Renovating or refurbishing your home? We have created a step-by-step article to help you through the insulation installation process. For full details, refer to the Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard Installation Guide.
Correctly installing insulation is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient, reduce energy consumption and create a healthier and comfortable environment.
Regardless of the time of the year, when renovating or refurbishing your home, it is important to install insulation correctly. As we know, heat moves from warmer areas to colder areas through heat transfer. This movement is what causes buildings to get colder in winter (heat leaks out from a building into the colder environment outside) and hotter in summer (heat moves from a warmer environment outside into a building).
To make sure you are installing Kingspan Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard correctly, Kingspan Insulation has created this step-by-step article to help you through the installation process. Before getting started, it is important to ensure you have the appropriate tools and safety equipment to complete the task. Below is a list of what you will need:
- Appropriate Health and Safety equipment including hard hat, gloves, high-vis vest, work boots, eye protection and dust mask
- Drill and drill bits
- Mechanical fixings (screws)
- Hand saw or utility knife
- Pencil
- Caulking gun and caulk
- Construction adhesive
- Tape measure
- Spirit level / Straight edge
- Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard
When it comes to fixing Kooltherm K17 to an existing construction, there are several methods to choose from. The table image outlines the most suitable solution when installing Kooltherm K17 to existing wall elements:
Once you have identified the most suitable solution, you must prepare the surface on to which Kooltherm K17 will be applied. It is important for this surface to be smooth, making sure to remove skirting boards, cornices, windowsills, old adhesive or other contaminates that may impact installation. Using the caulk and caulking gun, seal all spaces that will restrict any unconditioned air entering the parts you are insulating.
It is then time to set out, mark and cut the Kooltherm K17 board. Firstly, identity and mark out on the existing walls where each stud is positioned. This will help when it comes to applying the insulation board using a mechanical fixing.
When marking out each board it is essential to consider any services, electrical wires, lighting, switches, and sockets. Use a measuring tape to measure the distance from the edge of the insulation board to the service. Mark all services on the board using a pencil.
To begin cutting, set the Kooltherm K17 on a flat and safe surface and make sure you are utilising appropriate safety clothing/equipment, to minimise the risk of an accident. Cutting should be carried out using a fine-toothed hand saw or utility knife to cut through the insulation and paper backing of the plasterboard. To remove the piece you have cut, snap the board face down over a straight edge and cut the paper facing of the plasterboard on the other side.
After you have cut the Kooltherm K17 boards to the correct length, it is time to apply them to the existing construction using the most appropriate construction method identified from the table image.
Existing Masonry Walls and Existing Framed Walls – Construction Adhesive Bonding Method
Using an adhesive bonding installation method is one solution when applying Kooltherm K17 to existing masonry or existing framed walls. Ensure the wall is true and free from projections which may prevent the board from sitting flat.
Apply a continuous blob of construction adhesive around the perimeter wall and ceiling junctions and around any openings to provide a seal. Administer the adhesive to the back of the insulation board or directly to the wall approximately 25 mm in diameter at 300 mm centres in both directions. Attach the board to the wall making sure to pass through any wires, cable and switches which had previously been marked out when measuring. Once completed, apply pressure to the board to ensure it sticks to the wall and with your straight edge, tap firmly to ensure the board is straight.
Mechanical fixings should then be used to complement the adhesive bonding. It is recommended that a minimum of seven mechanical fixings should be used per insulation board. These fixings should be positioned 15 mm from the board edge, and follow the pattern in the below diagram, with a nominal 25mm embedment (refer to fixing manufacturer instructions for more information), ensuring the boards are fitted tight to the wall studs. For boards 3 metres and longer, nine fixings should be used. The addition of mechanical fixings hold the board more securely during the curing of the adhesive (Figure 1).
For further details and other fixing methods, please refer to the Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard Installation Guide.
If you have any issues relating to Kooltherm K17 Insulated Plasterboard, please feel free to reach out to our Technical Services team on 0800 806 595 or email technical@kingspaninsulation.co.nz they will be more than happy to help and recommend the most suitable solution for your existing construction.
Updated on 21/03/2024
Figure 1. Left: Seven fixing pattern for boards less than 3m long; Right: Nine fixing pattern for boards over 3m long.
