Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for providing enhanced insulation against heat loss and sound transmission in existing buildings and buildings under construction .

Background to the invention

It is well accepted that heat loss from housing and other buildings can be signi ficant especially in winter when in-house heating is a necessity, and that any signi ficant reduction in such losses will lead to substantial environmental and monetary savings .

It is also the case that the cost of maintaining an acceptable level of heating in, for example , a house or other building constructed in the early, mid or late part of the twentieth century or earlier is particularly signi ficant .

This conclusion applies equally to more recently constructed housing and other buildings .

Procedures such as installing double-glazing and loft insulation assist in reducing heat losses ; however, these provide only a partial solution to the problem . In the maj ority of cases internal heating such as central heating radiators are found to be necessary to maintain an acceptable level of heating within housing and other units . For many householders , the cost of such heating is signi ficant . The present invention sets out to provide a solution to this problem, a solution which, in many occasions , wi ll negate the need for internal heating of properties leading to substantial reductions in household running costs .

Statements of the Invention

In one aspect the invention provides a method for enhancing the insulation of a building against heat loss , the method comprising the sequential steps of :

( a ) securing to substantially the entire exposed surface of each external wall of the building a cover which comprises a plurality of abutting sheets of compacted high density thermally insulating material ,

(b ) securing to the entire exposed surface of each covered external wall of the building a plurality of abutting rigid weatherproofed fire-resistant high density wall panels , and

( c ) applying to the exposed surface of each said wall panel a protective weather proofed render .

Preferably, each abutting sheet of said cover of high density thermally insulating material is coated with or includes a fire resistant or fire proofing material .

Preferably, each abutting sheet of said cover comprises a sheet of compacted high density inert vitreous silicate mineral wool . The density of each such sheet maybe between 120 an 180kg/m3 .

Typically, the thickness of each abutting sheet is between 30mm and 70mm . A preferred thickness is 40mm . Preferably, the fire-resistant high density wall panels are adhered to the abutting sheets of compacted high density thermally insulating material by an adhesive which intumesces in the presence of fire and/or excessive heat .

A preferred adhesive is the applicant ' s SA20 (RTM) hybrid high- temperature sealant adhesive .

Preferably, the high density thermally insulating material comprises rock-wool sheets of thickness between 50mm and 70mm . A preferred sheet thickness is 60mm .

In another aspect the invention provides apparatus for enhancing the insulation of a building against heat loss , the apparatus comprising :

( a ) a plurality of weatherproofed fire-resistant sheets of high density inert vitreous silicate mineral wool suf ficient to cover all exposed external wall surfaces of the building,

(b ) means for securing said sheets to said exposed external wall surfaces ;

( c ) a plurality of rigid weatherproofed high density wall panels suf ficient to cover said fire-resistant rigid sheets of high density inert vitreous silicate mineral wool ; and

( d) a protective weather proofed render suf ficient to cover said wall panels .

The thickness of each fire proofed sheet is preferably between 30mm and 70mm, a preferred thickness being 40mm . The density of each fireproofed sheet is typical ly between 120 and 180kg/m ³ . m

Detailed Description of the Invention

To establish the potential heat insulation benefits of the invention, trial s were conducted on a house constructed in the 1930 ' s .

Firstly, the external wall surfaces of the house were renovated where necessary . Secondly, sheets of high-density thermally insulating material were adhered to each wall surface , the sheets being cut and/or shaped where necessary to ensure that where possible the entire external surface of the house was covered apart from the window and door spaces .

The thickness of the applied sheets was 40mm . However, trials conducted by the applicant indicate that the sheet thickness can be anywhere between 30 and 70mm .

Other conventional ways of securing the sheets of high-density material to the external wall surface of a house could be employed .

When installed, the sides of the applied sheets abutted one to each other to cover all exposed wall surfaces to the front , rear and sides of the house .

The adherent employed to secure the sheets to the house walls comprised the sealant adhesive SA20 of the applicant . Other sealants having like properties could also be employed . Alternative ways of securing the sheets in place could be adopted . Thus , the sheets may be secured by rivets , nails or other equivalent items depending on the wall structure .

Guard rails had previously been positioned about the borders of the windows and doors of the house , the sides of the adj acent wall panels abutting against these rails .

On completion of this procedure , all exposed wal l surfaces of the house were , to the extent possible , fully covered by the sheets of thermally insulating material .

Abutting rigid weatherproofed fire- resistant high density wall panels were then adhered to the already applied sheets of thermal insulation to cover all exposed wall surfaces of the house .

As before , the sealant adhesive employed comprised SA20 of the applicant .

The external surfaces of the house were then painted .

Finally, suitable insulation material was applied to the loft space and inner roof surfaces of the building .

Tests conducted after completion of the work established that the air permeability of the house had plummeted from 19 . 70 to 3 . 40m ³ at 50Pa, well below the level of 4 . 0m ³ required for eco- house standards .

The level achieved meant that no internal central or other form of internal heating would be required even during winter months provided the householder takes sensible precautions . It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of the invention and that modi fications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims .