Flexible Systems

LAB Architecture Studio specified cellular glass insulation from Pittsburgh Corning as part of the £15m transformation of Bristol Industrial Museum into the new Museum of Bristol, M-Shed.

Foamglas was specified as it could be bonded directly onto the existing roof, while its compressive strength meant it could also be installed under flooring in high traffic areas. LAB selected Foamglas Readyboard, which was applied to both the roof and the ceiling of the museum.

David Racz, LAB’s associate director said: “We wanted to retain many of the building’s existing features so we needed a product that could be fully bonded to the existing asphalt surfaces.”

Foamglas Readyboard was adhered using traditional hot bitumen, which was poured onto the asphalt surfaces and in between the Foamglas boards to ensure the joints were fully sealed providing a fully waterproof and vapour-tight insulation layer.

Manufactured from 68% recycled glass, Foamglas combines silica sand and a small element of carbon to create a natural foaming action. Once installed, Foamglas cellular glass insulation will retain its insulation value without degradation and will last the lifetime of the building.

Pittsburgh Corning
www.foamglas.co.uk