Over the past decade, the unpredictability and prevalence of extreme weather conditions due to climate change have increased dramatically. Scientific studies conducted by the Met Office show evidence that heatwaves, flooding, and destructive winds are becoming more common, culminating in an increased risk of adverse or harmful weather in the UK. This means it is becoming increasingly vital that improved weatherability be a key factor when specifying and selecting construction products.
According to the Adaption Committee (AC), the UK’s statutory advisory body and sister committee to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK construction industry needs to put a greater focus on building for a future that is prepared to meet the demands of extreme climate change.
Not only should this be considered in terms of the total resistance to extreme weather and exposure for the structure itself, but in terms of what impact it can have on the overall construction process.
Extreme weather can be highly detrimental to build projects, affecting construction speed, site safety and onsite coordination. Overall project costs can also be negatively impacted, with unpredictable weather delaying or increasing construction schedules by around 21% according to recent studies. With weather conditions more changeable and limitations on the capabilities of weather prediction models meaning that planning in advance for adverse conditions is becoming more complex, construction teams will need to be able to prepare for and ‘expect the unexpected’. In order to negate the risks of programme delays, taking as much of the construction process offsite as possible provides an ideal solution.
Klasse C-board, our high-performance fibre cement board and our Klasse G-board gypsum external sheathing board are both ideal for offsite and modular projects. As mentioned previously, the weatherability of products is important both in terms of keeping construction schedules on track and the long-term durability of a product during the finished structure’s lifespan. The Klasse range of external sheathing boards has been designed and rigorously tested to withstand all weather conditions, including extreme climate environments. All the products in the Klasse external sheathing board range are tested for freeze and thaw – heat and rain, as well as undergoing extensive warm water and soak dry testing. Both Klasse G-board is fully water resistant and has a 12-month exposure guarantees.
Klasse external sheathing boards are 3rd party certified by the British Board of Agrement (BBA), a signature of quality, reliability, and superior performance. BBA certification tests look closely at the durability and weatherability of a product to determine its longevity and eliminate any potential risks.
Our high-performance external gypsum-based sheathing board, Klasse G-Board, is faced with a special glass fibre and offers exceptional durability and resistance against fire, moisture, mould, and impact. When used as an external sheathing board, it can provide outstanding weather protection for various frame types, including steel, timber, and volumetric builds. Klasse G-board is constructed from a gypsum core combined with a fibre glass facing, resulting in a high-performance external sheathing even when left exposed for up to 12 months. G-board meets the optimum classification of GM-H1 to BS EN 15283 as well as demonstrating, good sound insulation, fire protection and airtightness.
The fibre cement Klasse C-board is an ideal choice for offsite and modular builds, with the increased impact resistance giving it a high level of dimensional stability. This makes it an excellent product choice for multiple applications, particularly for buildings that may be exposed to high winds where superior racking strength is required. Following extensive testing against extreme weather conditions and hot and cold environments, Klasse C-board passes freeze/thaw tests up to 100 cycles and 50 cycles In heat/rain tests. C-board is classified as Category A, to BS EN 12467 when subjected to heat, high moisture and severe frost.
When it comes to the importance of weatherability in selecting products, making the right choice has multiple benefits in both the long and short term – affecting the construction programme and the amount of ongoing maintenance and repairs required to a structure. The right products will save time, money and additional labour, giving assurance that the build is weathertight and able to withstand sudden and extreme changes in the environment. This is particularly prevalent in areas where extreme weather can have a high impact and can cause mass damage to the local area, both financially and economically.
Klasse external sheathing boards are quick to install, can be manufactured offsite requiring less time on site and minimising disruption to workflow. All our products exceed the new building safety regulations – designed with safety and quality at the forefront of everything we do.
Find out more about Klasse External Sheathing Boards here.
Download technical documents here.
