When looking for a high performing and space saving flooring
insulation Arboreal Architecture turned to Kevothermal Ltd, a
UK manufacturer of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs).
The project was a retro-fit of a 1920’s semi-detached property
which included the thermal upgrade of the existing ground
floor slab. By using 20mm thick VIPs this allowed the existing
floor slab to be left in place and the VIPs laid over the top.
Kevothermal’s Vacuum Insulation Panels have an aged
thermal conductivity design value of 0.007W/mK, making
them the best form of insulation on the market. 20mm thick
VIPs would equate to approximately 70mm of traditional PUR
insulation.
The process of installing the VIPs was a simple one. Firstly
the existing floor slab was rubbed down to remove any snags then a liquid asphaltic compound put down to form
a waterproof layer. This was then followed with a 3mm rubber crumb matting which was loose laid as a base
protection for the VIPs. It is crucial that VIPs are protected from puncture in order to maintain their high insulation
value. In the early stages of the project Kevothermal had been supplied with the floor plan layout of the property
which enabled them to design a bespoke panel layout. Unlike many VIP manufacturers Kevothermal offer
bespoke panel sizes which is necessary in order to achieve maximum floor coverage.
The VIPs were then laid over the base rubber crumb matting layer and all joints taped with a suitable foil tape to
form a vapour control layer. The next step was to loose lay a further 3mm rubber crumb matting layer which would
act as a protection over the VIPs. When doing this process it was important to work from a foot board and not to
walk directly on the VIPs.
Over the top of the rubber matting came an 18mm T & G Chipboard which was the base layer for a 20mm solid
ash flooring, adhered with SIKA T54 adhesive.
