Wimpey No Fines: Bettws Estate

As with many social housing estates, a fair proportion of properties are now owner occupied.

The large Bettws Estate in Newport contains a mix of previously painted local authority houses and private houses that had originally been pebble dashed. Newport City Homes approached Wetherby to try find a solution that would allow a blend of the ‘traditional’ with the ‘modern’ and achieve an aesthetic appearance which would make the housing association homes stand out, yet still be sympathetic with their existing environment.

Newport City Homes not only required an insulated render system that met its performance criteria, but also put much emphasis on local delivery and technical support. Being a well established and reputable approved contractor, SERS Cardiff were able to satisfy the client on the application front. Wetherby specified the ‘Epsiwall’ Phenolic Insulation System and together with their locally based technical representative, satisfied the client that the project could be delivered with local hands-on personnel throughout all aspects of the work.

50mm Phenolic insulation was fixed to the Wimpey No Fines substrate which reduced the U-value of the properties from 2.40W/m²K to 0.35W/m²K and will help the residents spend less money on their heating bills in the future.

Wetherby Cream Dashing Mortar with Wetherby Seville Spar Dash was applied to the first floor. To the ground floor a layer of reinforced basecoat was followed by a layer of Wetherby 1.5mm Silicone ‘K’ in cream.

An eye-catching band of Laguna Brick Slips with dark brown pointing mortar was applied at mid floor level between the Spar Dash and Silicone finishes.

Throughout the design of this project the re-building of community spirit was at the forefront of the clients sights. Integration alongside existing homes and the creation of local communities was, and still is, a key issue.