Happy Days Nursery

CHALLENGE

Knauf Insulation partnered with HIT Entertainment and popular children’s character Bob the Builder to launch Project: Renovate in February 2008 and has been advising children about environmental issues ever since. The initiative, based around Bob’s three R’s: reduce, re-use and recycle, provides nursery practitioners and children with information on the steps they can take to make the learning environment more comfortable and sustainable.

As part of the scheme, nurseries across the UK had the chance to win one of three energy efficient renovations worth up to £15,000 each, supported by competition partners Knauf Insulation and installed by Mark Group. The judges, including Catherine O’Dolan, Editor of Junior Magazine and Jackie Harding, Founder of TV4Parents, assessed the numerous entries the competition received and were looking for evidence of the nursery’s commitment to Bob’s three R’s and how it would make the most of the renovation if successful.

Due to its strong ambitions for energy efficiency, Happy Days Nursery (Penair) in Truro was awarded one of the top prizes.

Housed in a pre-fabricated building, the nursery wasn’t suitable for the more commonly used insulation applications such as loft insulation and cavity wall.

SOLUTION

In order to help the nursery increase its thermal efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint an External Wall Insulation (EWI) System incorporating Knauf Insulations EWI Slab was specified.

Made from rock mineral wool, EWI Slab has excellent thermal performance and offers solid support to render. The render finish was an important aspect for the nursery owners as they could take the opportunity to change the colour of the building which was green before the EWI install began.

The new look white building gives the nursery a clean, bright finish which ensures it stands out from the surrounding area.

The external wall insulation was applied to the external walls of the nursery building, boosting the thermal efficiency of the property and contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.