Problem addressed

The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe, of which almost 5 million are social & affordable homes. 1.8 homes per minute need to be retrofitted to meet the 2050 net zero target which means that home decarbonisation needs to be delivered at a scale never seen before. Comfort Frame IWI (Internal Wall Insulation) is a fabric first solution to thermally upgrade properties to ensure they are energy efficient and government compliant. Many methods of IWI are not capable of reducing u-values (0.30w/m2k), do not reduce the number of air changes per hour (affective draught proofing), are not heat & moisture intransient, nor can they offer a 25-year guarantee (via IAA).

Overview of start-up

The system is ‘decoupled’ from the existing structure preventing the transfer of moisture. The walling system is highly resistant to mould / damp and does not encourage the growth of bacteria or fungi. The self-adhesive breather membrane provides an airtight seal whilst allowing the structure to breathe, and the high thermal performance of the system keeps the heat in. The installation of Comfort Frame’s system can improve the thermal resistance of the combined wall to 0.30w/m2k.

Post installation, the IWI systems optimise health and wellbeing of the residents / owner / occupiers, creating a healthier environment to live in which should improve quality of life. The unique non-directional structure of the stone wool insulation, which is more dense than traditional insulations, effectively reduces airflow and therefore sound transmissions. The boards combine gypsum, cellulose fibres from recycled paper, and water to form a dense sheet material that has superior rigidity, durability and mechanical strength and therefore offers excellent sound transmission reduction.

Comfort Frame’s systems are bespoke to the property they will be installed in, therefore minimal waste is created during both the manufacturing and installation process. The systems use materials that are recyclable during and at the end of use which can then be transformed into new products.

What makes the start-up innovative

Comfort Frame’s innovation differs in that the IWI system is isolated from the external walls – a self-adhesive vapour permeable air barrier allows the walls to ‘breath’, which mitigates the risk of damp & mould. The thermally laminated panels and unique compression system provide thermal upgrades, ensuring heat is retained within the properties and reducing the energy consumption.

In terms of the customer journey, its important to note here that Comfort Frame’s system minimises disruption due to the fast nature of its installation. Typical elevation can be installed in one day with tenants remaining in situ.

How the start-up has been designed to scale up quickly

Comfort Frame utilises MMC. Its DfMa process starts from a point cloud survey of solid walled / hard to treat properties, following which it then manufactures the system bespoke to the measurements, maximising the highest quality of product, and minimising waste.

Committed to accelerating the retrofit revolution, Comfort Frame control its manufacturing in house via a facility in Northern Ireland which has capacity to produce circa 20 projects pcm. Survey to manufacture is complete within a matter of weeks.

The IWI system arrives on site in a kit of parts that are designed with ease of install and maximum efficiency at the heart of their purpose. Comfort Frame has recently completed a project which had 32m2 of walls which was installed in just 5 days – including decorating.

Based on projected forecasts, Comfort Frame has capability and capacity to deliver in excess of 200 projects per year.