North East Apartment Block Gets A Facelift

Sheffield-based composite panel manufacturer Panel Systems has supplied Styroglaze insulated panels for a major social housing refurbishment in the North East.

The panels were specified by The Gateshead Housing Company and as part of a complete façade solution on two high rise apartment blocks, known as Eslington Court.

Panel Systems was selected because it was able to demonstrate an ability to manufacture exacting tolerance on the high number of panels required on this large project.

The company manufactured over 3,500 bespoke Styroglaze plastisol steel-faced panels in white, which had to be supplied on very short leadtimes. The refurbishment was commissioned by The Gateshead Housing Company, the client on this project.

Styroglaze panels were selected as they are renowned for offering excellent thermal performance, which will mean a lower carbon footprint for the completed development and reduced energy bills for tenants. The panels were specified to achieve a u value less than 1.0 W/m2K.


The Gateshead Housing Company, which manages the block for Gateshead Council, is spending £4 million on Eslington and neighbouring Redheugh Court bringing them up to Decent Homes standards.

The Styroglaze panels were fixed into the replacement PVC-U window frames on both 18 storey high rise buildings at floor height, as part of a horizontal ribbon configuration. High performance double glazed clear glass units were then fitted into the window frames between waist and head height to maximize natural daylight levels in the properties.

Styroglaze is an insulated infill panel manufactured by bonding plastisol steel to a core of high performance Styrofoam insulation. The range can be manufactured to suit all glazing systems and provides a cost effective pre-finished insulated panel.

"We are delighted that Styroglaze provided an effective solution on this project," said Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems. "Ongoing investment in our production facilities meant that we could demonstrate the expertise and capability to cope with the demanding requirements of this large project. It is testament to the skills of our team that we could supply such a large number of panels on a short leadtime."

(CD)