Trust James Hardie To Deliver A Top Quality Facade

Royal Greenwich Trust School (RGTS) is a key educational hub in the Charlton Riverside area of London. Following a major extension in 2020, the school's facade required urgent attention and in 2024, Express Group Ltd was contracted to remove the existing cladding. Upon closer inspection, the team identified significant installation flaws, including an incorrectly installed subframe and non-compliant cladding, necessitating a complete and rapid remediation of the building.​

The project faced two critical challenges: 

1. Safety and Compliance: The new facade needed to be A2 fire-rated and fully compliant with modern building regulations to guarantee long-term safety. 

2. Minimal Disruption: The work was on a fast-track schedule, requiring completion primarily during the summer holiday. Contractors had to use external access points when working during term time to ensure minimal disruption to students and staff. 

To meet the combined demands of safety, speed, and value, Express Group Ltd specified Hardie® Panel, the high-performance A2 fire-rated fibre cement façade board from James Hardie. Hardie® Panel was chosen for its durability, affordability, and low maintenance, making it ideally suited to education environments. The façade design featured three complementary colours, accented by bold Bright Pink coving and flashings, delivering a distinctive and vibrant appearance. 

To streamline installation, the majority of panels were delivered pre-cut to site and fixed onto a new aluminium rail system, reducing on-site labour and significantly accelerating the programme. Hardie® Panel proved to be more cost-effective than comparable alternatives, providing a sustainable, low-maintenance solution that will reduce the school’s long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs. 

Thanks to the collaborative effort between James Hardie and Express Group Ltd, the Royal Greenwich Trust School remediation was a resounding success and the project was completed on budget and ahead of schedule. ​

The new facade is fully compliant with fire safety and building regulations, providing the school with a robust, durable, and low-maintenance exterior for years to come. Crucially, by prioritising proactive communication and controlled access points, the entire project was delivered with minimal disruption, ensuring full student access throughout the construction period. 

Steve Barrett, Director at Express Group Ltd, commented “working with James Hardie on the Royal Greenwich Trust School project was a seamless experience from start to finish.  Hardie® Panel proved to be the perfect solution for what was a challenging remediation, meeting strict fire safety requirements while allowing us to stay on a fast-track schedule.​ The pre-cut panels and hands-on technical support from the James Hardie team made a huge difference. They were always available with quick, practical solutions that kept the project on track.”​

Ready to specify Hardie® Panel for your next project? Contact James Hardie to find out how they can help you deliver safe, stylish, and high-performance façades, on time and on budget.  www.jameshardie.com