The illbruck i3 sealing system has contributed to a major energy-efficient renovation on Channel 4’s House Without Bills, achieving Passivhaus standards.
The pursuit of energy efficiency in the UK housing market has reached a new milestone with the recent broadcast of Channel 4’s House Without Bills. This prominent television programme documented an ambitious renovation project involving a 1930’s semi-detached property in Greater Manchester. We are pleased to announce that the illbruck i3 sealing system was selected as a critical component in this transformation, demonstrating its capability to deliver superior airtightness and weather protection in high-performance retrofit scenarios.
The primary objective of the renovation featured on House Without Bills was to transform a standard, energy-inefficient 1930’s home into a property capable of operating with zero energy bills. To achieve this, the project team aimed for Passivhaus standards – a rigorous standard for energy efficiency in a building, which aims to reduce the buildings ecological footprint.
Retrofitting existing housing stock presents unique challenges compared to new builds. Older properties often suffer from significant thermal bridging, poor insulation, and high levels of air permeability. Addressing these issues requires not just improved windows or heating systems, but a holistic approach to the building envelope.
The project required a sealing solution that cold guarantee long-term performance, prevent condensation, and ensure the airtightness level necessary for Passivhaus certification were met. It was due to this demanding context that the illbruck i3 sealing system was specified.
The Solution: illbruck i3 sealing system
The selection of the illbruck i3 sealing system for this project underscores its status as a market-leading solution for window and door sealing. Unlike traditional methods that may rely on a single line of sealant, the i3 system utilises a state-of-the-art three-layer principle. This approach ensures that the joint is sealed effectively against the weather while remaining permeable to water vapour, preventing the accumulation of interstitial condensation.
The three-layer principle
The i3 system separates the sealing function into three distinct zones, adhering to illbruck’s ‘inside tighter than out’ principle.
External Seal – provides weather tightness and protection against driving rain, while allowing moisture vapour to escape from within the joint.
Intermediate Seal – provides thermal and acoustic insulation, ensuring the joint does not become a weak point in the building’s thermal envelope.
Internal Seal – provides airtightness and vapour separation, preventing warm, moisture-laden air from the interior entering the joint and causing condensation.
The inclusion of the illbruck i3 Sealing System in Channel 4’s House Without Bills serves as a powerful testament to the product’s technical excellence. It demonstrates that with the correct specification of high-performance materials, even challenging retrofits can achieve exemplary standards of energy efficiency.
For homeowners, architects, and specifiers, this project offers a clear blueprint for the future of sustainable housing. It highlights that the path to lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions begins with the fabric of the building itself. Tremco CPG UK remains committed to supporting this transition through the continued innovation and supply of precision-engineered sealing and bonding solutions.
To learn more about the illbruck i3 Sealing System and how it can assist in your next energy-efficient project, visit illbruck‘s website or contact its technical team for detailed specification advice.
