The £1.1m contract at Brisbane House and Freemantle House, part of Thurrock District Council’s on-going programme of upgrading all of its social housing stock, was originally due for completion at the end of 2005, but is now set to be completed in just 36-weeks. It involves the installation of brick restraints followed by overcladding with a rendered insulation system.

The brick restraint system comprises the installation of stainless steel straps, spanning vertically between floor levels, as well as a number of additional brick ties inserted into the building’s concrete frame. The insulation system (supplied by Weatherby Building Systems) comprises 6000m² of 90mm thick mineral fibre insulation, which is fixed to the external envelope and covered with glass fibre mesh before receiving a reinforced polymer-modified render, completed with a dry dash spa finish. A 500m² area at the base of the building will receive phenolic insulation and a brick slip finish. In order to minimise disruption to residents, all access is being provided by mast climbers.

CRL has been refurbishing such structures throughout the UK and overseas since 1955. The experience has enabled the company to establish a range of renovation options using either the latest developments in materials and techniques, or tried and tested traditional methods. CRL also works closely with Social Housing landlords to provide an external building refurbishment service that satisfies the Government’s Decent Homes Standard. In addition, the company provides condition surveys, structural repairs, window replacement, roofing works, insulation works and redecoration services.