Sikaflex PRO 2 HP high performance joint sealant from Sika may have been colour selected to be near invisible, but its benefits are loud and clear for one major anchor retail store at the £140 million Bath SouthGate development. Over 2,000 metres of the product has been installed, providing critical weatherproofing that won’t affect the building’s appearance.
Bath SouthGate has been designed by architect Chapman Taylor and is being built by main contractor Sir Robert Mc Alpine. The open street scheme with a major new square extends the existing urban grain of the UNESCO World Heritage city centre and local conservation area. When completed, it will provide shops, leisure facilities, residential accommodation and restaurants.
To complement the surrounding classical architecture, the anchor store, along with the other builds, is constructed of natural Bath Stone. To provide weatherproofing and air-tightness around the buildings’ joints, Chapman Taylor required a high performance sealant.
Without full sealing, the structures’ joints could fall victim to water and air ingress/egress. This would cause significant damage to the building structure as well as affecting the performance of the building and repair would be costly. To maintain the architectural appearance of the building, the sealant also had to match the natural stone finish.
Perfectly suited to solve this dilemma, Sikaflex PRO 2 HP, from leading building product manufacturer Sika, enabled specialist contractor, Techrete (UK) Ltd., to completely weatherproof the structure, whilst keeping the architect’s initial vision intact.
A single part, high performance polyurethane façade sealant, Sikaflex PRO 2 HP is easily installed using a sealant gun. Due to its versatility, it has been applied to all joints around the building, providing all over, effective weatherproofing.
Supplied in a range of seven colours, the product was carefully selected to ensure it complements the complex’s natural stone façade, retaining its original aesthetic. Once applied, it was finished using a dusted coating for a hard pointed appearance that matched the stone façade.
Techrete benefited from Sikaflex PRO 2 HP‘s high workability during the application process. Its low modulus and yet durable finish, comes from the use of polyurethane technology, and provides a movement capability of 25% in accordance with ISO 11600 and further tested to + / - 70% in accordance with BS9047.
Gary Stark, Techrete’s Associate Director of Projects commented, ‘This project was the latest in a long standing relationship between Techrete and Sika. With a close bond between the two companies, coupled with our faith in Sika’s sealant, we didn’t hesitate to specify the product when contracted by Sir Robert Mc Alpine’
A high performance sealant, Sikaflex PRO 2 HP provides specifiers with the reassurance of longevity and cost effectiveness. It is a solution that will keep working for the structure for decades to come, with an impressive long term track record. A small cost to the overall build – a fraction of 1% - it out performs other inferior grades of sealants, which are prone to failure, resulting in costly building maintenance. In the unlikely event of maintenance being required, Sikaflex PRO 2 HP is easily repairable, helping to minimise ongoing costs.
Approved to the highest level of sealant standards, BS EN ISO11600, Sikaflex PRO 2 HP certifies the project with top class weatherproofing and air tightness that won’t let it down.To ensure correct application each and every time, it is also supported by Sika’s Contractor Training academy.
The retail unit is one of three buildings that make up Phase 1 of the Bath SouthGate development. Due for completion at the end of the year, it will display unparalleled aesthetics. Assisted by Sikaflex’s proven weatherproofing, it will become the place to be for shoppers near and far.