Why use Actis Hybrid Roof Insulation?

When it comes to the roof area of your home, there are two elements that work together; the roofing material on the outside and the insulation on the inside. Without the correct insulation, heat will pour out of the roof just as without roofing material, weather would pour into the house. Therefore, once you have the right materials on the roof, you need the complementing materials under it and one of the biggest names in insulation is Actis. Here is a look at the three elements of their new Hybrid range.

HControl Hybrid
HControl Hybrid is a reflective layer that offers vapour control along with a built-in thermal performance and is designed to be used on the warm side of insulation material. This layer is used behind the internal finish to a roof, wall or ceiling to work behind the scenes.

The product offers two jobs for the price of one it has a vapour control layer as well as being insulation so this means there is less work involved with its fitting. It also means that nothing is lost in the thickness of the main insulation to achieve that perfect U-Value and works alongside any type of insulation. The product comes in rolls that are 10m2 long, 1600mm wide and 45mm thick.

The vapour diffusion element of the product means that there is much less risk that condensation builds up around the house with its resulting problems. HControl is an airtight layer that also prevents air leakage and thermal convection and is free from dust and fibres that can aggravate allergies. Finally, its flexible nature means that no matter how uneven the surface, it will fit to it perfectly and not permit air leakage.

Hybris
Hybris is an insulation material that has been designed to work with timber frame or masonry walls as well as pitched roofs and ceiling applications. It is a reflective insulation that uses a honeycomb structure meaning it has a high thermal performance as well as being protected from dust and air movement. It comes in rolls that are 1200, wide and thickness from 45mm to 135mm at intervals of 15mm.

As well as being airtight by its structure, it is also resistant to water vapour to prevent condensation and does not generate any fibres or dust to cause allergies. It is lightweight to work with and it easy to install in the most awkward spots, such as between rafters or floor joists.

Boost'R Hybrid
Boost'R Hybrid is designed to work on the cold side of buildings inside walls and roofs and is a reflective, breathable membrane that has thermal performance built in to the highest level. It is another two in one product that has the membrane and insulation meaning that U-Values can be achieved, as the thickness of the insulation doesn't need to be reduced. It is available in rolls 10m2 long, 1500mm wide and 35mm thick.

As well as working on thermal performance, Boost works to present air leakage and thermal convection. It also prevents condensation by allowing for water diffusion and is easy to work with due to its flexibility. It can be fitted to any uneven surface including rafters up to 600mm span.

Why use insulation?
When it comes to insulating the roof, the basic fact is that by doing so, you save money. Studies by Which have shown that correctly insulating the roof and walls of a house could save as much as £250 a year on energy bills, meaning it doesn't take long the pay back the money you spend on installing it. The benefits of a well-insulated house can easily be demonstrated with a thermal imaging camera €“ a well-insulated house will look cold as all the heat is kept inside while a poorly insulated house will be bright as the heat leaks out. That leaking heat takes your money with it.

When it comes to selling a house, the insulation will also play a factor. The recommended thickness for insulation is 270mm but the thicker the better. This contributes towards improving the house's energy performance certificate, which is needed to sell a house in much of the UK. It could even be the deciding factor between a sale and a walk-away.

Installing HControl
HControl is fitted to the inside of an insulation product and in direct contact with it. The copper coloured film faces the inside or warm side of the building. Keep HControl away from sources of ignition and use a fire-resistant material to isolate it from chimneys.

http://youtu.be/d3DRfjjfy10

Step by step example
Here is an example of how to fit the product to a pitched roof:

1. Cut the HControl to the required size

2.  Install it across the face of the rafters, ensuring the fit is tight and taut and is a continuous layer

3.  Stable to the timbers at 50mm internals as taut as possible with 20mm galvanised staples, trimming any overlapping areas and using a batten to seal

4. Overlap the next layer by 50-100mm and seal with 100mm Actis tape

5.  Staple all edges and secure with tape and battens

To prepare for the addition of horizontal or vertical battens, nail through the HControl to the rafter beneath.

Installing Hybris
The Hybris insulation material needs to be fitted in conjunction with a breather membrane or a roofing felt. It is most commonly fitted with the HControl product to ensure air tightness in the system. Keep Hybris away from any sources of ignition and ensure it is isolated from chimneys with a fire-resistant material.

http://youtu.be/_vphqElmr2I

Step by step example
The following example is how to fit the product onto a pitched roof:

1. Measure the space between the rafters and cut Hybris with a knife, cutter or saw

2. Cut a section and install at the base of the roof with the internal structure of the product on a horizontal orientation, normally 300mm in length

3. Roll out Hybris between the rafters with the internal structure now running vertically.  Staple the copper coloured film to the side of the rafter

4. Taper any joints and repeat

Installing Boost'R Hybrid
Boost is installed to the outside of the insulation product in direct contact with it and the copper coloured film should face inwards while the grey watertight membrane faces outwards. As with the other products, protect from sources of ignition and use a fire-resistant material around chimneys.

Step by step example
To fit to a pitched roof, here is a step-by-step example:

1. Open the roll and lay across the face of the timber rafters or a boarded roof in a continuous layer

2. Staple to the rafters every 50mm using 20mm galvanised staples

3.  Fix 38x38mm counter battens lined up with rafters or 50x50mm vertical battens on boarded roofs

4. Overlap layers by 50-100mm and staple

5. Seal all joints with Actis tape

Ensure that horizontal tiling battens are fitted in accordance with the roofing material manufacturer's requirements to allow the roofing material to be fitted over the top.