FAQ

BUILDERS FAQ

Q. What is '27 PIus' Graphite ?
A. Like regular white bead it is expanded polystyrene granules but with added fire retardant and performance enhancing qualities.

Q. The insulation industry have used white polystyrene Beads for years. Why the change to Graphite (grey bead)?
A. The main reason is to accommodate the new building regulations that require a 'U' value of .27 in new walls. With white bead this standard cannot be achieved in a regular cavity but using Graphite "27 plus" the new requirement can be satisfied.

Q. Why can a builder not simply continue to use white bead and build a wider cavity to achieve the .27 'U' value?
A. He can but when a cavity wider than 110mm is built, changes will be required in the wall ties foundations lintels etc.

Q. To achieve .27 'U' value by other means such as insulation boards how does the cost compare?
A. Blowing Graphite bead can be as much as 40% cheaper than fitting insulation boards and there are no storage, wastage or extra bricklayers costs involved.

Q. Are there other benefits?
A. Many. Some Boards fill the cavity completely but the risk is such that the Agrément Board insists on vertical D.P.Cs on all corners. This is a bricklayer's nightmare and he will demand considerable extra payment. In addition, to avoid water penetration, gaps more than 2mm between the boards must be filled with special foam by the bricklayer. Anyone with building site experience knows that this is asking a bricklayer to work to very specific tolerances he is not familiar with.

Q. Some iInsulation boards leave a partial cavity so these points you make do not apply.
A. Yes but to leave a cavity of 50mm (recommend minimum) a wider than 100mm cavity may have to be constructed or special insulation block used in the wall if the .27 'U' value is to be achieved, again more expense.