Refurbishment Solutions - Kingspan Insulation - Kingspan Group PLC

Closing Cavitiesdesign: www.square.ieClosing cavitiesDue to ever more stringent building regulations requiringincreased thermal performance, ‘weak’ points in the buildingfabric at junctions between floors, walls and roofs arebecoming more and more apparent. These are problemareas that need to be addressed by ensuring continuity ofinsulation and air-tightness to reduce thermal bridging.This also applies to window and door jambs in traditionalcavity wall construction where the internal block leaf returnsto meet the external leaf forming a direct thermal bridge.This can cause localised condensation and associatedmould growth especially in kitchens, bathrooms, utilityrooms and bedrooms due to the relatively cold surface atthese junctions.There are several means of tackling this, the most effectivebeing an external insulation system as discussed on page08, where a thin layer of insulation returns on the externalwindow or door jamb to encapsulate the building ininsulation. An alternative is internally dry-lining where a thinlayer of insulation also returns on the window or door jambthereby eliminating any cold surfaces internally.However if neither of these options are employed or if theexisting wall is adequate in terms of thermal performancethen Kingspan Thermabate cavity closers can be used totackle this junction directly. The process involves removingthe existing windows and cutting out the return blockwork toform a clear cavity. An appropriate width of Thermabate isthen secured to the inner leaf and the window is re-fitted, thisoption is ideal if it has been decided to upgrade the existingwindows in the house.For further information, or a copy of theKingspan Thermabate brochure simply contactKingspan Insulation Technical Advice:P: +353 (0) 42 975 4297E: techline@insulation.kingspan.com20 Kingspan Refurbishment Solutions