PLANNING APPROVAL - UK
residential development guide for home extensions and new dwellings 

 

 
 
  

RMC SPECIALIST PRODUCTS - Building Materials and Architectural Building Products

They are manufacturers & suppliers of Thermabate which is an insulated cavity closer for use around window & door openings It has full compliance with the building regulations Part L and has been fire tested to 30 minutes each side.
 
Thermabate provides a simple and efficient method of closing cavities around openings in masonry walls. The insulating foam core prevents thermal bridging, while the PVC-U box section forms a positive damp proof barrier and key for the direct application of plaster. It effectively prevents condensation,

pattern staining and mould growth frequently associated with traditional methods of closing cavities. Thermabate obviates the need for cut bricks or blocks to close cavities and avoids problems encountered when supporting traditional dpc’s and insulation boards during construction.

Most home extensions requiring planning permission will probably benefit from using their products during the build. Many Architects or House Extension Designers can incorporate their products within the scheme design drawings and specifications.

The following article may be of interest for homeowners researching this type of building product for inclusion within their own house extension scheme.

Guide To Cavity Closers

Cavity closers are a very small but crucial part of the construction of a new house. When building a house, the very best materials are used and the very best features are built in to ensure the end result is a well constructed, warm and dry house. Cavity closers are part of this as they enable heat to be retained and not allowed to escape through the windows, and they also work as an effective window template for windows to be fitted at a later date. This article explores cavity closers, what they are used for and the different types available. Read on to find out more.

Cavity closers are made of uPVC, a very strong and durable materials. uPVC is an excellent material to be used in house construction because it is easy to work with, extremely durable and long lasting and cost effective too. The way that houses are built today is with cavity walls. That means that two layers of bricks are used with a gap through which air can pass. Insulating the gap will provide further insulation, but the aim of the space is to prevent water or dampness from entering the home through the walls. Keeping a house warm and dry is extremely important. Not only is damp unpleasant to live with, it can be bad for you health and it can cause erosion in the walls too. Nothing corrodes a house quick than damp. The cavity wall however prevents this.

All houses need windows and doors. When building a home the best way to proceed is to fit cavity closers where the windows and doors are going to be fitted. Not only does this provide a visual template for windows, it also blocks off the cavity allowing easy installation of the windows and doors at a later date. The closer also provides further insulation and prevents warm air escaping in winter and stops the sun from penetrating and heating up the home in the winter. Insulating your home is very important not least because it keeps your fuel bills down. The home is one of the biggest causes of carbon emissions too so if you can reduce the amount released you are going some way to help protect the environment.

There are different types of cavity closer. Some are designed with an additional layer of insulation that are for going that extra mile in terms of efficiency. Others are made with a thin layer of aluminum coating that is designed to prevent the rapid spread of fire. There is also a type of cavity closer available that is designed to be fitted after the building work has been completed. You can also fit closers with ventilation holes that encourage air flow whilst not allowing heat out or heat in. Ventilation in a home is as important as insulation as without it the humidity levels can increase. Having high humidity in the home can cause damp and even allow mould to grow. Having mould is very bad for your health and can trigger asthma attacks, cause headaches and other respiratory problems. It can genuinely cause long term health problems in fact.

If your house is being constructed by a reputable firm then cavity closers are likely to be included as standard. It is always a good idea to double check however as they are so important. Being made of uPVC they will last you a lifetime too so you never need to worry about replacing them or them eroding. It is important that these measures are taken to create air tightness around the windows and doors in the home. Without this thermal bridging method, heat can easily escape which results in high cost of heating in winter and cooling in summer.