Approximately 20% of the total heat loss from a family house can come from basement and/or cellar walls. In order to reduce energy consumption, achieve a pleasant indoor climate and prevent surface condensation, rooms in direct contact with the soil should have enhanced thermal insulation. Thermal insulation of unheated areas or unused basement/cellars can also be useful to prevent the development of cold bridges at footings or to avoid undesirable condensation.
Ravatherm XPS X is highly suitable for underground thermal insulation, and has a number of benefits:
- closed-cell structure
- excellent thermal insulation capability
- water-resistance
- high compressive strength.
Description
GENERAL
Permanent moisture or pressure caused by groundwater or surrounding ground should not decrease the efficiency of thermal insulation products placed below ground around building structures.
With their closed-cell structure resulting from the manufacturing technology, Ravago XPS insulation boards maintain their high thermal insulation values even in the permanent presence of ground moisture and under intensive mechanical load. Professionally installed thermal insulation provides long-term and reliable protection around retaining walls.
Generally the physics of building enclosure mean that installing thermal insulation at the cold external surface, prevents moisture condensation by keeping the indoor surfaces warm , but the sealed exterior around below ground accommodation means that the internal temperature and humidity need to be mechanically controlled.
The closed-cell structure, excellent thermal insulation properties, water resistant and high compressive strength of Ravago XPS insulation allows the product to be installed as the outermost layer of wall structure, with selected free-draining backfill material carefully placed against the boards without further protection.
THERMAL INSULATION AND PROTECTION OF THE INSULATION
When laid on to the waterproofing surface, Ravago XPS insulation provides the structure (and the waterproofing surface) with thermal and mechanical protection.
THERMAL INSULATION FOR GROUND MOISTURE
Ravago XPS insulation boards can be simply bonded with polyurethane solvent-free adhesive foam to the external face of the waterproofing membrane or the waterproof reinforced concrete cellar wall. Adhesive should be bead-applied (with minimum three strips per board) to wall surfaces. The insulation boards should be installed with tight joints and in brick pattern, either horizontal or vertical position on the cellar wall. Ravago XPS boards must stand on a firm base area at the foot (for example foundation step), and have a support base to avoid sliding when compacting free draining backfill later.