INSULATION A
lot of juggling is often required when it comes to working out how to achieve required U-values, with merchants frequently involved in helping contractors decide which combination of insulation materials to use.
Now, an upgraded all-singing, all-dancing online simulator has been designed to put an end to the often-complicated process. And any merchant wanting to give it a whirl could see the brief self-help training session net increased sales. An educated merchant is hopefully a wealthier one.
The original Actis Hybrid U-value simulator was launched in 2013 and has proven invaluable for thousands of builders, architects and specifiers.
But the rising popularity of reflective breather membranes in timber frame wall applications and a need to offer an option for 400mm centres for roof refurb projects has seen the technical team at Actis give it an overhaul for 2021.
The new look tool is already seeing a good deal of praise from users who find it both versatile and easy to use, with its ability to base a calculation on 400mm centres in a pitched roof scenario in addition to the default 600mm option coming in for particularly positive comments.
Actis technical director Thomas Wiedmer says: “The rafters in most older roofs have 400mm centres rather than the 600mm centres found in new builds. This meant the original simulator made calculations difficult for builders carrying out refurbishment projects.” He says that the new look tool will help a merchant can work alongside a customer to calculate the U-value of a pitched roof refurb. “Let’s say that the homeowner doesn’t want to take tiles off the existing roof. In this case, Hybris and H Control Hybrid are the most popular solution. The benefits with H Control Hybrid of course include counteracting thermal bridging because the flexible nature
A NEW U
A revamped online U-value tool will help merchants sell more insulation products, as BMJ finds out
of the product means it can be squeezed into awkward spaces and wrapped around corners, meaning there are no gaps through which air can escape and that there is thermal continuity.”
Wiedmer says that the example build up would look like this: - Tiles
- Tile battens/slightly ventilated air cavity - Breather membrane
- 150mm rafters / Unventilated air cavity - 150mm rafters / 105mm Hybris reflective insulation
- 150mm rafters / Unventilated air cavity - Control Hybrid multifoil blanket insulation - 38mm battens / Unventilated air cavity - Plasterboard
“If a merchant is working with a customer on the specification for a newbuild pitched roof with its wider, 600mm, rafter centres the simulator will offer a different solution,” he explains.
“In these cases, the target U-value, as long as it is below the limiting U-value, can vary. It depends on the overall energy efficiency specification of the building (the SAP specification), that is, the overall U-value mix and the building technology used. Hybris plus H Control Hybrid or, alternatively, Hybris and Boost R Hybrid Roof are popular options here. Both can deliver a very good target U-value of 0.13. Yet again, the benefits of using H Control Hybrid include its ability to counteract thermal bridging.”
The simulator offers users the chance to play around with a mix-and-match range of insulation products and membranes in pitched roofs, ceilings, timber frame and masonry walls to see how the different combinations affect the project’s thermal efficiency. It produces an estimate in seconds.
With reflective breather membranes now the norm in the timber frame market, the creators have added an option for users to choose from a standard breather membrane, a reflective membrane or Actis Boost R Hybrid in the timber frame wall section of the simulator. Wiedmer adds that an example for a timber frame wall would see an installer wanting to achieve a U-value of 0.16 use 105mm Hybris with H Control Hybrid and a generic reflective breather membrane. Those happy with a U-value of 0.22 might decide on 125mm Hybris with a generic reflective breather membrane.
“One of the joys of the simulator is that it only takes a few moments to play around with different combinations. Having a tablet on the front desk will enable merchants to work on ideas together if the customer isn’t familiar with the tool,” he says.
The new improved tool also contains a link to the Actis Registered Construction Detail page on the LABC website, enabling users to feed the results into their wider specifications. The findings can be saved as a pdf which also includes a cross section of the build-up. Wiedmer adds: “Previously there was only a 3D image in which the construction build-up was somewhat unclear. The CAD drawing shows exactly which layers are used in the specification and where air cavities are maintained. This is an important aspect, as sometimes specifiers didn’t take account of the benefit of maintaining air cavities associated with reflective products. The cross section also gives an idea of things like rafter sizes required for the specification.”
The Actis simulator shows theU-values that can be achieved, making choice and specification easier.
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The findings can also be emailed to one of the technical team at Actis who can use the figures to prepare a comprehensive and tailored report to be included in a planning application – thus eliminating a good deal of time, research, and effort. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net June 2021
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