A revolutionary new product designed to transform the loft and barn conversion sector can be used in roofs with shallow or uneven rafters and still deliver an excellent thermal performance
This is in part because the unique configuration of two-in-one reflective insulation and vapour barrier Actis Eolis HC means that it doesn’t require the usual 25mm air gap required to avoid condensation.
The practice of not leaving an air gap is something of a radical move – with the standard requirement, under BS 5250, requiring such a gap where high-resistance underlays such as sarking felt are used.
With Eolis HC, no air gap is required
But the make-up of Eolis HC and the configuration of the elements in the recommended build-up in a pitched roof means no such gap is required – for most locations throughout the UK anyway.
And with every millimetre making a difference in a low headroom dwelling, that could clinch the viability of a project.
Architect and Actis UK and Ireland technical director Thomas Wiedmer explained: “High-resistance (HR) underlays usually require a 25mm ventilation gap on their warm side to avoid the risk of interstitial condensation, in accordance with BS 5250. Where ventilation of the air space is reduced then a condensation risk analysis in line with EN 15026, such as a WUFI assessment, needs to be carried out.
“This dynamic simulation tool analyses the way heat and moisture move through a construction and can be used to assess the risk of moisture accumulation within any part of a roof build-up.
“The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics carried out an assessment using its WUFI software, based on parameters deemed worst-case scenario for UK applications.”
The results of the WUFI assessment, which takes into account all elements of the build-up along with weather data to generate its results, will demonstrate compliance in most locations within the UK.
Eolis HC will be transformative for loft and barn converters
Eolis HC will be especially transformative for loft and barn converters dealing with shallow rafters, where headroom is at a premium. It removes the need to cut insulation between each rafter and, while it is thin enough to be used in low headspace zones, it also offers excellent thermal performance.
The Triplex technology on which Eolis HC is based is created from a number of layers of reflective films, each separated by a thin layer of fibre, trapping air between each section, thus boosting thermal performance.
Actis Insulation
Tel: 01249 462888
technical@insulation-actis.com
*Please note: This is a commercial profile.
