With three key projects under the spotlight, we hear more about Spantherm – the innovative insulated precast concrete ground-floor system that is being adopted by a growing number of housebuilders and developers
Spantherm is an insulated precast concrete ground flooring system. By producing high performance insulated structural concrete units offsite, Creagh has redefined the speed of installing a fully insulated ground-floor. This is the next generation of structural flooring systems, designed as the efficient alternative to labour-intensive beam and block installations.
Spantherm thermally efficient flooring has been utilised at a housing development in Warmington, Peterborough. The new development is being built by NRI Civils, who choose Spantherm as it is designed specifically for use at ground-floor level in residential and small-medium sized commercial projects. They opted for the work to be completed by Creagh’s expert fitting team, requiring no labour from them and saving them time onsite.
Improve efficiencies and reduces labour
Adam Moody, contracts manager for NRI Civils, said: “We chose Spantherm because one of the things that we are looking for as a business is to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, reduce labour and time onsite and when you’ve got a difficult site, where you’re struggling for storage, that’s exactly where Spantherm is perfect.”
Housebuilders are increasingly exploring the opportunities for new ideas to reduce labour onsite and boost efficiency in the build and it makes sense that they start with the ground-floor. Spantherm is installed in just minutes – not days.
The initial appeal of Spantherm’s insulated precast concrete is clear, as a typical floor on a detached house or a pair of semi-detached homes is fitted onsite in less than two hours. Once in place and grouted, the floor achieves its full structural capability within 72 hours; however, building activity can commence on perimeter walls within 24 hours.
“The team have been absolutely fantastic with the support we get,” adds Adam.
“Anything that we need to discuss with them, they are always on hand, so we have a great relationship. We will definitely be using Spantherm again to help our optimum goal of achieving better efficiency and reducing costs and labour times.”
Easy installation with Spantherm’s insulated precast concrete flooring
Spantherm has also been used to great effect at a housing development in North Muskham, Nottinghamshire, where a new homes development is being built by Geda Construction. With no additional site works or laying out required, a typical 90m² floor can be installed in just 90 minutes and provides level base without camber for timber frame or block construction.
Installation is not affected by adverse weather conditions and secondary screeds with extended drying times are not required. Spantherm is designed to reduce cold bridging at wall/floor junctions making an important contribution to Part L performance. Spantherm is available in three performance options designed to boost your building’s performance within SA and can achieve U-value as low as 0.11W/m2K. It is also a fabric first solution, integrating structural concrete with expanded polystyrene insulation. The tightly butted units lock in the thermal performance efficiently across the slab.
“Geda used Spantherm to push the project along as its one operation that just makes it so much quicker and easier to facilitate onsite,” said Shaun Wormall, site manager for Geda.
“We are impressed on the installation of the slabs and the time that it saves us onsite. From a site management point of view, it’s been really good, Creagh has been very responsive and the production timescales and installation has been quick and painless. We would definitely use Spantherm again, brilliant product, well-managed and well-run.”
Increases productivity and enhances health and safety on site
Spantherm is also being utilised at a new 
housing development in Stapleford, Nottingham, and the developer is delighted with the results.
Malcolm Flinn, director of Stapleford Oaks, states: “I chose Spantherm because it’s labour saving, has made life easier for me, and it’s quick, efficient and clean”.
An increasing number of builders in Great Britain are switching from traditional beam and block builds as its significantly reducing labour onsite. Using Spantherm increases productivity and enhances health and safety onsite. It minimises waste and vehicle movements are reduced, all contributing to overall environmental benefits.
“I would use Spantherm again because the block and beam method takes so many more men and machines onsite, and takes a lot longer to lay. It also leaves a lot of work for the bricklayers to do at floor level. With Spantherm we are in and building off it almost straight away” stated Malcolm.
For more information visit: www.creaghconcrete.co.uk or email: SpanthermGB@CreaghConcrete.com
You can watch the NRI Civils, Geda Construction & Stapleford Homes testimonial videos at: www.creaghconcrete.co.uk/products/spantherm
Creagh
Tel: +44 (0) 1636 552 212
spanthermGB@creaghconcrete.com
Twitter: @creaghconcrete
Please note: this is a commercial profile.
