Wykamol has launched a patented textile-based thermal wall insulation which is ideal for creating dry and warm walls, primarily in retrofit situations, with the potential to save energy and protect properties from penetrating damp.
ISO-THERM is an ultra-thin – approximately 4mm thick – specially woven polyester-based material which, due to its flexibility and ease of use, can quickly be cut around light switches, sockets, radiator brackets, architraves, skirting boards and even complex shaped decorative mouldings. This therefore avoids the disruption and cost of employing additional trades such as electricians, plumbers or carpenters.
The membrane is secured to the brick or block substrate with Wykamol’s unique Iso-Therm Adhesive, applied at a thickness of approximately 5mm using a notched trowel. The insulaation is then simply rolled into the glue before receiving a plaster skim coat, affording an overall finish of approximately 10mm.
The material is both waterproof and vapour permeable, so resists lateral damp transference to prevent natural surface nitrates and chlorides forming as efflorescence and therefore does not support the growth of surface mould, instead allowing the wall to breathe. In terms of insulation performance, product offers a thermal conductivity of 0.34 W/mK, translating into a typical U-value for solid masonry walls, once treated of 1.488 W/m2 K and an average percentage improvement in energy performance of 21.6%.
Available in 1 x 7.5 metre-long rolls, Iso-Therm is stable enough to accommodate a multitude of wall finishes and can even be applied to sound plasterboard. Supplied in 15 kg buckets, the adhesive, meanwhile, is a ready-to-use mineral-based paste, composed of stabilised potassium silicate, siliceous aggregates, graded quartz sand and other additives. Importantly it is also water-repellent and vapour permeable
A spokesperson for Wykamol commented: “After much research, we have concluded that as an internal wall insulation solution, ISO-THERM is in a good position to contribute to Government retrofit policies to improve the EPC score of buildings and reduce the likelihood of refurbishment work creating the risk of moisture ingress. The confusing requirement in current standards, stipulating solid wall U-values should achieve a U-value of 0.3 W/m2K can be a deterrent to property owners, whereas cavity wall retrofits are now allowed to achieve a lower figure of 0.55 W/m2K. A similar leniency in the approach to U-values for solid wall retrofits would increase their uptake, resulting in benefits to homeowners and a reduction in energy consumption across older homes.”
For more information visit https://wykamol.com/products/iso-therm-tiwi
