Heating, Ventilation & Insulation
Insulating and stabilising properties with polyurethane foam
By Leonie Onslow, Executive Director, British Urethane Foam
Contractors Association
properties associated with the closed
cell materials. They do not have the same
fire performance as closed cell, so they
should never be left exposed; they have
no structural strength to stabilise roofs
or walls. However, they are better suited
for their enhanced sound attenuation
properties. Open cell foam is also useful
in situations which require more air and
vapour into a building’s interior.
Choosing a professional installer
Specifiers may understand that
polyurethane foam is often used as a
high performing insulant, but often do
not know that it can also be used for
airtightness and stabilisation purposes
too. It is a very versatile material which
can often be used when other materials
are not suitable.
Which material is suitable?
Where the primary purpose is energy
efficiency, then the closed cell option is
normally preferable. Closed cell foams
offer superior energy performance and are
resistant to driving rain meaning that the
material stays dry with no loss of thermal
properties.
The insulant can help act as a barrier to
prevent flood waters from entering the
building through the walls. The British
Board of Agrément certification approves
this insulant for cavity walls in all
exposure zones. Closed cell foams which
achieve a Class 1 fire rating when tested
to BS476 Part 7 are available. Or, where
non-Class 1 materials are used on internal
applications these must be covered by
plasterboard, or a similar thermal barrier.
Conversely, open cell polyurethane
foams do not have the high insulation
The British Urethane Foam Contractors
Association represents sprayed and
injected polyurethane foam installers
operating to high standards. Find
installers at: www.bufca.co.uk.
Panovista® Max: New sunscreen for glass-on-glass
corner windows up to 6m at each side
Minimalism is the word in
contemporary architecture and
Renson responds to this trend
with Panovista. This new type of
fabric sun protection is ideal for
glass-on-glass corner windows
and on sliding glass corner
windows for which conventional
screens cannot provide a
solution.
With Panovista, no unattractive
aluminum profiles or cables are
visible at the corner. Patented
technology ensures that both
sides of the system are rolled up
simultaneously and thus provide
the desired sun protection
without sacrificing visibility
to the outside. Panovista
has to be combined with a
mandatory wind sensor. It is
an ideal solution for both new
construction and renovation,
or for private residences and
projects.
Clever design
When developing this Panovista,
close attention was paid to the
aesthetic aspects and to rapid
integration.
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The cassette and edge guides
can be concealed aesthetically
in the façade, and even the
lower slat disappears into
the cassette when the screen
is completely rolled up. The
system is supplied with
fiberglass fabrics with an
extremely high coefficient of sun
protection. Profiles and fabrics
are available in various colors.
Sun protection for vast
windows up to 6m at each side
Panovista Max now allows
to provide the solar shading
necessary for even larger corner
windows, up to 6m at each side
and 3,4m high. New as well is
the zip that connects both sides
of fabric at the corner when
letting the screen down. That’s
how Panovista Max reaches
the highest degree of wind
resistance ‘3’ available: DIN-EN
1356.
We look forward to meet you
at Architex 2016 - booth Hall A,
stand A24
www.rensonuk.net