New museum benefits from Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System

The Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System has been installed to enhance thermal performance at the new North Hertfordshire Museum, which is based in Hitchin.

Built on behalf of North Hertfordshire District Council by Borras Construction, the museum is affixed to Hitchin’s historic town hall: a new shared foyer and café have been created, along with study areas and exhibition spaces.

The new build represents a key investment into the market town. To ensure its success, a high-quality insulation system was required to keep heating costs low and energy efficiency high.

Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System

Buttress Architects specified the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System for use in the building. The System features 30mm Kingspan OPTIM-R vacuum insulation panels and flex infill strips, which were fitted around the perimeter of the floor area.

With a microporous core – which is encased in a slim, gas-tight envelope – the panels are able to achieve thermal conductivities of up to 0.007 W/m^.K. This will help the museum to keep its long-term heating costs to a minimum.

The BDA Agrément Scheme guarantees that the panels will perform as expected, when installed to Kingspan Insulation’s recommendations. This independent certification is recognised by LABC and the NHBC, which can help to streamline the approvals process.