The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has renewed Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream's ‘verified’ status for its role in helping improve the energy efficiency of external masonry in buildings.

In an EST Product Performance Verification report from August 2019, the organisation confirms three primary claims by Safeguard about its product Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream, namely that:

  • it inhibits the absorption of water by masonry;
  • will continue to inhibit water ingress despite exposure to severe weather, including sunlight exposure and freezing temperatures; and
  • helps improve the energy efficiency of dwellings by reducing heat loss, leading to lower heating requirements.

Tests by the University of Portsmouth on solid wall constructions treated with Stormdry established that it can provide energy savings of up to 29%. It does this by providing a high level of water repellency, preventing rain penetration of brickwork and keeping walls dry. Bricks have twice the thermal resistance when dry than when wet, making them insulate more effectively.

This opportunity for budget-sensitive building energy performance improvements chimes perfectly with the requirements of both the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and the new the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.