If you are looking to install a perimeter upstand insulation system, there are many options available. Celotex TB4000, ProTherm SD Upstand Insulation Board, Eurothane(r) GP, and Stone wool backed options are some of the options you have. Whether you are a homeowner, a commercial building owner, or a designer, there is a material that is ideal for your needs.
Celotex TB4000
Celotex TB4000 perimeter up-stand insulation is a great way to prevent heat escaping from solid floor constructions. This material is suitable for use as vertical perimeter upstand insulation and is compatible with Celotex GA4000 and XR4000. This product offers excellent thermal properties, offering a thermal conductivity of just 0.022 W/mK. In addition, it is environmentally friendly, offering a zero global warming potential and no ozone depletion potential.
The thinnest Celotex product, TB4000 is a high-performance rigid polyisocyanurate insulation board, designed to eliminate thermal bridging and reduce localised heat loss. Its versatility makes it perfect for use on floor, wall, and roof systems. In addition, it can also be used as a lining material for door and window reveals.
Celotex TB4000 Insulation is a low emissivity, easy-to-install polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation board. It has a low thermal conductivity of just 0.022 W/mK, reducing the thickness required to achieve target U-values. It is also easy to work with, lightweight, rigid, and suitable for floor applications.
TB4000 perimeter upstand insulation uses two layers of low emissivity foil to prevent thermal bridging. It comes in 20mm, 25mm, and 30mm thick. Most sizes are available from stock and only require two or three working days to deliver. In addition to offering great thermal performance, TB4000 also offers good sound insulation.
ProTherm SD Upstand Insulation Board
The SD Upstand Insulation Board is a weather resistant 6mm weather resistant polystyrene foam panel used for thermally insulating upstand walls. It is available in a range of thicknesses and is A-rated in the Green Guide to Specification. The board is suitable for use with inverted roofing waterproofing and is available in custom quantities.
It features high performance extruded polystyrene bonded to a 6mm thermal laminate facing board. It meets the rigorous requirements of BS EN 13374 and BS EN 12267 and is suitable for both vertical and horizontal upstands. It is chemically inert and does not degrade under normal building conditions.
Eurothane(r) GP
The Eurothane(r) GP perimeter insulation board is a high-performance rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam board, faced with a multi-layer coated aluminium foil. Its thermal conductivity is extremely low, 0.022 W/mK, and it is resistant to moisture vapour. It is available in a range of thicknesses, from 25mm to 160mm, and is easy to handle and install.
The Eurothane GP perimeter upstand insulation is compatible with any pitched roof construction. It complies with the 0.2 U-value Building Regulation standard when used in single or double layers and eliminates the need for a vapour control layer. It is also ideal for use as part of a heated floor system as it prevents condensation within the roof structure.
GP insulation provides a lightweight solution for storing goods, while its mechanical fixing means minimal load on the structure. It can also be used to top-up the insulation levels in horizontal ceilings. Alternatively, it can be installed directly over mineral wool, if needed. However, the ceiling needs to be strong enough to withstand the installation loads.
Stone wool backed option
Stone wool rigid insulation boards are an attractive choice for perimeter upstand insulation, as they provide an even R-value per inch. This type of insulation offers many benefits, including the ability to contribute to a building’s comfort, safety, and fire resilience. It also helps to control moisture problems, which are often associated with basements. In many climates, new-builds experience moisture condensing on the polyethylene vapor barrier and pooling on the basement floor, resulting in conditions that are conducive to mold growth.
The natural anti-microbial properties of stone wool help to prevent mold and mildew growth. Stone wool insulation also acts as a moisture repellent. Unlike polyiso, stone wool insulation does not absorb water, which means that it helps to prevent moisture from damaging other materials in the roof system. Furthermore, it enables vapors to disperse throughout the material, which keeps it breathable and stable.
Another feature of stone wool insulation is that it maintains its dimensions and physical characteristics throughout the lifecycle of a building. This allows it to continue providing full thermal insulation coverage for the roof’s entire service life. As a result, stone wool is an excellent choice for perimeter upstand insulation in older buildings and homes.
The AIM Upstand Boards are fully external grade and freeze resistant. The board thickness will vary depending on the type of roof system, but it is usually 1200 x 600mm in size. Stone wool backed insulation has a lower thermal expansion coefficient than organic insulation boards. Therefore, stone wool backed insulation is more stable than organic boards.
Stone wool backed insulation is also suitable for interior partitions in residential wood stud construction. It is non-combustible, which prevents the spread of fire and toxic smoke. It also provides an easy friction fit into walls. And it is GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which makes it an eco-friendly option for soundproofing your home.
Vapour control layer over perimeter upstand insulation
Upstand insulation is a thermal barrier that reduces thermal bridging in a building. It is typically 25mm thick and is installed between the edge of a concrete floor slab and an inner wall. It should be tight against the floor or wall insulation and not have gaps. During installation, brick bonded or lightly butted insulation boards should be used to reduce gaps.
The waterproof membrane should be positioned beneath the insulation. This is because the insulation will penetrate the membrane. As a result, it is important to provide drainage at the membrane level. The insulation boards should be tightly jointed and should fit around upstands and service penetrations. The thermal resistance of the construction should be at least 0.15 m2K/W. However, it should not be higher than 25% of the overall thermal resistance of the construction.
To prevent condensation and migration of liquid screed, a vapour control layer should be used over perimeter upstand insulation. This is an essential part of the construction process, and it must be fitted as a continuous layer of insulation. The vapour control layer must extend over the perimeter upstand insulation by a minimum of 25mm. It should not exceed the thickness of the floor insulation, wall plaster, or skirting.
Another option for installing a vapour control layer is DPM sheeting. The DPM sheet is suitable for this purpose, but it must be tightly sealed. It should be installed on the warm side of the insulation. The vapour control layer is also known as a vapour control barrier, but it should never be mistaken for a damp proof membrane.