Celotex XPS 300: Ground floor insulation for a new garden centre
As part of the redevelopment of Perrywood Garden Centre in Sudbury, Suffolk, Celotex XPS 300 insulation was used in the ground floor build-up of a new shop building, providing thermal efficiency and moisture resistance under the concrete slab.
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Start your U-value calculationAt Perrywood Garden Centre, Celotex XPS 300 insulation was installed under the concrete slab, providing thermal efficiency and moisture resistance.
| Products Used: | Celotex XPS 300 SL FS |
|---|---|
| Sector: | Retail / Leisure |
Celotex XPS 300 used to insulate under the concrete slab for a new garden centre
As part of the redevelopment of Perrywood Garden Centre in Sudbury, Suffolk, Celotex XPS 300 insulation was used in the ground floor build-up of a new shop building, providing thermal efficiency and moisture resistance under the concrete slab.
Although the architect had originally specified another insulation product, the main contractor, Ashwell Construction and their builder’s merchant, Collier & Catchpole, decided to use Celotex XPS 300 instead, due to its performance values and availability. Following a review of the technical data, the architect signed off on the substitution, and the Celotex XPS 300 insulation was ordered, delivered and installed.
Thermal insulation for a commercial ground floor
Designed to become a landmark retail and leisure destination for the local area, the new Perrywood Garden Centre project is aiming to elevate the former Wyevale Garden Centre and bring it in line with Perrywood’s flagship centre in Tiptree, Essex. The new shop will include an expansive 2,800m2 shop, with an additional 1,400m2 of covered outdoor sales area. Ashwell Construction began the project by preparing the land. Next, a gas barrier was installed, followed by the Celotex XPS 300 insulation and then a 175mm structurally reinforced concrete slab. With the floor needing to support heavy loads, the materials used in the build-up needed to be strong and durable.
“The ground had been built up by around a metre, so it was important to use a product that could support a structurally heavy slab, as well as the internal fittings and foot traffic of the busy garden centre,” explained Tim Barrow, contracts manager at Ashwell Construction.
The Perrywood Garden Centre is expected to open in October 2025 and aims to create a high-quality customer experience. “We’re delighted to have been a part of this project – something that brings the community together and showcases what our products can achieve,” Joe concludes. To find out more about Celotex XPS 300, please download our product sheets or get in touch with a member of our team.
Celotex XPS for commercial floor insulation
Over 3,000m2 of Celotex XPS 300 was specified in 50mm thickness. Made of extruded polystyrene, Celotex XPS 300 offers 300kPA of compressive strength, enabling it to withstand heavy structural loading. With a closed-cell structure, these boards are also resistant to moisture, and they provide the required thermal performance, with R-values of 1.55 m²·K/W.
“We knew this floor would need to cope with high levels of footfall, significant shelving loads and forklifts,” said Joe Stewart, area sales manager – East at Celotex. “Our XPS 300 was chosen, as it provides thermal efficiency and compressive strength along with installation simplicity. We were also able to deliver it quickly, in time to meet the project’s scheduling demands.”
Coordinating the XPS insulation delivery for a tight construction schedule
The Celotex XPS floor insulation was selected after the originally specified insulation material became difficult to procure. Working closely with Celotex, the teams at Collier & Catchpole and Ashwell Construction determined that Celotex XPS 300 was a like-for-like alternative that provided the necessary performance requirements and was readily available.
The Celotex team provided technical documentation and guidance, the architect approved the specification change and the order was placed. This was a milestone for Celotex, being the first time to supply XPS through a member of the National Buying Group (NBG), and the first time working with Collier & Catchpole.
“We were pleased to support Collier & Catchpole on this project and happy to see our XPS insulation playing a part in this local development. We’re looking forward to working with NBG members and supplying our insulation products to more projects in the future,” Joe added.
Speed of delivery was essential, and with tight deadlines looming, once the order was placed, there was no time to lose in getting the insulation to site. Joe noted: “There wasn’t much leeway in the scheduling. We had to get the XPS insulation to site quickly – it was tight, but we managed it. The insulation was delivered on the morning specified, and it was being installed that afternoon.”
Installing XPS rigid foam insulation under the concrete slab
Being made of foam, XPS boards are lightweight, making them easy to handle and quick to install.
“Our installation team noted how easy the Celotex boards were to cut, move around and fit together, and this made it easy to achieve a tight, clean installation,” Tim explained.
Because the concrete slab was so large, the concrete pours had to be completed over two consecutive days. This required careful coordination around a central day joint, and Tim explained that the Celotex XPS insulation easily slotted in to fill the gap under the joint after the first day’s pour.
He added: “There were no delays – delivery and installation of the XPS insulation went smoothly, and there was also very little waste. While he attributes the low waste to various aspects of the project, including the size and shape of the building, he also notes that XPS’s ease of handling and installation may have also played a part. “The wastage factor on this job was much lower than usual – around 1–2%, compared to the typical 5%.”
Floor insulation for a destination garden centre
The Perrywood Garden Centre is expected to open in October 2025 and aims to create a high-quality customer experience. “We’re delighted to have been a part of this project – something that brings the community together and showcases what our products can achieve,” Joe concludes.
To find out more about Celotex XPS 300, please download our product sheets or get in touch with a member of our team.
