Award-winning Welsh property developer, Sancler Property has prioritised long-term sustainability in its latest completed project with leading green construction solution manufacturer, Duraproducts.
The company, crowned NHBC Welsh Housebuilder of the Year 2021, has installed almost 1km of Duraproducts’ pioneering recycled and recyclable plastic kerbing solution, Durakerb – including straight kerbs, drop kerbs, and centre stones – at the Pludds Meadow development of 24 houses in Laugharne, South-West Wales, without any heavy lifting machinery. Elsewhere, at the Clos Hugdon development of 42 houses, currently in progress in Laugharne, a further 750m of Durakerb units is being installed this year.
Durakerb has proven to be the ideal choice for Sancler Property’s projects due to a combination of factors that addressed crucial aspects of construction requirements, including its sustainability merits and resistance to damage. In comparison to precast concrete, Durakerb exhibited a significantly lower embodied carbon footprint, as evidenced by Duraproducts’ Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). The unit’s low weight and composition removed onsite health and safety concerns associated with manual handling and removed installation workers' exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
Moreover, the significant reduction in damage compared to precast concrete was a standout feature for Sancler Property, with less than 2 per cent of the entire scheme requiring replacement during the construction phase – a staggering difference when compared to the previous 75 per cent remedial costs for precast materials.
The durability and strength of Durakerb units have been instrumental in gaining eventual approval and adoption of the development by the local authority without excess environmental and investment costs for Sancler Property.
Furthermore, even minor damage has proved manageable, being efficiently repaired using Durakerb's two-part epoxy resin kits, further strengthening the practicality and longevity of Durakerb units for Sancler Property.
The partnership demonstrates Sancler's commitment to complementing modern architectural design with environmentally responsible solutions and fostering a circular economy.
Carl Thornton at Sancler Property reflected: “Durakerb is a cost effective and durable kerbing solution for the housing sector. Historically, we have been burdened with significant and ongoing remediation cost for kerb, but this is not the case with Durakerb. Furthermore, the ease and speed of installation supports our tight construction programme coupled with its lower carbon footprint it really does tick all the boxes.”
Andy Leah, General Manager at Duraproducts, concluded: “We are proud to celebrate the successful partnership with Sancler Property who have shared our vision for a safer and more sustainable construction industry since 2018. It is great to see Durakerb’s ease of installation, longevity, and resistance to damage helping Sancler Property achieve their project goals and look after its onsite workers. While we are underway on the Clos Hugdon development, we look forward to further leveraging Duraproducts’ range of durable solutions, benefiting the environment and installation workers.”