Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam. It is usually white and made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several billion kilograms per year.
Polystyrene foams are produced using blowing agents that form bubbles and expand the foam. In expanded polystyrene, these are usually hydrocarbons such as pentane
Extruded polystyrene (XPS)
Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) consists of closed cells, offers improved surface roughness and higher stiffness and reduced thermal conductivity. It is slightly denser and therefore slightly stronger than EPS.
Water vapour diffusion resistance (μ) of XPS is very low - making it suitable for application in wetter environments.
Phenolic foam
Phenolic foam insulation is made from a resole resin in the presence of an acid catalyst, blowing agents (such as pentane) and surfactants.
Polyisocyanurate/ Polyurethane foam (PIR/PUR)
Polyurethane (PUR and PU) is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. Polyurethane can be made in a variety of densities and hardnesses by varying the isocyanate, polyol or additives.
Polyisocyanurate, also referred to as PIR, is a thermoset plastic typically produced as a foam and used as rigid thermal insulation. Its chemistry is similar to polyurethane (PUR) except that the proportion of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is higher and a polyester-derived polyol is used in the reaction instead of a polyether polyol. Catalysts and additives used in PIR formulations also differ from those used in PUR.
Glass mineral wool
Made from molten glass, usually with 20% to 30% recycled industrial waste and post-consumer content. The material is formed from fibres of glass arranged using a binder into a texture similar to wool. The process traps many small pockets of air between the glass, and these small air pockets result in high thermal insulation properties. The density of the material can be varied through pressure and binder content.
Rock mineral wool
Rock (Stone) mineral wool is a furnace product of molten rock at a temperature of about 1600 °C, through which a stream of air or steam is blown. More advanced production techniques are based on spinning molten rock in high-speed spinning heads somewhat like the process used to produce candy floss. The final product is a mass of fine, intertwined fibres with a typical diameter of 2 to 6 micrometers. Mineral wool may contain a binder, often a Ter-polymer, and an oil to reduce dusting
Cellular glass
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.
Wool
Wool insulation is made from sheep wool fibres that are either mechanically held together or bonded using between 5% and 15% recycled polyester adhesive to form insulating batts and rolls. Sheep are no longer farmed primarily for their wool; however, they need to be clipped annually to protect the health of the animal. The wool used to manufacture insulation is the wool discarded as waste by other industries due to its colour or grade
Cellulose
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.
Siniat is the UK’s 3rd largest plasterboard brand. Siniat manufactures drywall products and systems for partitions, ceilings, wall linings and external sheathing purposes. Products are used by first time DIYers and small builders through to some of the most acclaimed architects and construction companies. In 2014, company launched Weather Defence, a plasterboard used as an external sheathing board which has been transforming the construction techniques of large scale projects. However, Siniat manufactures drywall products and systems for partitions, ceilings, wall linings and external sheathing purposes. Being one of the leading manufacturers of interior and exterior materials for drywall construction, forms part of the 60-brand strong, industrial group Etex. This collaboration of proven brands provides us with a resource of exceptional experience and knowledge in the field of construction. Company also develop products and systems that help make your building warmer, dryer, quieter and safer to work and live in. Extensive range of boards and metal frame systems combine to create tailored, high performance cost effective solutions for any type of building construction. Moreover, Siniat offer documentation library that will provide you with all the supporting certificates, technical and safety datasheets, How-To Guides and other sources of useful information to support you throughout the complete specification, design and build process.
Their products and solutions provide new opportunities for innovative specifications in schools, hospitals and other commercial projects. Through customer insights, they also help the sector to cut wastage, improve manual handling, speed up installation times and deliver projects which are sustainable and address lifetime cost.
SINIAT® PRODUCT RANGE
SINIAT® WEATHER DEFENCE™ BOARD
Weather Defence™ is a strong, highly moisture resistant and A1 non combustible sheathing board, faced with water repellent material for superior weather protection. Weather Defence is a faster way to a weather tight building compared to traditional sheathing board products. It complies with BS EN 15283 Type GM-H1, GM-I and GM-F.
SINIAT® STANDARD BOARD
GTEC Standard Board is a gypsum board for partitions, linings and ceilings where normal fire, structural and acoustic levels are specified. It is available with square or tapered edges in a variety of sizes. Tapered edge boards for taping and jointing to achieve a flush finish or for a single coat gypsum plaster finish. Square edge boards for textured finishes or undecorated applications as well as being suitable to receive gypsum plaster.
SINIAT® SECURTEX® BOARD
Siniat securtex board is a strong, dense plasterboard with integrated mesh for use in areas where high levels of sound insulation and burglar attack resistance are critical. It is suitable for multi-residential use, student accommodation, hotels, education and healthcare facilities, and social housing.
SINIAT® MOISTURE BOARD
GTEC Moisture Board is a plasterboard with water resistant additives in the core and liner to provide protection in humid areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms.
SINIAT® LADURA BOARD
Siniat LaDura board is a gypsum hard board (GHB) designed for durability in busy, high traffic areas which are intensively used, or prone to abnormal or rough use including schools, hospitals and hotel corridors. In fact, LaDura is an alternative to a traditional gypsum fibreboard. It is made from gypsum reinforced with wood fibre, it is stronger and harder than other plasterboards giving greater impact and pull out resistance. The board combines fire, moisture and impact resistance and provides a superior finish to gypsum fibreboards.
SINIAT® GTEC VAPOUR BOARD
Siniat Gtec vapour board is a general-purpose dry lining board suitable for applications where a dry lining board with vapour resistance is required. The GTEC vapour board has the same physical property as the standard board, but has a silver, metallized polyester film back liner which enhances the vapour resistance of the product. GTEC Vapour can be jointed and finished with GTEC Jointing Systems. The boards must be primed with GTEC Universal Sealer prior to being decorated.
SINIAT® GTEC THERMAL PIR BOARD
Siniat GTEC Thermal PIR Board (12.5 mm plasterboard, bonded to polyisocyanurate foam PIR) is a insulated dry lining board laminate with enhanced thermal insulation used to provide high levels of improvement to thermal insulation in wall lining and roof applications. An additional vapour control layer reduces the risk of condensation. GTEC Thermal PIR Boards are suitable for a wide range of conversion or refurbishment projects that require a significant upgrade in thermal performance.
SINIAT® GTEC THERMAL K BOARD
Siniat Gtec Thermal K board is an insulated dry lining board suitable for use as a dry lining board laminate with significantly improved thermal insulation, it also has improved fire safety and improved moisture vapour resistance.
SINIAT® GTEC FIRE MR BOARD
Siniat GTEC Fire MR Board is a moisture-resistant, fire-rated plasterboard suitable for use in areas where increased fire resistance is required, and moisture exposure is possible. GTEC Fire MR Board plasterboard provides superior fire and moisture resistance for stud partitions, wall lining and ceiling systems. Achieve 60 minutes fire resistance from a 15mm single layer partition system. It complies with BS1230 Type 5 and BS EN 520 Types D, F and H1.
SINIAT® GTEC FIRE CORE BOARD
Siniat GTEC Fire Core Board is a fire-resistant, high-strength board, suitable for the GTEC Shaftwall systems and for fire protection. It is also suitable for use in areas where there is moisture present. The board is thicker, stronger, harder and heavier than standard plasterboards, and has superior fire resistance, sound insulation and impact resistance.
SINIAT® GTEC E BOARD
Siniat GTEC E Board is a dense plasterboard for use in areas where sound insulation is critical. It can be used for party wall type 4 of Building Regulations Approved Document E, for all ceiling treatment types A, B or C of Approved Document E, and internal partition types A and B. Also, for all refurbishment solutions with plasterboard proposed in Approved Document E.
SINIAT® FIRE BOARD
Siniat fire board is a high performance fire board for use in areas where improved fire resistance is required. It achieve 60 minutes fire resistance from a 15mm single layer partition system. It complies with BS1230 Type 5 and BS EN 520 Types D and F.
SINIAT® dB BOARD
Siniat dB board is a dense sound insulation board suitable for installation with stud partitions, lining systems and ceilings. It can cut-out noise up to 49 Rw dB when using a single layer of 15 mm each side of a partition system. The board is stronger, harder and heavier than standard plasterboard and complies with BS EN 520:2004+A1:2009 Type D and I.
SINIAT® BLUECLAD BOARD
Siniat Bluclad is a cement fibre board suitable for external sheathing, direct render and other textured finishes. The board has outstanding dimensional stability, making it suitable as a substrate for a variety of thin-coat polymeric renders. Bluclad is available in a standard 10 mm thickness, and has a textured surface for rendering.
SINIAT® PROMATECT® - XW
Siniat Promatect-XW is a high performance fire protection board used to protect structural steel for 60 minutes and has been extensively installed by both dry lining contractors and fire protection specialists since its launch in 2020. The board used to provide one, two, three or four sided encasements to:
Universal columns and beams (I or H sections) and joists;
Beams supporting composite floors with profiled metal decking;
Structural hollow sections;
Partially exposed members;
Perimeter beams;
Lattice beams;
Wind posts;
Bracing.
Video credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg3HdgHmERI
Siniat Weather Defence External Sheathing Board 12.5mm x 1200mm x 2400mm is a strong, moisture resistant A1 non-combustible exterior sheathing board faced with water repellent material that is compliant for structures above 18m in height.
Weather Defence™ is a revolutionary facade external sheath..
12.5mm Siniat Weather Defence™ (A1 Non-combustible) 3000mm x 1200mm is an External Sheathing Board used for external sheathing applications in steel or timber frame construction with rainscreen, insulated render, brick or block facade systems.
Weather Defence Siniat is a revolutionary facade exte..
12.5mm Siniat GTEC Weather Defence™
Siniat Façade Board Class ‘0’ to UK Building Regulations
Fire classification: A1 Non-combustible (Fire Rated Board)
3000mm x 1200mm x 12.5mm External Sheathing Board
Strong, compliant for structures above 18m in height