have been achieved using weber.rend RB which produces a superb brick look-alike finish in just a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of full brickwork cladding. weber.rend RB is the combination of two polymer modified mortars used in conjunction to create the brick work pattern.  Alternatively, a real brick finish is available from Weber and can be achieved using weber.therm XB.  

Insulation is fixed to the original substrate of the building followed by a basecoat render with meshcloth reinforcement. Once set, the surface is lightly comb scratched prior to the application of the weber.rend RBB render coat which acts as the “mortar” joint and is available in eight different colours.

When the RBB coat has “taken-up” and is firm enough to allow application of the face coat, 2–3mm of weber.rend RBF is applied and stippled with a soft bristle brush to give the “brick” effect finish. Eight different colours of face render are available, allowing the client to replicate almost any brick and mortar combination which is particularly important when matching in with existing properties.  

The brick pattern is achieved by cutting through the weber.rend RBF face coat to expose the contrasting RBB render thus creating the attractive brick pattern finish. What’s neat about the system is that any brick pattern can be achieved including conventional ‘cavity’ layout as well as ‘header and stretcher’ bonding of traditional solid walls. Correctly applied this system is often mistaken for high quality bricklaying - even by experienced tradesmen!  

The weber.rend RB brick effect render system, used as part of the weber.therm XM EWI system, is transforming both the aesthetics and thermal efficiency of non-traditional and solid wall homes in Peterborough.  

The dramatic changes to the aesthetics of these Peterborough homes are matched by the changes in performance.  Householders report new levels of warmth and comfort.  The original prefabricated steel shell bungalows on Welland Close for example had no insulation at all other than the plaster board lining for the room interiors.  In winter the steel is ice cold and in summer heat radiates off the metal internally making this one of the most uncomfortable construction methods ever.  Residents are now reporting that not only are their homes much quieter inside but the properties are far warmer, contributing dramatically to reduced heating costs in winter, while aesthetically they have changed beyond compare.