JUST THE FIT FOR LANDMARK RESIDENCE

When it came to replacing the roofing of one of Scotland’s most iconic buildings, the specification of materials was of paramount importance. Therefore, to eliminate roof ponding and potential water ingress, Eurothane Eurodeck byGradient, the UK’s leading manufacturer of tapered roof insulation, was specified as the ideal solution.

Bernat Klein House in High Sunderland, Selkirk, set in three acres of glorious Scottish countryside, is a triumphant example of mid-20^th century architectural enterprise. Built in 1957 and designed by renowned modernist architect Peter Womersley, the open plan, single-storey property offers a stylish lesson in how to introduce an expansive feel to a house with a relatively small floor area.

The rectangular-shaped building, originally commissioned by Serbian textile designer Bernat Klein, is essentially subdivided into 8ft modules. The continuous, walk-through design includes four bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a dining area. Such is the exceptional nature of the property's architecture it has Category A listing – the highest grade of listing given by Historic Environment Scotland.

For the house's 133m² roof refurbishment Gradient, in conjunction with contractors Laurence McIntosh, was selected to design a tapered insulation scheme that was as rapid to install, as it was efficient in preventing unwanted ponding on the flat roof. It led to the specification of Eurothane Eurodeck - Gradient's premium, high performing rigid PIR insulation board.

Ideal for use under mechanically-fixed, single-ply membranes across new-build and refurbishment projects, Eurothane Eurodeck's high compressive strength is complemented by its low thermal conductivity (0.022 W/mK). With this exceptional PIR solution, dimensional stability and a super-smooth surface are guaranteed. Further, the system was made-to-measure and therefore eliminated on-site cutting, which significantly reduced on-site labour times and material waste.

Gordon Dickson, Contracts Director at Laurence McIntosh, said: “Due to the high-profile nature of this project, we required a quality insulation that offered excellent performance in terms of thermal conductivity and ease of installation. Thanks to the conjunctive efforts of Gradient's technical team in designing a bespoke tapered solution, the made-to-measure system ensured it met the client’s brief and incurred minimal material waste. This added to the project's cost-effectiveness, whilst enhancing its environmental credentials.”

The roof was finished with a single-ply membrane and thanks to the combined expertise that led to the specification, design and installation of Gradient's Eurothane Eurodeck tapered insulation, this historic Scottish house will remain an astonishing architectural feature of Selkirk’s wild and wonderful countryside for many years to come.