Get ready for winter with Actis’ insulation, vapour control and breather membrane products
The current frosty, snowy weather and rising energy prices are acting as a reminder for builders to ensure clients' homes are ‘roof ready’ to help them bring down heating costs.
That’s the message from insulation specialist Actis, whose dream roofing combo of an insulating breather membrane and a two-in-one reflective insulation with integrated vapour barrier is an ideal way for specifiers to ensure their roofing projects are prepared for the elements.
Pairing Actis’ BoostR Hybrid Roof with Eolis HC offers an easy to use and thermally extremely effective way of eliminating condensation and preventing moisture entering the building.
BoostR Hybrid Roof, aimed at both the new build and refurb market and used on the cold side of roofs, is, thanks in part to the addition of a lap and the inclusion of built-in adhesive tape, quick and easy to install.
In an existing building it’s a case of removing the tiles and felt, laying it over the timber rafters, stapling it in place, then counter battening before replacing the tile battens and tiles. It doesn’t require any special cutting tools, eye or respiratory protection and there’s hardly any wastage.
In common with its sister BoostR Hybrid product, it has the highest thermal resistance of any insulating breather membrane of the same thickness on the market and is extremely cost competitive.
While BoostR Hybrid Roof is used on the cold side of the roof, Eolis HC is applied on the warm side.
Builders say the product is transforming their experience of insulating lofts and barn conversions, not least because fewer steps are required for them to achieve an impressive U-value and airtightness.
In fact, Eolis HC is twice as quick as using traditional alternatives.
It is especially useful in shallow rafter scenarios where existing sarking felt is not being replaced and headroom is at a premium. Part of the reason for this, in addition to the thinness of the product, is because it doesn’t require the usual 25mm ventilated air gap to avoid condensation – at least for most locations throughout the UK.
Using Eolis HC instead of PIR board means there’s no need to cut insulation to fit between each rafter. Instead, installers can just lay the product across the rafters on the inside (warm side) of the building, stapling the product in place and sealing each section to the next with an integrated self-adhesive lap.
A series of video tutorials on BoostR Hybrid Roof and Eolis HC look in detail at how to install the products.