Largely manufactured from recycled glass (e.g. windscreens) and mineral base materials such as sand and without the use of binding agents. The ingredients are melted into molten glass, which is cooled and crushed into a fine powder. The powdered glass is poured into molds and heated (below the melting point) in a "sintering" process that causes the particles to adhere to one another. Next, a small amount of finely ground carbon-black is added and the material is heated in a "cellulation" process. Here, the carbon reacts with oxygen, creating carbon dioxide, which creates the insulating bubbles in the (material). CO2 accounts for more than 99% of the gas in the cellular spaces.
Cellulose insulation is a material made from recycled newspaper. The paper is shredded and inorganic salts, such as boric acid, are added for resistance to fire, mould, insects and vermin. The insulation is installed either blown or damp-sprayed depending on application.
Wood fibre
The success of wood fibre insulation derives from an attractive environmental profile combined with a whole bag of functions including rigid insulation, sheathing and sarking for timber frames, roofs and flooring as well as flexible insulation for studs and rafters.
Wood of course is renewable, it sequesters carbon during its growth and product production is relatively free from pollution. The insulation value of wood fibre boards is not as dimensionally efficient as some of the orthodox petro-chemical materials - but it's no slouch either - typically coming in with a 'k value' range of between 0.038-0.043 W/mK depending on format.
Hemp
Hemp fibres are produced from hemp straw of the hemp plant. Most hemp is imported, but an increasing amount of home-grown crop is becoming available. Hemp grows up to a height of nearly 4 metres within a period of 100-120 days. Because the plants shade the soil, no chemical protection or toxic additives are required for hemp cultivation. The product is composed of, usually, 85% hemp fibre with the ballance made up of polyester binding and 3-5% soda added for fire proofing.
Straw
Straw is an agricultural by-product, the dry stalks of cereal plants, after the grain and chaff have been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of cereal crops such asbarley, oats, rice, rye and wheat.
PIR insulated plasterboard is a high-performance, easy-to-install polyisocyanurate insulation board, commonly chosen for insulating walls from the inside in the UK. It is laminated to a piece of 12.5mm or 9.5mm tapered edge wallboard, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for both insulation and dry lining in a single application. It stands out as an excellent alternative to phenolic insulated plasterboard. Because of that, it is a cheaper solution than buying both constituent parts. These insulated plasterboards also incorporate an integral vapour control layer, which helps to reduce the risk of condensation. Moreover, it provides a continuous layer of thermal insulation across studs in timber frame walls removing the ‘thermal shorts’ that occur at the framing which can reduce the insulation value of a conventional wall by up to 20%. Designed to achieve excellent thermal u-value where minimal cavity is required giving buildings continued thermal efficiency throughout their life span.
In terms of thermal conductivity, panels can be classifed as a middle class product offering 0.022W/mk. They are easy to handle and quick to install. All boards are easily applicable measuring 2400mm x 1200mm. Boards can be fixed with plasterboard screws or even adhesive, making it an easier option. The thermal laminates boards are suitable for direct bonding ('Dot and Dab') and mechanically fixed installation techniques. Therefore it has been incredibly popular due to installation time and cost. The ability to install quickly is a huge advantage. This 2 in 1 product brings a whole host of benefits to your home. Starting from low labour costs to low heating bills. Future costs will be kept down due to the energy efficiency of Thermal Plasterboard. In fact, 72.5mm Celotex PIR core insulated plasterboard turned out to be a great alternative to phenolic core 62.5mm Kingspan Kooltherm K118. For more information on how to install insulated plasterboard click here. For information on how to cut PIR click here.
PIR CORE INSULATED PLASTERBOARD THICKNESSES | MANUFACTURERS
Generally speaking, using PIR core insulated plasterboard you are not limited to any thicknesses. Boards may vary according to application, but some of the sheets are as thin as 24.5mm thick. While Celotex brand offer thicknesses such as: 32.5mm, 37mm, 42.5mm, 47.5mm, 52.5mm, 57.5mm, 62.5mm, 67.5mm, 72.5mm and 77.5mm, Unilin offer wider range of thicknesses when compared to Celotex, with additional thicknesses: 24.5mm, 27.5mm, 29.5mm, 74.5mm, 79.5mm, 82.5mm, 84.5mm, 87.5mm, 89.5mm, 92.5mm, 99.5mm, 102.5mm, 109.5mm, 112.5mm, 119.5mm and 122.5mm.
On other hand British Gypsum Gyproc ThermaLine boards somes in thicknesses: 53mm, 63mm, 78mm and 93mm. All of the boards are bonded to 2 types of plasterboard: tapered edge 12.5mm or 9.5mm. The thickness of the insulated plasterboard strictly depends on the thickness of the underlying insulation core. For instance 15mm insulation core, 12.5mm panels are glued and so on. In fact, using 62.5mm insulated plasterboard will do the same job as 100mm of acoustic roll. With a 62.5mm board you should expect to see a reduction in your heating bills by around 25%.
The best and most popular thicknesses in the UK are: 24.5mm, 27.5mm, 29.5mm, 37.5mm, 62.5mm and 72.5mm. All of the foam backed plasterboard range comes from well-known brands like Celotex, Unilin, Warmline and British Gypsum so you're free to take your pick between whichever suits you. Both the Celotex PL4000 and Unilin XT/TL insulated plasterboard offerings come in many sizes and thicknesses for application in between and under rafters and joists, in solid masonry walls and in timber frame builds. Moreover, boards are available either in standard or moisture resistant versions.
Insulated plasterboard can be installed using a variety of methods. The construction of the wall will determine the installation method to be used. If the adhesive bond is not satisfactorily achieved due to the surface of the wall, a mechanically fixed method should be considered. The following installation method applies to brick cavity, block, concrete and masonry walls.
Ensure the wall is not subject to moisture penetration, and the surface to be bonded to is free from any contaminants such as oil, grease, paint, release agent, thatmay affect the bond of the adhesive to the wall.
Apply an adhesive to the wall or the back of the board, each dab to be approximately 25mm in diameter and height. The dabs are to be a maximum 50mm from all edges of theinsulated panel, and a 450mm grid pattern thereafter.
All boards need to be positioned to be both square and plumb before the adhesive begins to cure.
Install a minimum of 6 medium duty mechanical anchors (100mm from the start, from the end, and side of the board on both sides), to act as an intermediate restraint for the panel ensuring a correct sheet position prior to the adhesive reaching full cure. (Refer to fixing manufacturer instructions for more information).
It may be necessary to use additional mechanical fixings to maintain uniform straightness and prevent longitudinal “bowing” in the centre of the panel.
Plasterboard finishing as per the plasterboard manufacturers installation guide.
For more info on how to install insulated plasterboard clik here.
FOAM BACKED PLASTERBOARD BUILDING REGULATIONS
Building Regulations are law and must be met when applied to any project over a certain size. Where 50% or more of the internal wall is being renovated building regulations would normally apply, and the thermal insulation of the wall would have to meet the standards required by building regulations approved documents. The regulation that refers to the thermal efficiency requirements when carrying out renovation or replacement work on an existing dwelling is explained in Approved Document L1B (ADL1B).
For instance, to meet Part L when constructing an extension you need to meet a U-value of 0.28W/m2K. When new layers are added to a thermal element through being dry lined internally the U-value of 0.30W/m2K is required. If at least 50% of the element is being renovated then it should be upgraded to achieve the U-values as follow:
Pitched roof - insulation at ceiling level 0.16W/m2K
Flat roof or roof with integral insulation 0.18W/m2K
Pitched roof - insulation between rafters 0.18W/m2K
According to building regulations insulated plasterboard should normally be at least 60mm thick, and can be up to 100mm. When we talk about foam backed plasterboards either Celotex or Unilin are the best products of choice. While Celotex offers PL4000 Thermal Laminate insulation board, Unilin offers XT/TL Thermal Liner.
PIR INSULATED PLASTERBOARD APPLICATION
It is suitable for use in roof and internal wall lining applications.
Ideal for lining cold wall faces especially cellars and concrete slab construction.
119.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL Thermal Liner Composite Insulated Plasterboard Dot and Dab is an insulated panel combined of polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard used for internal applications.
Xtratherm XT/TL Drylining Board is a highly versatile and durable t..
119.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is a 110mm PIR insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide thermal insulation and dry lining in one operation that is suitable for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtra..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
122.5mm (110mm) Unilin XT/TL Thermal Liner is a composite insulated plasterboard made of 110mm PIR insulation bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard used for internal walls, ceilings, pitched and flat roof applications.
Unilin XT/TL Insulation and Drylining Board provides an effective vapour control layer..
110mm PIR rigid foam insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard
Used for internal walls, ceilings, pitched and flat roof applications
Suitable for a variety of wall types for both refurbishment and new build
122.5mm (123mm) Unilin XT/TL Board incorporates an integral vapour barrier
Improves energy efficiency of your home by reducing energy costs
122.5mm Unilin XT/TL-MF is a foil backed insulated plasterboard made of 110mm PIR rigid foam insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard used for internal walls, roofs and ceilings.
The composite foil facing on Unilin XT/TL-MF Insulation and Drylining Board provides a gas and vapour tight barri..
122.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Insulated Palsterboard consist of 110mm PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard, used for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Unilin Board is a highly versatile and dura..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
122.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL Thermal Liner Insulated Plasterboard Dot and Dab is an excellent insulated panel combined of 110mm PIR rigid foam insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard used for internal applications.
Xtratherm XT/TL Drylining Board is a highly versatile and durable thermal insulat..