polarwall technical guidance note 002 · it is designed to highlight other products that have been...
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polarwall technical guidance note 002
July 2008
about this document This is the second of two guidance documents offering advice to anyone building with Polarwall.
It is designed to highlight other products that have been used successfully with Polarwall providing general advice as how and when they are best used.
Contents. page no.
introduction 1 floor types 2
Beam & block 2 Ground bearing slab 3 Hollow core slab (ground) 3 Steel deck flooring 4 Hollow core slab (upper) 5 Timber joist floor (ground) 5 Timber joists floors (upper) 6
roof construction 7 Truss & attic truss rafters 7 SIP roof panels 8 Flat roofs 8
cladding styles 9 Acrylic based thin coat renders 9 Silicone based thin coat renders 10 Sand cement render 10 Timber cladding 11 Tile hanging 11 Cement fibreboard siding 12 Stone facing 13 Brick slips 14 Brick 15
basement waterproofing 16 External membranes 17 Internal membranes 17 Waterproofed concrete 18 Internal drainage system 18 Hydrophilic strips & water bars 19
window & door fixing 20 Frame fixing 20 Sealing 20 Vertical dpc 20
introduction The guide provides advice on how other products interact with Polarwall in the following areas.
•Ground floor types •Upper floor types •Roof construction •Cladding styles •Basement waterproofing •Window and door fixing
It is designed to provide users with helpful advice of other products and partnering companies that can be used with Polarwall.
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, the user should check with the manufacturer or company that it is fit for use with the Polarwall product.
Polarwall Ltd do not warrant or guarantee any recommendation, which in turn must be sort from other companies whose products are being used.
NB: There are a number of hyperlinks in this document that link directly to other product websites as well the Polarwall standard details. As such this document is best viewed when access to the internet is available.
1
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2 floor types
There are 2 generic types of floor, one that rests on a load bearing wall and one that fixes into the inside face of a loadbearing wall. Polarwall can accommodate both in the construction process.
Ground Floors that bear onto the Polarwall concrete wall
Disadvantages: Using above ground floor level requires lifting equipment.
Outlets: Beam & block floors generally are ordered off the shelf and are therefore available through most good builders merchants. Hanson Jet Floor is an alternative that offers insulation infill instead of concrete blocks.
Advantages: Simple and quick to use providing flexibility when services are taken through the floor. Available off the shelf providing quick delivery times. Good on fire and acoustic performance.
Typical use: Most residential buildings on top of the substructure walls where a suspended floor is required to combat the presence of radon or methane gas. Can also be used as a separating floor between different storey levels.
Polarwall detail: PWD/020
Description: A series of beams are placed onto the Polarwall concrete structure. They are spaced at designed centres in order to support concrete blocks, which are used to infill the space between the beams
Beam & block flooring
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Disadvantages: Where radon and methane are present the use of specially adapted sump and protective membranes are required.
Advantages: Simple construction, and widely specified.
Outlets: On site constructed with readymixed concrete
Typical use: Residential application
Polarwall detail: PWD/009 raft or PWD/014 ground bearing
Description: Insitu concrete ground bearing slabs, either totally supported by the ground or resting on it. The Polarwall product will act as a shutter to the ground bearing slab, or where the slab is constructed in a basement it will be shuttered with ordinary formwork.
Ground bearing slab
Disadvantages: Require heavy lifting equipment, have long lead times for delivery. The nature of the product can preclude small scale or one –off developments
Advantages: Provide an instant workable platform once installed. Have the ability to span greater lengths than most other floors. Good on fire and acoustic performance.
Outlets: Bison Coltman Milbank
Typical use: Most residential applications, however their use tends to be confined to larger projects where economies of scale are present.
Polarwall detail: PWD/004
Description: Precast concrete panels that bear onto the Polarwall concrete wall. Within the panels are a series of hollow channels where services can be passed through. They are prestressed with high tensile strands or wire to give structural performance.
Precast hollow core slabs
Ground Floor raft or slab
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4 floor types contd…
Disadvantages: The nature of the product precludes most small residential developments. Concrete needs to be applied via pump.
Advantages: Lightweight materials allow easy application of upper floor construction. Very good for large areas and spans. Good on fire and acoustic performance.
Outlets: Kingspan Multideck Structural Metal Decks Richard Lees Corus
Typical use: Used where large floor areas are being constructed in buildings such as apartments or commercial structures.
Polarwall detail: PWD/004
Description: Metal ribbed sheets that bear onto the Polarwall concrete structure. They are mechanically fixed together to create a platform, onto which ready mixed concrete is poured to form the floor structure. Propping of the platform is required. Reinforcement can be fibre instead of mesh
Steel deck flooring
Upper Floors that bear onto the Polarwall concrete wall
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floor types contd… 5
Disadvantages: See details for ground floor
Advantages: See details for ground floor
Outlets: See details for ground floor
Typical use: See details for ground floor
Polarwall detail: PWD/004 See details for ground floor
Description: See details for ground floor
Precast hollow core slabs
Ground Floors that fix into the Polarwall concrete wall
Description: Timber floors are rarely used for ground floor construction due to inability to suitably insulate the floor. No further information will be given on this point
Timber joist floors
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6 floor type contd…
Disadvantages: Some people prefer heavy weight construction for flooring. These timber joists will however, provide the necessary sound and fire performance requirements.
Advantages: A cheap and lightweight construction that provides an easy way to run services through the floor.
Outlets: Most good builders merchants and timber manufacturer outlets will stock a range of timber joists. These are a few of the current joist products Trusjoist Posijoist Ecojoist
Typical use: Ideal for most residential applications for upper floor construction.
Polarwall detail: PWD/006
Description: Timber floors consist of joists that span from one load bearing wall to another. On top of the joists decking is fixed in place to provide a walking platform. Increasingly the industry is moving away from site made joists to premanufactured ‘I’ beams or joists. These joists span onto a timber ledger cast into the Polarwall and are hung off face mounted joist hangers.
Timber joist flooring
Upper Floors that fix into the Polarwall concrete wall
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7 roof construction
Disadvantages: Where it is proposed to live in the roof, insulation has to be added as rigid foam or wool between rafters. Multifoil can also be used in conjunction with this application.
Advantages: Standard product, that is predominantly used in the market. Will offer a cheap way to construct the roof.
Outlets: Most good builders merchants provide access to companies who design and make truss structures or alternatively a truss manufacture can be accessed locally. There are a number of manufactures located across the country.
Typical use: Ideal for most residential applications
Polarwall detail: PWD/008 & PWD/015
Description: A trussed rafter is an engineered framework consisting of structural members forming triangles. The framework derives its inherent strength from this triangulation. This is attached to the wall plate that sits at the top of the Polarwall concrete wall. Depending on location further measures may be required to secure the roof construction to the building.
Standard truss rafters including attic trusses
The type of construction largely depends on the intended use of the roof. If the roof is being lived in or is required to meet lifetime home standards, then a warm roof can be proposed.
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roof construction contd… 8
Disadvantages: As with any offsite construction, lead in times may be longer than a truss roof option.
Advantages: Provider of good insulation and airtightness to match that of the Polarwall product.
Outlets: Smart Roof spans gable to gable Jabroof – spans ridge to wall plate
Typical use: Ideal for most residential applications
Polarwall detail: PWD/015
Description: A SIP panel consists of a sandwiched layer of polystyrene or other insulation surrounded by timber or OSB panels. They either run from a ridge beam down to the wall plate or span from gable to gable.
SIP roof panels
Disadvantages:May not be acceptable to all planning departments
Advantages: Allows use of the roof for covering with grass or wild flowers.
Outlets: See hollowcore flooring options above. Also glulam beams can be used.
Typical use: Ideal for most residential applications
Polarwall detail: PWD/022
Description: A flat roof is generally accompanied with an up stand or parapet wall to provide a waterproofed and aesthetic finish to the building. Where loading is an issue the roof must be able to support dead weights, such as a grass roof. Both concrete and timber materials can be used to create the roof.
Flat roof
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9 cladding styles There are many different styles of cladding, the uses of which are largely dictated by the local vernacular and planning approval conditions.
Where the application of render is being sought, we would recommend contacting the various companies listed, to ensure correct product application and detailing.
Disadvantages: There are non with ICF
Advantages: Thin coat renders have an ability to move with the substrate. Any thermal expansion within the Polarwall insulation is therefore taken up by the render thus preventing hairline cracking to the surface. Render is precoloured thus minimising maintenance. Acrylic render is also vapour permeable, highly weather resistant and hydrophobic
Outlets: Heathfield Specialist Finishes & Coatings Wetherby Building Systems sps rendering solutions
Typical use: Ideal for most residential & commercial applications
Polarwall detail: All render must be used in conjunction with the X25 to X100 Polarwall products. This ensures a flush insulation face onto which the render is applied.
Description: This is a thin coat render that is applied in 3 parts. A reinforcing mortar is applied direct to the Polarwall, into which a proprietary reinforcing mesh is embedded into the mortar. Where required, a coat of primer appropriate in colour shade to that of the finishing render can be used. A decorative topcoat is then applied to provide an aesthetic finish. Overall thickness of the finish is approximately 812mm.
Acrylic based thin coat renders
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cladding styles contd… 10
Disadvantages: There are non
Advantages: As well as exhibiting the same properties as the acrylic based render, silicone render also provides greater weather resistance, is extremely hydrophobic and offers good resistance to dirt build up.
Outlets: See acrylic based thin coat renders
Typical use: See acrylic based thin coat renders. May be used in certain geographical locations, i.e coastal
Polarwall detail: See acrylic based thin coat renders
Description: See acrylic based thin coat renders
Silicone Based thin coat renders
Disadvantages: Will require regular painting and maintenance, the metal lath can promote cracking.
Advantages: Known experience with a wide variety of contractors
Outlets: Mixed on site, this is provided through the builder/contractor
Typical use: Used on most buildings, however not ideal with ICF
Polarwall detail: Where sand cement renders are used a metal lath must be mechanically fixed to the Polarwall. This now becomes the substrate carrier to the render. The lath must be fixed according to the specific project and manufacturers recommendations.
Description: This is a thicker finish that is made up with sand, cement and sometimes lime, which is used to prevent rapid shrinkage.
Sand cement based renders
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11 cladding styles contd…
Disadvantages: Weathering can take its toll. Will require periodic maintenance
Advantages: Known experience with a wide variety of contractors, easy to install.
Outlets: Variety of local suppliers around the country
Typical use: Can be used on most buildings, where planning dictates
Polarwall detail: PWD/025 Battens and counter battens may be required to provide the necessary fixing points onto which the cladding is placed. Battens must be fixed to the Polarwall in accordance with the specific project and engineered requirements.
Description: Timber siding can either be placed vertically or horizontally against the Polarwall depending on the style required. Cedar is a popular use as it weathers to a grey finish.
Timber sidings
Using Polarwall and timber, tile hanging and siding
Disadvantages: Not all planning authorities will accept the style
Advantages: Known experience with a wide variety of contractors, easy to install. Provides a robust finish.
Outlets: Good builders merchants
Typical use: Can be used on most buildings, where planning dictates
Polarwall detail: PWD/025 As with timber siding, battens and counter battens may be required to provide the necessary fixing positions for the tile. Battens must be fixed to the Polarwall in accordance with the specific project and engineered requirements
Description: Tile hanging is used to create a weather tight barrier against the Polarwall.
Tile hanging
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Disadvantages: Not all planning authorities will accept the style.
Advantages: Colour proof unlike timber, very weather resistant and maintenance free.
Outlets: RCM James Hardie Cembrit Blunn
Typical use: Most residential buildings
Polarwall detail: PWD/025 Battens and counter battens may be required to provide the necessary fixing points onto which the cladding is placed. Battens must be fixed to the Polarwall in accordance with the specific project and engineered requirements.
Description: Cement fibreboard siding can either be placed vertically or horizontally against the Polarwall depending on the style required
Cement fibreboard sidings
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Disadvantages: natural stone is expensive.
Advantages: Provides a robust masonry skin to the building
Outlets: Stone can be purchased locally from quarries or through builders merchants. Other sources are: Bradstone (reconstituted) Helical screws can be purchased from: Wallfast Helical Systems
Typical use: Can be used on most buildings, where planning dictates
Polarwall detail: PWD/013 & 005 Stone or masonry is bedded against and tied to Polarwall using a helical screw that is inserted into the concrete core. Helical screws must be fixed to the Polarwall in accordance with the specific project and engineered requirements.
Description: Stone is used in certain areas of the country where the local planning conditions dictate. It can either be natural quarried stone or reconstituted manufactured stone. The main issue surrounding choice is one of whole life cost (reconstituted stone is better) against look (natural stone is better).
Stone facing
Using Polarwall and masonry
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Disadvantages: The range of styles and colours available may be limited.
Advantages: Provides a masonry skin to the building without the extra width of a brick plus cavity.
Outlets: Nova Brick WBS
Typical use: Can be used on most buildings.
Polarwall detail: A reinforcing mesh is fixed direct to the Polarwall, onto which the brick slip is then bonded.
Description: Brick is probably the most widely used cladding in the UK. Where slips are used, the brick is much thinner and is generally stuck onto an adhesive reinforcing mortar. Mortarless bricks can be used that also stack into each other.
Brick slips
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Disadvantages: The extra masonry is not required for structural purposes (this is provided solely by Polarwall). A brick slip may be a better option.
Advantages: Provides a robust masonry skin to the building
Outlets: Good builders merchants Hanson Ibstock
Typical use: Can be used on most buildings.
Polarwall detail: PWD/013 & 005 The brick is constructed away from the Polarwall by 1050mm depending on geographical conditions. Helical screws can be inserted into the concrete core tying in the brickwork. Alternatively 90degree metal brackets fixed into the Polarwall H Rail and concrete core can be used to tie the brickwork. Ties must be fixed to the Polarwall in accordance with the specific project and engineered requirements.
Description: Brick is probably the most widely used cladding in the UK
Brick
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basement waterproofing 16 Polarwall is used widely for structural basement formwork and formation. The resulting concrete structure provides the resistance to hold back the surrounding earth. Reinforcement will be used in conjunction with this concrete to provide the necessary engineering stability.
Polarwall is not used as a means of waterproofing the basement and it should not be treated as such. There are a number of different ways to achieve this. All have their merits and drawbacks.
There are 4 grades of basement and 3 types of waterproofing Type A is tanked, type B is structural and type C is drained. Polarwall can work with all types.
If water does find its way into a structure, it will be at construction joints. Therefore the wall and slab connection is the weakest part of the basement.
It is always recommended that a ground investigation report is undertaken to assess the specific site conditions first as these will dictate the level of waterproofing required.
We always recommend that more than one protective measure be put in place.
Basic utility car parks non electrical plant rooms etc..
better utility workshops, plant room etc..
Habitable offices, leisure living etc..
Special archives, computer rooms etc..
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Type B:
Type A:
Type B:
Type A:
Type B:
Type C:
Type A:
Type B:
Type C:
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17 basement waterproofing contd…
Disadvantages: Prone to puncture when backfilling. Must be lapped and taped correctly.
Advantages: Easy to apply on the wall
Outlets: There are many products on the market, here are a few that have been used with Polarwall. Fosroc Proofex 3000 (bonded) Fosroc Hydromat (mechanical fix) (link as above) Grace Bituthene 3000 (bonded) Renovation Solutions Ltd – materials outlet
Typical use: Used on basement and retaining walls
Polarwall detail: PWD/009 It is always recommended that the manufacture is consulted prior to product application.
Description: These are membranes, which are more commonly known as tanking systems. They are either bonded or mechanically fixed to the outside of the Polarwall. The tanking is lapped and sealed with the slab membrane to envelop the structure and create a waterproof seal. When backfilling, protective boards are used to prevent puncture of the membrane.
External membranes (Type A Protection)
Disadvantages: Can be more expensive than external systems. Mainly used for basement conversion rather than new build
Advantages: Can be installed where external safe working cannot be provided.
Outlets: Newton Membranes Renovation Solutions Ltd – materials outlet
Typical use: Used on basement and retaining walls
Polarwall detail: It is always recommended that the manufacture is consulted prior to product application.
Description: These are membranes that instead of being used externally are internally applied. They are more common with basement or cellar conversions.
Internal membranes (Type C Protection)
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Disadvantages: Not ideal with ICF products due to the amount of vibration required. Attention needs to be paid to the wall/slab junction.
Advantages: Provides structure and waterproofing simultaneously.
Outlets: Creart
Typical use: Used on basement and retaining walls where moisture ingress is not required.
Polarwall detail: Waterproofed concrete does not generally sit well with ICF construction
Description: This is waterproofing the structure using the concrete as the moisture barrier. An additive is used within the concrete that when vibrated causes a chemical reaction to prevent moisture penetration through the concrete.
Waterproofed concrete (Type B Protection)
Disadvantages: Requires more initial planning.
Advantages: If anything goes wrong it will most likely be the pump, which is inexpensive to replace.
Outlets: Basements UK Ltd – Installer and supplier of materials Renovation Solutions Ltd – materials outlet
Typical use: Used on basement and retaining walls where moisture ingress is not required.
Polarwall detail:
Description: Used in conjunction with a membrane system. A series of pipes are imbedded in the blinding course. At various points vertical ducts are used to protrude through the slab. An internal perimeter drain is sat on the structural slab, which is later covered by screed. If moisture enters the basement (slab/wall connection) it will pass into the drainage channel, run into the vertical pipes sat in the blinding course. From there the pipes feed into a sump chamber where moisture is pumped clear of the structure.
Internal drainage to sump (Type C Protection)
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Disadvantages: Must remain dry until the concrete is poured. Can lift over time during basement construction
Advantages: Will expand into tiny voids along the construction joint preventing moisture ingress
Outlets: There are many products on the market, here are a few that have been used with Polarwall. Fosroc – see previous pages Grace – see previous pages
Typical use: Used on basement and retaining walls
Polarwall detail: PWD/009 It is always recommended that the manufacture is consulted prior to product application.
Description: These are placed at the slab wall junction. When in contact with moisture they swell to as much as 300% of their original size, to form a compression seal thus preventing moisture passage.
Hydrophilic strips
ancillaries
Disadvantages: Proper detailing at joints is crucial, the waterbar can bend over during the concrete pour.
Advantages: Vertical barrier affording protection from moisture ingress
Outlets: There are many products on the market, here are a few that have been used with Polarwall. Fosroc – see previous pages Grace – see previous pages
Typical use: Used on basement and retaining walls
Polarwall detail: PWD/011 It is always recommended that the manufacture is consulted prior to product application.
Description: Similar in purpose to a hydrophilic strip. This is rigid plastic fillet that sits in a kicker on the slab. Moisture is then stopped from passing through the wall by the waterbar
Water bar
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window & door fixing 20 Where windows and doors are being installed, the frame of the door or window must be securely fixed into the Polarwall concrete core or other robust materials.
Polarwall detail: See PWD/024
Frame fixing Frames can either be fixed directly in line with the Polarwall concrete core or through fixing straps tying both frame and wall together.
The latter method is used when the frame position is not adjacent to the concrete core. For example this would be used where Polarwall’s XRange has been specified.
Alternatively, the insulation around the jambs, and head of the window can be replaced with treated timber of the same dimensions. The frames can then be screwed directly into the timber. See PWD/024
Frame sealing Once the frames have been fixed into position checks should be made to identify if any gaps between the frame and Polarwall are apparent. If this is the case, expanding foam can be used to fill the opening. A bead of low modulus silicone sealant is then applied to the internal junction of the frame and Polarwall.
Once the external cladding has been installed, a further seal can be applied between this and the frame.
Sill detail Essentially a sill will either sit onto the concrete core where it is precast concrete or stone, or it will sit on the outer layer of insulation for a PVC sill. Polarwall detail: See PWD/023
Damp proof course for windows A damp proof course is generally not required as a vertical dpc to window surrounds. The insulation used is made from a waterproofed material thus preventing passage of moisture from external to internal wall face.
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