Holistic Solutions for a Healthy Building Envelope

Are pitched roof underlays ‘easy to install’?

The marketing of pitched roof underlays should avoid the phrase ‘easy to install,’ which is subjective and depends on user experience. Pitched roofing is a skilled trade, and suggesting that an underlay is ‘easy’ to install implies it can be done well even with limited experience. For that reason, the phrase features in the document Words and Phrases to Avoid Using, published by the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). Nevertheless, pitched roof underlays can include features and characteristics that make them as user-friendly as possible for experienced installers.

As of May 2025, construction of the new £65 million Currie Community High School in Edinburgh is nearly complete, meaning it can be assessed for Passivhaus certification.

A host of schools currently being built across Scotland are aiming to achieve the standard, many funded in part through the Learning Estates Investment Programme (LEIP). As one of the first recipients of funding, and one of the first projects to reach completion, Currie Community High School will also become one of the country’s first schools to complete the assessment process.

“A key element of the Passivhaus standard is airtightness,” said Cameron Galloway, Site Manager at Kier Construction. “The Proctor Group’s Wraptite® membranes were therefore key products for us.” A preliminary air test carried out in early 2025 achieved a result of 0.44 air changes per hour (ach) – standing the school in good stead to surpass the Passivhaus requirement of 0.6 ach.

Occupants of Moda Living’s 722-home build-to-rent scheme at Great Charles Street in Birmingham will soon enjoy the thermal comfort benefits of airtight building fabric, thanks to installation of the A. Proctor Group’s Procheck® A2 membrane.

The accommodation comprises a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including some penthouses. As of April 2025, work is well under way by Titan Interior Solutions (part of the Horbury Group) to complete the membrane installation as
part of the full internal fit out package on blocks B and C of the project.

A classic Parisian apartment is benefitting from the thermal effectiveness of the introduction of the ultra-thin Spacetherm® WL insulation.

Located in the 11th arrondissement in the heart of Paris on Boulevard Voltaire and overlooking the Place de la Republique, the two-bedroom, 135sqm apartment was built in the Hausmann style. Hausmann’s renovation of Paris was part of a major programme commissioned by Emperor Napoléon III in the late 19th century, resulting in the distinctive appearance of the wide avenues, parks and squares which have become associated with this beautiful city.

Property owner Keirnan Murphy has made a significant investment in the renovation of the apartment to improve overall comfort, energy efficiency and to reduce heating costs.

Are pitched roof underlays ‘easy to install’?

The marketing of pitched roof underlays should avoid the phrase ‘easy to install,’ which is subjective and depends on user experience. Pitched roofing is a skilled trade, and suggesting that an underlay is ‘easy’ to install implies it can be done well even with limited experience. For that reason, the phrase features in the document Words and Phrases to Avoid Using, published by the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). Nevertheless, pitched roof underlays can include features and characteristics that make them as user-friendly as possible for experienced installers.

As of May 2025, construction of the new £65 million Currie Community High School in Edinburgh is nearly complete, meaning it can be assessed for Passivhaus certification.

A host of schools currently being built across Scotland are aiming to achieve the standard, many funded in part through the Learning Estates Investment Programme (LEIP). As one of the first recipients of funding, and one of the first projects to reach completion, Currie Community High School will also become one of the country’s first schools to complete the assessment process.

“A key element of the Passivhaus standard is airtightness,” said Cameron Galloway, Site Manager at Kier Construction. “The Proctor Group’s Wraptite® membranes were therefore key products for us.” A preliminary air test carried out in early 2025 achieved a result of 0.44 air changes per hour (ach) – standing the school in good stead to surpass the Passivhaus requirement of 0.6 ach.

Occupants of Moda Living’s 722-home build-to-rent scheme at Great Charles Street in Birmingham will soon enjoy the thermal comfort benefits of airtight building fabric, thanks to installation of the A. Proctor Group’s Procheck® A2 membrane.

The accommodation comprises a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including some penthouses. As of April 2025, work is well under way by Titan Interior Solutions (part of the Horbury Group) to complete the membrane installation as
part of the full internal fit out package on blocks B and C of the project.

A classic Parisian apartment is benefitting from the thermal effectiveness of the introduction of the ultra-thin Spacetherm® WL insulation.

Located in the 11th arrondissement in the heart of Paris on Boulevard Voltaire and overlooking the Place de la Republique, the two-bedroom, 135sqm apartment was built in the Hausmann style. Hausmann’s renovation of Paris was part of a major programme commissioned by Emperor Napoléon III in the late 19th century, resulting in the distinctive appearance of the wide avenues, parks and squares which have become associated with this beautiful city.

Property owner Keirnan Murphy has made a significant investment in the renovation of the apartment to improve overall comfort, energy efficiency and to reduce heating costs.

Procheck A2, the high-performance fire-resistant vapour control layer system from the A. Proctor Group has been selected as part of a £6bn regeneration project that will create over 10,000 homes in Enfield, London, over the next 20 years.

Leading regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships has been appointed for the first phase of the Meridian Water scheme working in partnership with Enfield Council. Meridian One will see the development of 1,000 new homes with a mixed tenure of private sale, private rent (PRS) and 50% affordable housing spanning 13 blocks ranging in height from four to twelve storeys. In addition, the scheme incorporates 2,235m2 of employment space and over 2 hectares of green, parkland and open space.

Sam Bennett, Commercial Director at SCL LONDON, a Structural Framing Systems and Drylining specialist, commented.“Procheck A2 was selected because it has a Class A2 performance and excellent vapour-controlling properties. In addition, the membrane comes with a high vapour resistance and is airtight, allowing its use as an AVCL.This means that Procheck A2 provides high levels of airtightness which ensures the thermal efficiency of the building.”