What's New

View | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

APRIL 06 - FOIL HEAT LOSS!

A 500+% reduction in heat flow through floors, roofs, ceilings and walls can be achieved with an innovative new membrane.

Glidevale's Protect VC Foil provides significant thermal, strength and performance benefits over conventional vapour control layers, enhancing the thermal performance of walls, ceilings and floors. Installed in timber frame walls with a 20mm airspace, Protect VC Foil is equivalent to at least 34mm of mineral wool, helping to achieve the required U value with a lesser thickness of insulation. This has the added benefit of creating a service cavity on the warm side of the insulation helping to maintain the integrity of the vapour control layer.

The material is a high reflective vapour control layer manufactured from a polywoven core and high purity aluminium foil bonded with a further polypropylene interlayer. The resultant membrane provides significant thermal performance and strength over conventional vapour control layers, but also gives a high burst strength. To work effectively, the foil is laid with its reflective side facing into an unventilated airspace between the foil and insulation. The airspace enables the foil to function, and block infra red radiation, improving the overall U value of the construction and simultaneously creating a service cavity.

Glidevale uses the BRE U value calculator software to verify the thermal performance. In walls with a 20mm airspace, Protect VC Foil gave a 272% improvement in heat flow resistance against a wall with a similar size unventilated airspace; in roofs and ceilings with a 13mm airspace, a 200% improvement was achieved, and in floors with a 50mm airspace, a 533% improvement was recorded.*

Installed correctly, Protect VC Foil also gives a 10-15% cost saving against similar build techniques and materials on the market.

Nick Beswick, Glidevale Sales Director, explains, "Protect VC Foil enables builders to quickly and easily construct and ensure compliance with all appropriate regulations for thermal performance, condensation control and air leakage. BS5250: 2002 (Amendment 1 2005), the means of compliance with Approved Document Part C, now specifically requires separate vapour control layers in warm roof construction and Protect VC Foil meets that need with additional thermal benefits. The material is strong so it won't tear easily, helping reduce the cost of on-site damage and wastage, yet it is still lightweight and easy to handle."

Glidevale Protect VC Foil is the latest addition to the Protect range of impermeable and vapour permeable membranes for roofs and walls, which complement Glidevale's comprehensive range of roofing and ventilation products. Part of the Building Product Design Group, Glidevale specialises in developing innovative yet practical products in line with changing market requirements.

Back >