Tyvek® Reflex Protects New Build Apartments In Torquay Against Coastal Weather Conditions

Sunset Villa is a new build apartment complex in Torquay that maximises the advanced performance of DuPont™ Tyvkek® Reflex metallised breather membrane to protect against a range of coastal weather conditions. Photo Bradley Cameron for DuPont, all rights reserved

Torquay, a charming seaside resort on the south coast of England, is known for its balmy summer weather and pleasant autumns. What is less appreciated is the weather during winter, where the location means that severe storms can hammer the coastline. This high level of wind and water is one of several key reasons that Cornwall Timber Build specified DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex for a new build timber frame apartment building in the town, on the site of the former Lansdowne Hotel. 

DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex is a metallised version of the leading advanced breather membrane offering very low emissivity, and thus helps to protect the structure not only during the winter but also during the summer months, where the product’s unique nature and long term thermal performance helps to maintain a comfortable interior environment.

The building is set on higher ground with impressive west facing views and has a contemporary specification that is also in keeping with town’s character. Designed to be both elegant and sustainable, the structure features 14 units over 1100 square metres and 480 square metres of DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex have been installed to the interstitial wall cavities of the timber frame, which has been made with sustainably sourced Scandinavian wood.

Managing Director of Cornwall Timber Build, Stuart Dewey comments, “Ensuring performance, both short and long term, is a vital necessity with all our buildings. We construct with a fabric first approach and we require not only airtightness but long term performance, and Tyvek reflex, with its unique lacquered, metallised layer means that what we build performs as per the design. There is no performance gap.”

Sue Longman, DuPont™ Tyvek® Regional Business Manager says, “DuPont™ Tyvek® Reflex is a vapour permeable, windtight, water resistant, insulating material used in timber frame and vertical cladding, where its properties allow the building to release water vapour and at the same time protect against the elements. The lacquered, low-e surface ensures long term performance by preventing the aluminium surface oxidising. This means that the performance of the material is guaranteed from day one. Helping with the specification, detailing and site assistance means that we ensure the building operates as the designer intended.”