An impressive build-to-rent development in the
heart of Canary Wharf, London, has highlighted
another incredible benefit of the high performing
Wraptite air barrier.
The iconic Newfoundland building, also known
as “The Diamond Tower”, rises 60-storeys above
the Thames and is home to 636 apartments with
amenities including a health club and spa, restaurant,
café and retail units and offering dramatic views over
the city.
The project design was by architects Horden Cherry
Lee on behalf of the client Canary Wharf Group.
The slim diamond shape of the tower is determined
by the narrow footprint of the site and the diagonal
alignment of adjacent streets. The design of the diamond pattern of the external structure optimises
pedestrian movement, maintains views and presents a clear and striking new landmark form for Canary
Wharf.
Specialist contractor Sharpfibre provided fire stopping to the 636 apartments and common areas,
installing Firetherm Intubatt and Intucompound and fire protection to the structural steels using Knauf
Fire-Tek 160.
During construction, the structural steels were exposed to the elements until the contractor could install
the cladding, which could have caused an issue due to declension.
Knauf Fire-Tek 160 does not have any hydrophobic additives to prevent the insulation from wind-driven
rain or moisture, so a solution was required to offer temporary protection from the elements. The
answer was to cover the protected steels with the Wraptite airtightness membrane.
Wraptite is designed as an effective vapour permeable air barrier to maximise the energy efficiency of
buildings. The application of the Wraptite membrane provided class W1 protection from the weather/
elements to the Fire-Tek and the exposed steel until the diamond shape façade was installed and
completed.
Wraptite is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA and combines
the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. The selfadhered
nature of Wraptite and its high level of water resistance and simplified detailing made it an ideal
choice.
The high vapour permeability of Wraptite allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly, moisture vapour to
escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion.
There are considerable benefits to incorporating the Wraptite System within the facade design. First, the
use of Wraptite helps ensure “as-designed” performance, narrowing the gap between as-designed and
actual energy performance and reducing the likelihood of potential failures to meet required airtightness
levels.
Wraptite is a self-adhesive breather membrane applied externally, quickly and efficiently as part of
the rainscreen system. Traditional internal air barriers will need to accommodate building services
such as electrical, lighting, heating and drainage systems, increasing the gap between as designed and
built. However, the Wraptite membrane fully bonds to virtually any substrate, requiring no mechanical
attachment, seals or tapes to suppress air leakage around junctions or penetrations.
Wraptite is compliant with Part B regulation changes and also has BRE approval for use in the external
wall systems of buildings over 18m in height, both as a continuous layer on sheathing board, behind fire
classified insulation, and for use to tape joints in insulation behind rainscreen.

Wraptite- Canary Wharf, London
Brochures

Datasheets

Installation Guides

Material Properties

BIM Objects

UK Availability

Certification

Global Availability

Material Properties
Wraptite-SA
Property | Test Method | Result |
---|---|---|
Roll Size | 1.5 x 50 m | |
Thickness | Calibrated Deadweight Micrometer | 0.65 mm |
Weight | Electronic Weigh Scale | 292 g/m2 |
Application Temperature - Air & Surface Minimum | -10 C | |
Service Temperature | -40 to 80 C | |
Water Penetration - Before Ageing | EN 1928:2000 Method A | W1 Class |
Water Penetration - After Ageing | EN 1928:2000 Method A | W1 Class |
Air Permeance | EN 12114 | 0.01 m3/m2/hr @50Pa |
Water Vapour Resistance Sd | EN ISO 12572(C) | 0.039 m |
Water Vapour Transmission | BS 3177:1959 | 893 g/m2/24hr |
Peel Adhesion | EN 1939 | 5.01 N/10mm |
Tensile Strength - MD | EN 12311-1 | 417 N |
Tensile Strength - XD | EN 12311-1 | 252 N |
Tear Resistance - MD | EN 12310-1 | 412 N |
Tear Resistance - XD | EN 12310-1 | 286 N |
Dimensional Stability - MD | EN 1107-2 | 0.3 % |
Dimensional Stability - XD | EN 1107-2 | +0.1 % |
Reaction to Fire | EN 13501 - 1 | B Class |
Flexibility at Low Temperature | EN 1109 | No cracks at -40C |
BIM Objects
File | Format |
---|---|
Wraptite - BIM Object - Steel Frame | IFC |
Wraptite and Facadeshield UV - BIM Object - Steel Frame | IFC |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Steel Frame With Reflectite Tape Over Board Joints | IFC |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Steel Frame Wraptite Tape Over Board Joints | IFC |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Wraptite Tape Over Board Joints | IFC |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Ventilated Timber Frame With External Airtight Membrane Wraptite | IFC |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Ventilated Timber Frame With External Airtight Membrane And Wraptite Tape Over Board Joints | IFC |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Warm Roof Slate With Softwood Sarking | RVT |
Wraptite - BIM Object - Warm Roof Tile With Plywood Sarking | RVT |
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