Complete energy efficient solutions all under one roof

With some of the most comprehensive ranges of construction and roofing products available to the UK market, and backed by a strong heritage as a division of Building Product Design Ltd, leading UK manufacturer Glidevale Protect is leading the way in creating better buildings and healthy homes.

When it comes to creating truly energy efficient buildings, it’s all about balance; from looking at key requirements such as thermal performance and airtightness, to making sure the building has the correct ventilation in place to ensure full condensation control, helping it comply with the more onerous Building Regulations that came into effect in England in June 2022. In the case of Building Regulation Part L, a 31% carbon emissions reduction target from the previous Regulation means that a fabric first approach is even more of an important contributor to maximising the performance of the build. That’s why for almost 40 years, Glidevale Protect has been at the forefront of developing innovative roofing and specialist construction products from its two manufacturing facilities in the Midlands and South Wales. This growth has resulted in the company being able to offer the most comprehensive range available from a UK producer and build an impressive portfolio of completed contracts.

A strong foundation

Glidevale Protect is a subsidiary of Building Product Design Ltd, itself one the UK’s longstanding leading forces in the development of building ventilation solutions and specialist building products. Building Product Design Ltd is committed to building healthy solutions and the company’s strong heritage ensures all its subsidiary companies’ commitment to developing a sustainable and extensive product offering. As well as being a key driver for new product development (NPD) activity, for both existing products and future NPD, Building Product Design Ltd has also established a dedicated Group Sustainability Board to ensure the environment is a central focal point for the business.

The company is continuously looking at ways to improve operational efficiency, with all its products designed and developed to meet the requirements of the ISO 9001 quality standard and environmental standard ISO 14001, as well as the international health and safety standard ISO 45001.

Build Tight, Ventilate Right

There is important work going on behind the scenes and this statement applies to both Glidevale Protect’s continuous business improvements and the projects it is involved in. Afterall, many of the products that the company supplies are often hidden protectors that are out of sight within the building envelope and yet can have a positive effect on the overall performance and energy efficiency of a building.

As advocates of the fabric first specification strategy, Glidevale Protect’s focus on the need to ‘Build Tight, Ventilate Right’ is delivered by a full complement of products that have been developed to improve a building’s thermal performance, airtightness and ventilation – a balance that is vital to reduce the risk of condensation.

Raising roofing standards

Glidevale Protect’s Roofing Division provides one of the broadest ranges of pitched roof underlays available across all category types, alongside a large selection of roofing ventilation products suitable for all tile and slate roofs, together with eaves, soffit, abutment and ridge options and a full range of roofing accessories. The company’s already extensive range has recently been extended further with the launch of Protect Fulmetal UniRoll – a new dry fix universal ventilated ridge and hip system with unions.

Manufactured by Glidevale Protect in the UK, Fulmetal UniRoll protects and ventilates a ridge or hip with no need for ongoing maintenance and comes complete with unions for use between the tiles. As well as offering the benefits of a mortar-free, easy installation, it also provides long term weather resistance thanks to the ventilated roll’s robust, all aluminium construction. The system’s long-term durability also overcomes the potential issues associated with traditional fabric based roll ridge systems.

Glidevale Protect’s roofing range is further enhanced by its Construction Division, which offers a vast selection of construction breather membranes alongside air and vapour control layers for walls, floors and ceilings. The company’s cavity tray range is one of the most comprehensive available, with a range of loft hatches providing airtightness as well as intelligent, natural ventilation systems for whole-house buildings, delivered by passive stack. Together with its roofing products, Glidevale Protect can offer its specification customers access to a host of innovative solutions for achieving improved levels of thermal efficiency, airtightness, ventilation and damp proofing.

Passivent – the perfect partner for ventilation

Building Product Design Ltd is also the home of natural ventilation specialist Passivent which is committed to providing specifiers and contractors with the solutions they need to create healthier interior environments.

With almost 40 years of experience, Passivent provides a comprehensive range of sustainable and energy efficient ventilation systems to help improve air quality, boost natural daylight and remove moisture. Experts in both natural and hybrid ventilation strategies, Passivent also works closely with architects and building designers at the earliest point in the specification process to identify the most appropriate solutions for each specific project type. As a result, Passivent’s products have gone on to be used on contracts across various sectors, from schools and leisure centres to a range of commercial buildings, residential care schemes and healthcare projects.

Kingfisher – the natural choice for commercial contracts

Contractors working on larger commercial contracts can also find the solutions they need within the Building Product Design family thanks to Kingfisher Louvres, a subsidiary company that specialises in the manufacture and supply of external and architectural aluminum louvre systems for on site assembly. Such systems provide permanent ventilation, weather protection, visual screening, solar shading and acoustic attenuation. Its range of solutions are used across a wide variety of sectors and can of course work hand in hand when specified alongside complementary products from across both Passivent and Glidevale Protect’s extensive portfolio.

Expertise and experience

As a UK based company, Building Product Design and its dedicated manufacturing divisions have served customers and contracts across England, Scotland, Wales and both Northern and Southern Ireland, with all products fully compliant with all the necessary national and regional regulations and standards. Extensive work has also been undertaken across the residential housing sector with Glidevale Protect establishing strong links with the housebuilding industry.

Glidevale Protect has also become a trusted partner for clients working in the offsite construction sector, with many of its products specially developed to meet the requirements of new build projects including those constructed using volumetric modular, timber frame, CLT, steel or SIPs. The company has recently become a member of the Offsite Alliance to collaborate with the industry in addition to its affiliation with the Modular & Portable Building Association, Structural Timber Association and Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers’ Association.

Key to the successful delivery of many of Glidevale Protect’s completed contracts has been down to early engagement with the project team and the company has invested heavily in its specification and technical support services to be able to continue to develop such positive collaborative working relationships. This allows Glidevale Protect to work with its customers at the initial design stage to help projects achieve compliance with the Building Regulations as well as advise on product solutions that can help future proof housing developments to the Future Homes Standard set for 2025 and beyond. Technical support is also available in terms of product selection advice, U-value calculations, condensation risk analysis, ventilation guidance, site take offs, plot by plot delivery as well as on-site toolbox talks and consultations.

Being there every step of the way through the specification is helping Glidevale Protect go the distance and keep its clients on track as the industry continues its journey to achieving net zero. From the advantages of early engagement at both tender and design stages, to the long-term benefits of working with a sole supplier, Glidevale Protect and its partner companies are providing the complete range of holistic solutions for the complete building fabric, all under one roof.