Brocksbushes Farm Shop, Northumberland - IKO enertherm ALU Floor Insulation
Project Overview
Brocksbushes Farm Shop & Kitchen, a cherished family-owned business in the Northumberland countryside, has evolved from a seasonal nine-week operation into a thriving local attraction.
Since its establishment in 1979, the business has continuously grown and adapted. Following planning permission initially lodged in 2017 and granted in 2020, the business embarked on an ambitious development project to create a state-of-the-art Farm Shop, Courtyard Kitchen and Play Barn.
This significant expansion, unveiled in summer 2024, positions the business for success through the next 40 years and beyond.
Challenges
A key priority for the project was achieving maximum thermal performance and customer comfort through a fabric-first approach to construction.
The flooring solution needed to deliver exceptional durability to withstand heavy footfall while meeting stringent thermal requirements.
These specific needs led architects Rural Solutions Ltd to seek a robust insulation solution that could provide both high compressive strength and superior U-values for the building’s entire lifespan.
Solution
High-performance IKO enertherm ALU was selected as the primary flooring insulation system, offering an impressive compressive strength of 175 KPA. This specification not only ensured maximum thermal efficiency but also guaranteed long-term durability to handle the anticipated footfall throughout the building’s lifetime.
The choice of IKO enertherm ALU brought additional practical benefits to the construction process. Its design allowed for a reduced floor construction depth, minimising the need for excavation work. The system’s lightweight, easy-handling properties enabled rapid installation across large areas, making it particularly suitable for the extensive Brocksbushes project.
The system’s multi-application board delivers an exceptional thermal capability of 0.022 W/m²K, creating a superbly flat foundation for waterproofing finish, while providing flexibility for various airtightness levels, ventilation strategies and heating and hot water approaches.
Installation of 100mm IKO enertherm ALU insulation achieved an impressive U-value of 0.11 W/m²K for the ground floor, exceeding new building regulations and supporting the project’s fabric-first approach.
Project name and location:
Main IKO system:
2,400m2 IKO enertherm ALU Floor Insulation System
Project sector:
Retail & Leisure, Community
Contractor:
Products:
- 100mm IKO enertherm ALU Insulation Board
- 1200-gauge IKO Hyload Damp Proof Membrane
- Vapour Control Layer
- 100mm Concrete Slab (polished finish)
- 150mm consolidated, hardcore base, blinded with 50mm sand blinding
