The use of high specification building materials was required for the proposed dwellings to achieve a seamless fit with the surrounding environment, whilst incorporating energy saving features to achieve lower carbon emissions within SAP.

Keystones technical team designed heavy duty and extra heavy-duty lintels for window and door openings which accommodated brick span openings between 675mm to 2475mm. A consignment of bricks were collected from site, and delivered to Keystones manufacturing facility where each brick was cut to specific dimensions for alternating brick patterns on the face and underside soffit return. The bricks were then bonded using BBA approved adhesive to the load bearing lintels in a weatherproof controlled environment.

The offsite construction method deployed by Bellwood Homes facilitated a faster build schedule by eliminating delays in achieving the intricate brick detailing due to disruptive weather. Health and safety concerns and costs were also reduced by eliminating the requirement for skilled labour working from heights for a prolonged period of time in a busy street area below.

All of the prefabricated brick slip feature lintels were delivered to site as one unit, ready for final pointing. Keystones BBA approved Hi-therm+ lintels improved the energy performance of the external envelope across window and door junctions by reducing thermal bridging and offering lower Psi Values compared to standard lintels. This fabric first approach to lower carbon emissions within SAP ensured each new home is energy efficient, without any additional maintenance required compared to alternative bolt on technologies.