With labour costs eating into a building project’s profits, using methods and materials that save time without compromising quality is an excellent way to get better value from a development
Of course, the focus must be on ensuring the end result meets building requirements, but if that is not only achievable but can even be exceeded while reducing outlay, then it would seem a sensible approach.
When it comes to installing insulation and related membranes, some products can be installed twice as quickly as traditional alternatives, with very evident overall cost savings.
Fewer steps to achieving U-value
Actis two-in-one reflective insulation with an integrated vapour barrier, Eolis HC, for example, can be installed twice as quickly as traditional alternatives.
In fact, the company has carried out time trials to illustrate just how much more speedily the product can be installed.
Part of the reason for its speed is that fewer steps are required to achieve an impressive U-value, as well as airtightness.
Because it is flexible, it can be squeezed into gaps, unlike PIR board, which needs to be cut to fit between each rafter.
Installers need only lay the product, like a blanket, across the rafters on the inside (warm side) of the building, sealing each section to the next with a self-adhesive lap.
As a result, time trials show that insulating across timbers with Eolis HC is at least twice as quick as using PIR board.
Actis materials don’t need to be cut
The time difference is even more dramatic in Eolis HC’s favour when you include the time spent handling materials on site and clearing up afterwards.
Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper explained: “The beauty of the Triplex technology from which Eolis HC is produced is that it removes the time-consuming annoyance of cutting insulation to fit between timbers.
“It eliminates an entire step in the process. It’s designed to work with high- or low-resistance underlay. You just lay the Eolis HC across the warm side of the structure and cover it with rigid insulation and plasterboard or, to save even more time, use insulated plasterboard for the final finish.”
York builder Ben Wardell from All Round Developments loves how quickly he can install Actis products.
“Since switching to Actis, we’ve also saved on labour time, as the material is much quicker to fit. Plus, it’s easy for one person to take the material from the delivery lorry, load out, cut and fit, whereas with the PIR board it’s more of a two-person job to move and carry it up the stairs.”
Watch the Eolis HC time trial video, which shows 15m2 of Eolis HC being installed into a pitched roof in just 45 minutes.
For more information on speeding up insulation installation, contact the Actis technical team on 01249 462888 or visit https://www.insulation-actis.com.
The post More speed, less haste – how using Actis materials can reduce labour costs appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
