Premium quality student accommodation is being delivered up and down the UK by teamwork between Torsion Group, Roofdec and Protan.
Torsion’s two most recent projects will together deliver over 260 student bedrooms in the redevelopment of two former office block / commercial sites in Reading and Newcastle. The Reading branch of Roofdec is installing both roofing schemes and features Protan SE1.8mm single ply membrane mechanically-fixed over PIR insulation and Protan PE VCL. In addition, the Newcastle scheme uses 100m2 of green roof, constructed using Protan G membrane prefabricated.
Roofdec’s Jon Barnes Jnr explained: “Although there are former office buildings on both sites, the roofs are, in effect, new-builds. Reading features a new rooftop extension, and Newcastle has been completely redeveloped to create cluster flats and student apartments round a landscaped courtyard.”
Protan SE single ply PVC membrane is available in 1.2mm, 1.6mm and 1.8mm. Hot-air-welded at joints and mechanically fixed to the roof, the membrane achieves air leakage control / minimisation in line with the latest Building Regulations. Protan SE membrane is also certified to deliver and potentially surpass the energy efficiency requirements laid down in Approved Document L.
Protan G membrane is a glass fibre reinforced, microbe durable PVC membrane for gravel ballasted roofs, inverted roofs and green roofs. Protan G membrane can withstand high and low temperatures, as well as attack from microorganisms. Loose–laid, it provides a fast and safe means of creating an FLL–compliant roof.
Protan’s prefabricated solution can be used with any of the company’s membranes. It uses the company’s bespoke Proplan software to calculate the most efficient usage of material in order to minimise waste. The membrane is then manufactured according to the plan and factory–welded in a controlled environment, optimising the integrity and on–site performance of seams. On site, all the contractor has to do is fix along the edges and abutments, and detail round penetrations etc. Research has shown potential savings in labour and time of up to 70%, yet the option is still cost-competitive with conventional rolls of membrane.
Protan single ply membranes have been developed to withstand even the harshest weather conditions found in Europe and are proven, in practice, to perform for 30 years. They are fully BBA certified and offer a full support service, from NBS specification and inhouse CAD design, through to technical advice and variable warranty depending on specification from its UK headquarters and training facility in Warrington.
