Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:20:44 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9806#Comment_9806 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9806#Comment_9806 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 14:53:25 +0000 Mike (Up North) I was looking at a product called Sempatap which is a flexible dense latex liner that is pasted onto internal walls in 5mm or 10mm thicknesses. I was looking at this to improve insulation/condensation proofing in difficult areas. Its flexible so can be pasted to curved areas. That was why I was looking at it. I have recently come across a number of curved areas that span across rooms in roofs, and are otherwise inaccessible. Also alongside some narrow stairs. However, the only retail price I could find seemed to be very high. The U value isn’t that good (although I believe the product is good for sound deadening) it looks like the stuff yoga mats are made of.

I discovered that the thin 2mm thick paste on polystyrene is still available, 2 layers of that has the same insulation as the 5mm sempatap (not much I grant you – but everything helps).

Isn’t this polystyrene stuff a fire hazard? I didnt think these types were still available.
Are there any other very thin flexible materials that can be used?

Please don’t suggest rip it all out and start again, I can’t make the oldsters live in the garden till next Easter, even if they could afford the job

Thanks in advance]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9866#Comment_9866 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9866#Comment_9866 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:29:37 +0000 Saint Well no-one else has suggested it yet so I will. Try an Aerogel fleece. Flexible blanket form insulation, the product Space Loft comes in 3mm, 6mm and 9mm thicknesses. Thermal performance 4 -5 times that of Sempatap, hence 1/4 to 1/5 thickness required. For stockist try Proctor on 01250 872261. They can probably apply a facing material to it for you]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9869#Comment_9869 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9869#Comment_9869 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:48:54 +0000 tony
You could consider a dehumidifier run when the rooms are not occupied and paying for background heat in the occupied bedrooms when they are?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9872#Comment_9872 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9872#Comment_9872 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:19:22 +0000 Saint Whilst desirable it is not always possible physically, aesthetically or practically to retrofit great thicknesses of insulation.The Climate Change Bill is seeking a 60% improvement in thermal performance on existing housing stock, other agencies are proposing 80%, both of those targets can be met easily with relatively thin layers of insulation. Yes that's not perfect but it is practical
The Aerogel fleece is born of a technological breakthrough and as such, like all high tech products, started at a fairly high price. That is changing rapidly as is the demand . Then again its important to cost out the total solution not just material costs]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9882#Comment_9882 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9882#Comment_9882 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:25:30 +0000 Mike (Up North)
Cheap and thin is the remit. The main reason being that when my wife volenteers me to decorate other peoples rooms I try to sneak in some thermal improvement. Roughtly speaking a thin layer of an insulant to an otherwise un-insulated wall is going to give about a 10-12% improvement in the thermal resiatance R value. All helps. I felt sure the polysytryene stuff was a hazard, thats why I was surprised to see on the shelves of the DIY stores.

Cheers]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9901#Comment_9901 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9901#Comment_9901 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:30:45 +0000 chuckey Frank]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9937#Comment_9937 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=901&Focus=9937#Comment_9937 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:19:16 +0000 Mike (Up North)
I’ve just received samples of the sempatap plus a price list from the main agent. It’s still quite pricey although much less than it’s being advertised in some of the web eco boutiques.

It’s quite dense and doesn’t feel as warm to touch as expected. Being dense it will be good acoustically. The outer surface is quite hard and would easily take paint or paper. It seems bendy enough to go round external corners in window reveals etc.

It is as I expected a bit like a yoga mat.

Cheers again]]>