GB2443901A

GB2443901A - Flanking strip for use with flooring

Info

Publication number: GB2443901A
Application number: GB0715708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Finlayson Danskin
Original assignee: Danskin Flooring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Danskin Flooring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-29
Filing date: 2007-08-13
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Also published as: GB0715708D0; GB0616949D0

Abstract

The flanking strip 10, particularly for use sealing around wooden and/or floating floor systems, comprises a first portion 20 that is substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating and a second portion 25 which is substantially flexible. The strip is preferably L-shaped with the first portion having a rectilinear cross-section and being formed from an insulating polymeric foam, with the second portion being a sheet of resiliently flexible material adhered to one side of the first portion. In use the first portion is designed to be located underneath the floor 125A while the second portion extends up between the floor and the wall 170 before being secured between the skirting board 160 and the floor.

Description

IMPROVED BUILDING SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved building component, and particularly, though not exclusively, to a flooring component. The invention also relates to a flanking strip, e.g. for use in a flooring system such as a timber based pedestal, cradle or saddle flooring system, or a batten or floating raft flooring system. Such flooring systems are often referred to as "floating floors".

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Prior art timber based pedestal, cradle or saddle

flooring systems are disclosed in GB 2 321 070 A, GB 2 348 218 A and GB 2 374 616 A, all by the present Applicant. A prior art batten or floating raft flooring system is disclosed in GB 2 316 694 A also by the present Applicant. The content of the aforementioned documents are incorporated herein by reference.

It is customary when installing floor boarding such as chipboard or plywood onto a batten or saddle system to leave a gap between an edge of the flooring board and a perimeter wall. The purpose of the gap is to permit the board to expand in warm temperatures without applying pressure to the wall. When laying acoustic floating floors it is desirable to block this gap to seek to prevent airborne sound passing through the gap from above or below into the structure and consequently into a dwelling below or above, respectively. The material used to plug this gap requires to be flexible in order to permit the necessary expansion, and consequently, flexible foam materials have been used as a prior art solution.

A foam flanking strip according to the prior art, is typically of the order of 5 mm thick and 100 to 150 mm wide, and is supplied in strips or rolls.

The strip is used in an acoustic floating floor, provided on a subfloor having a perimeter wall. The floating floor typically comprises a batten type system comprising floor boarding and battens having an impact sound absorbing layer fixed thereto. The floating floor has a gap between the floor boarding and the perimeter wall. In use, the strip is inserted into the gap. The strip is then folded, and a folded over portion of the strip is trapped between the flooring boards and the skirting board. Finally, excess is trimmed off the folded over portion of the strip using a sharp knife.

The strip is usually placed in the gap between the floor boarding and the perimeter wall. The strip has to be greater in height than the floor depth in order that there is sufficient material for subsequent folding and fixing. This necessitates stocking different sizes of strip. If the strip is too small then it may fall down below the gap before fixing can take place. When the skirting board is due to be secured, the strip has to be folded over, held down and then trapped between the bottom of the skirting board and the top of the flooring board. This operation is awkward and time consuming, and can require two people to conduct successfully.

Alternatively, the strip can be taped down until the skirting board is put in place. Once the strip is trapped in position then the excess can be trimmed of f with a sharp knife to leave a neat finish.

Such prior art is described as prior art in GB 2 401 886, also by the present Applicant. The content of the aforementioned document is incorporated herein by reference.

GB 2 401 886 discloses an improvement to such prior art, the improvement comprising a flanking strip having an end profile, wherein a first portion is offset at an angle relative to a second portion.

GB 2 420 798 A, also by the present Applicant, discloses a building system, such as a flooring system, comprising: at least one building component such as a flooring component; at least one building member such as a flooring member; and at least one panel member, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the panel member is provided between at least a portion of the building component and the building member. The content of the aforementioned document is incorporated herein by reference.

The flooring system of GB 2 420 798 A enables a level timber floor to be laid on an uneven substrate with rigid insulation panels or underfloor heating panels being carried by the system. The system comprises floor pedestals (or saddles) with battens and levelling shims or packing pieces, and the insulation panels or underfloor heating panels are supported on portions or lands of the floor pedestals or saddles. If levelling shims are in place the insulation boards rest on the ends of the shims. The system provides a means for levelling the floor and carrying the insulation without the need to cut the insulation boards around the floor pedestals.

In order to properly insulate a floor it is necessary to have insulation material covering the entire floor area. A thin strip of insulation material is therefore required at the edge of a floor between battens nearest the perimeter and an adjacent wall. However, rigid insulation materials can rub against the wall with the normal deflection of a flooring system under load leading to squeak.

Another problem to overcome is that current Building Regulations require building designs to have regard to unwanted air leakage in order to prevent energy waste.

The perimeter of a floor is a location, which desirably should be sealed to prevent a path for draughts. Often foam strips are compressed between skirting boards and flooring panels to seal this potential air path.

However, as mentioned hereinbefore, it can be difficult to install the foam strips as such can tend to fall out of position while the flooring panels are being laid, and once installed, the strips sometimes work loose and fall down below the flooring.

It is an object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or at least mitigate one or more problems/disadvantages in

the prior art.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to seek to address a need which has developed or been identified in the art.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system for quick and easy levelling of poor sub-floors.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system with an improved level of acoustic insulation, and particularly impact sound insulation.

It is a further object of at least one embodiment of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a flooring system with an improved level of thermal insulation and/or including underfloor heating means or panels.

SU'1ARY OF INVENTION One or more problems or disadvantages in the prior art are sought to be addressed providing the general solution of a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component/profile comprising a first substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating portion and a second substantially flexible portion.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system, such as a flooring system or floating floor, wherein the strip comprises first and second portions, the first portion being substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating, and the second portion being substantially flexible.

Preferably the first portion comprises a substantially rigid and/oi thermally insulating material and the second portion comprises a substantially flexible material.

The first portion comprises a first member which is elongate. The second portion comprises a second member which is elongate. The first and second members is of substantially a same length.

The first member comprises a planar base edge.

The first member comprises at least one planar side edge.

The first member comprises a planar top edge.

The first member comprises a substantially rectilinear cross-section.

The second member comprises a substantially planar cross-section.

A first portion of a first planar surface of the second member is fixed, e.g. by fixing means such as adhesive, to at least a portion of an/the at least one planar side edge of the first member.

In this way the flanking strip is said to have a subst n antially "L"-shaped profile.

The at least a portion of the planar side edge comprises at least an entire height/width of the planar side edge.

Advantageously, the second portion/member is higher/wider than the first portion member, e.g. a/the planar side edge of the first portion/member. Part of the second member may therefore upstand from a/the planar top edge of the first member.

The second portion is resiliently flexible, that is to say, tending to return to and/or retain its original shape, e.g. either when compressed and/or when bent or folded.

The first portion comprises a first material which comprises an insulating material, e.g. having thermal insulation properties.

The first portion comprises a/the first material which comprises a polymeric material.

Preferably the first material comprises polystyrene, such as extruded polystyrene.

However, it will be appreciated that other materials could be used, such as: expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, or phenolic foam.

The second portion may comprise a second material which comprises an acoustic insulation and/or draft excluding material.

The second material may comprise a polymeric material.

Preferably the second portion comprises a/the second material which comprises polyethylene, such as closed cell polyethylene foam.

Another portion of the second member adjacent the top edge of the first member and the top edge of the first member may meet at an angle c defining an internal angle, e.g. of the "L"-shaped profile.

By "at an angle" is meant not 1800, i.e. such that the strip is not flat, but rather that the strip has a non-flat profile, e.g. L-shaped or V-shaped.

The invention provides an advantage over the prior art in that at least a portion of the second member may, in use, be received in at least part of a gap between a flooring system and a peripheral wall, while the first member acts to prevent the second member from falling down the gap.

In use, the first member is provided between a flooring board of the flooring system and a sub-floor.

In use, at least a portion of a second surface of the second member may abut or be located adjacent the peripheral wall. This arrangement is advantageous in obviating or mitigating "squeak" between the strip and the wall.

Preferably the strip is, at least in part, substantially or generally "L"-shaped or "V"-shaped. The first portion comprises one leg of the "L" or "V"1 while the second portion comprises another leg of the "L" or "V".

The angle is substantially 90 .

In use, when the second portion is located in the gap, the first portion may, at least partly, lie between a flooring member and a receiving portion of a saddle or packing piece or between the flooring member and a sub-floor.

In one implementation at least part of at least another portion of the second member is provided with adhesive means to adhere the strip to the flooring member. In said implementation the upstand part of the second member is higher than the thickness of the flooring board.

In another implementation the upstand part of the second member is substantially the same height or shorter than the thickness of the flooring board.

The strip is adapted to be cuttable or trimmable to a desired length.

The second member is trimmable or cuttable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flanking strip or perimeter sealing strip for a building system such as a flooring system or floating floor, wherein the strip has a first portion and a second portion, and wherein, in use, at least a portion of the second portion stands within a gap between a floor boarding and a peripheral wall, and the first portion is provided between the floor boarding and a sub floor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a building system or floor system, such as a floating floor, comprising at least one flanking strip or perimeter sealing component according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention.

The building system comprises a pedestal, cradle or saddle type flooring system, e.g. as disclosed in GB 2 321 070 A, GB 2 348 218 A or GB 2 374 616 A by the present Applicant.

Alternatively, the building system comprises a batten or raft type flooring system, e.g. as disclosed in GB 2 316 694 A by the present Applicant.

Alternatively the building system comprises a panel type flooring system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a floor or floor construction including a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention, or a building system according to the third aspect of the present invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a building or building structure, including a flanking strip according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention, a building system or flooring system according to the third aspect of the present invention, or a floor or floor construction according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of constructing a floor comprising the steps of: providing a flooring system according to the third aspect of the present invention comprising at least one flanking strip according to either of the first or second aspects of the present invention; and positioning a portion of at least one flanking strip between an edge of a flooring board of the flooring system and a peripheral wall and a further portion of the at least one flanking strip between a base of the flooring board and a sub floor.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided use of a strip as a flanking strip for a building system such as a flooring system, e.g. a floating floor, the strip comprising first and second portions, the first portion being substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating, and the second portion being substantially flexible.

Preferably the strip is at least partially made of a material(s) having acoustic, e.g. airborne, sound absorbing or deadening capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: Figure 1 an end view of a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 a perspective view from one end and to one side of the flanking strip of Figure 1; Figure 3(a) a cross-sectional end view of a first (acoustic) floating floor comprising the flanking strip of Figure 1; Figure 3(b) a perspective view of a saddle member and packing piece for use in the floating floor of Figure 3(a); Figures 4 a cross-sectional end view of a second (thermal) floating floor comprising the flanking strip of Figure 1; Figure 5 an end view of a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 a cross-sectional end view of a third (acoustic) floating floor comprising the flanking strip of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component, generally designated 5, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flanking strip 5 is adapted for use in a building system, such as a flooring system or floating floor, as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

The flanking strip 5 comprises first and second portions 10,15, the first portion 10 being substantially rigid, and the second portion 15 being substantially flexible. The first portion 10 is made from a substantially rigid material, and the second portion 15 is made from a substantially flexible material.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the first portion 10 comprises a first member 20, which is elongate.

Similarly, the second portion 15 comprises a second member 25, which is elongate. Typically, the first and second members 20,25 are of substantially the same length.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the first member 20 comprises a substantially planar base edge 30, a planar side edge 35, and a planar top edge 40. Conveniently, therefore, the first member 20 comprises a substantially rectilinear cross-section. A first portion of a first planar surface of the second member 25 is fixed to at least a portion of the planar side edge 35 of the first member 25. The fixing means comprises adhesive, for example. In this way the flanking strip 5 is said to have a substantially "L'-shaped profile as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the at least portion of the planar side edge 35 comprises, in this embodiment, an entire height/width of the planar side edge 35. The second portion 15 formed by second member 25, is higher/wider than the first portion 10 formed by first member 20, in particular, higher/wider than the planar side edge 35 of the first member 20. Thus an upstand part 41 of the second member 25 extends distal the first member 20 from planar top edge 40.

The second portion 15 formed by second member 25, is resiliently flexible. That is to say, the second portion 15 formed by second member 25 has a tendency to return to and/or retain its original shape if and when deformed.

The first member 20 comprises a first material comprising an insulating material typically having thermal insulation properties. The first material typically comprises a polymeric material. The first portion is in this embodiment, made of extruded polystyrene. However, it will be appreciated that other materials can be used to form the first portion, such as: expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, or phenolic foam.

The second member 25 comprises a second material typically comprising a polymeric material, and in this embodiment comprises polyethylene, and in particular, closed cell polyethylene foam. However, in alternative implementations, other materials can be used to form the second materials such as rubber, neoprene, polyvinyichioride, or the like.

Another portion of the first member 20 adjacent to the top edge of the second member 25, and the top edge of the second member 25, meet at an angle a defining an internal angle, which in this embodiment is substantially 900.

In use, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the second member 25 is received in a gap 180;180a between a floating floor 100;llOa and a peripheral wall 170;l7Oa, while the first member 20 acts to prevent the second member 25 from falling down the gap.

In use, at least a portion of the second surface 50 of the second member 25 abuts the peripheral wall. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in addressing the problem of "squeak" or "creak" between the flanking strip 5 and the wall 170;170a. In use, when the second portion 15 is placed in the gap 180;180a, the first portion 10 at least partly lies between a flooring member and the receiving portion of a saddle, or between the flooring member and a sub floor. Optionally, at least part of the other portion of the second member 25 can be provided with adhesive means (not shown) to adhere the flanking strip 5 to the flooring member. The second portion 15 of the flanking strip 5 is cuttable or trimmable, in use, as will be described hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b), there is shown a first acoustic floating floor, generally designated 100, comprising the flanking strip S of Figure 1. In this implementation the acoustic floating floor is a saddle type floating floor, e.g. as described in GB 2 321 070 A, GB 2 348 218 A, or GB 2 374 616 A, all by the present Applicant.

The floating floor 100 comprises a plurality of flooring components 105, each flooring component 105 comprising a saddle member 110 adapted to be positioned upon a supporting means 115, provided between a substrate or sub floor 120, and floor boarding 125 supported above the sub floor 120. The saddle member 110 comprises a plate member 130, said plate member being provided with flange means 135, extending substantially perpendicularly from marginal portions of a first surface of a plate member 130, adapted to engage said support means 115, in use. Wall members 140 extending outwardly of a second opposite surface of plate member 130 from positions extend inwardly of marginal portions of the plate member 130, each wall member 140 being arranged so as to define a batten receiving channel 145. The saddle member 110 is of the typical described in GB 2 410 798 A. A batten 150 is shown received in the channel 145. There is also provided a packing piece receiving channel 154, and there may also be provided packing pieces 155, for example, similar to those described in GB 2 348 218 A. Also shown in Figure 3 (a) is a skirting board 160 and plasterboard 165.

optionally, insulation panels or heating panels, e.g. underfloor heating panels, e.g. of the type disclosed in GB 2 420 798 A, are provided. Such panels are supported between an underside of the floor boarding 125 and an upper side of the plate member 130 or uppermost packing piece 155.

The first portion 10 is received between an underside of the floor boarding 125 and a land comprising an upper side of a peripheral portion of the plate member 130, or an upper surface of the uppermost packing piece 155. A portion of the second portion abuts the peripheral wall 170, while an uppermost end of the second portion is bent or folded, so as to be entrapped between the lowermost edge of the plasterboard and/or plasterboard 165 and/or skirting board 160, and an upper edge of the flooring member 125. Also as shown in Figure 3(a), the floor boarding 125 is fixed to the batten 150 by nails 175.

To provide a neat edge to the flanking strip 5, any end of the second portion 15 protruding from underneath the skirting board 160 can be trimmed, for example, with a knife.

Turning now to Figure 4, there is shown a second (thermal) floating floor, generally designated lOOa. This is particularly convenient for ground floors. Like parts of the floating floor bOa are identified by like numerals to the floating floor 100 of Figure 3, but suffixed with the letter "a".

Figure 4 shows the floating floor bOa having insulated panels 185a, supporting flooring boards l25a, gap 180a is provided between the floor boarding 125a and the perimeter wall l7Oa. The first portion 10 is received between the lower facing surface of the floor boarding 125a, and upper facing surface of sub floor 120a. A portion of the second portion 15a of the strip 5a is entrapped between the edge of the floor boarding 120 and the peripheral wall 170, while an upper end portion of the second portion is bent or flexed so as to be entrapped between a lowermost edge of the plasterboard and/or plasterboard 165a and skirting board 160a, and an upper facing surface of the floor boarding 125a. Again, any excess material of the second portion 15a protruding from underneath the skirting board is trimmed off, for example, using a knife.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component, generally designated 5', according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The flanking strip 5' is substantially similar to the flanking strip 5 of Figure 1, like parts being designated with like numerals, but suffixed "". The flanking strip 5' is also adapted for use in a building system, such as a flooring system or floating floor, as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

In this second embodiment the upstand part 41' is shorter than upstand part 41 of the first embodiment for reasons which will become evident.

Regarding materials, it will be appreciated that the same or similar materials is used in this second embodiment as discussed hereinbefore with reference to the first embodiment.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a third acoustic floating floor, generally designated 100', comprising the flanking strip 5' of Figure 5. The floating floor 100' is substantially similar to the floating floor 5' of Figure 3(a), like parts being designated with like numerals, but suffixed "".

The first portion 10' is received between an underside of the floor boarding 125' and a land comprising either an upper side of a peripheral portion of the plate member 30' or an upper surface of the uppermost packing piece 155'. A surface of the second portion 15 abuts the peripheral wall 170', while upstand part 41' is located between the peripheral wall 170', and an edge of flooring member 125'.

In this embodiment the second portion 15' does not protrude above the flooring member 125' and is not captured between the flooring member 125' and plasterboard 165'. Instead a sealing means 190' such as mastic, is provided between at least the skirting 160' and flooring member 125'. This seals the floor 100' against moisture ingress and against draughts.

In use, if the flooring member 125' expands after installation, then the material of the upstand 41' is resilient enough to permit such expansion without making the floor 100' distort or buckle. In adthtion, the second portion 15' has the function of acting to prevent the insulation material of the first portion 10 from squeaking against the wall 170'.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention hereinbefore described are given by way of example only, arid are not meant to limit he scope of the invention in any way. In particular, it will be appreciated that. an advantage of one or more embodiments of the invention over the prior art is that the second portion of the strip stands supported with the gap.

Also, it will be appreciated that in a modification, a face of the portion intended to face the flooring boards is provided with a portion or portions of adhesive material, e.g. an adhesive strip or tape, which may act to further secure the flanking strip during fixing.

Also, it will be appreciated that in a modification the strip of the invention is used in an acoustic floating floor of a batten or raft-type system type, e.g. as disclosed in GB 2 310 694 A, by the present Applicant.

In the disclosed embodiments of the present invention a closed cell foam strip is bonded or fixed to the edge of a thin strip of rigid insulation material and is supplied as a preassembled component. The height of the foam strip is greater than the height of the insulation thus forming a flexible upstand. The component is placed on the lands of the saddle(s) (or of the shim(s) if used) between the batten and the wall.

The closed cell foam layer is placed adjacent to the wall in order to prevent any squeaking which is caused by rubbing of the insulation against the wall. The positioning of the component in this way also supports the foam in a constant, upright position which prevents it from slipping and moving while the flooring panels are laid. This speeds upon the installation process and ensures that the foam is held in the correct position to create an efficient seal. Once the flooring panels are in place the excess foam protruding above the flooring panels can be folded over and trapped below the skirting boards, thereby sealing paths for draughts. Any excess foam is removed with a sharp knife. The foam is less likely to work loose as it is secured both by compression under the skirting and by the bond to the insulation.

It is evident that this component could be used in any insulated flooring arrangement and is not limited purely to systems involving pedestals or battens.

In the disclosed embodiments of the present invention the rigidinsulation used is extruded polystyrene but other boards such as expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate and phenolic foam insulation could be used. A closed cell polyethylene foam strip has been used in the present invention to seal the gap and prevent creaking but any suitable flexible material could be used, such as rubber, neoprene, pvc, etc. In the disclosed embodiment the closed cell foam is typically in the order of 150 mm high, the insulation is typically in the order of up to 75 mm high, and the component is supplied in trimmable lengths typically in the order of up to 2,500 mm.

Claims

1. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system, such as a flooring system or floating floor, wherein the strip comprises first and second portions, the first portion being substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating, and the second portion being substantially flexible.

2. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating material and the second portion comprises a substantially flexible material.

3. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first portion comprises a first member which is elongate, and the second portion comprises a second member which is elongate, the first and second members are optionally of a substantially same length.

4. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first member comprises a planar base edge.

5. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the first member comprises at least one planar side edge.

6. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first member comprises a planar top edge.

7. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first member comprises a substantially rectilinear cross-section.

8. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component f or a building system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the second member comprises a substantially planar cross-section.

9. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 3 to 8, wherein a first portion of a first planar surface of the second member is fixed, optionally by fixing means such as adhesive, to at least a portion of an/the at least one planar side edge of the first member.

10. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in 1 to 9, wherein the flanking strip has a substantially L"-shaped profile.

11. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least a portion of the planar side edge comprises at least an entire height/width of the planar side edge.

12. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second portion/member is higher/wider than the first portion/member, such as a/the planar side edge of the first portion/member, part of the second member upstanding from a/the planar top edge of the first member.

13. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second portion is resiliently flexible.

14. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 3. to 13, wherein the first portion comprises a/the first portion comprising a first material which comprises an insulating material, optionally having thermal insulation properties.

15. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first portion comprises a/the first material comprising a polymeric material.

16. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first portion comprises a/the first material comprising polystyrene, such as extruded polystyrene.

17. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first portion comprises a/the first material comprising expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, or phenolic foam.

18. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second portion comprises a/the second material comprising an acoustic insulation and/or draft excluding material.

19. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second portion comprises a/the second material comprising a polymeric material.

20. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second portion comprises a/the second material comprising polyethylene, such as closed cell polyethylene foam.

21. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component f or a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second portion comprises a/the second material comprising rubber, neoprene, or polyvinylchloride.

22. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 9, wherein another portion of the second member adjacent the top edge of the first member and the top edge of the first member meeting at an angle adefining an internal angle.

23. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22, wherein, in use, at least a portion of the second member is received in at least part of a gap between a flooring system and a peripheral wall, while the first member acts to prevent the second member from falling down the gap.

24. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, wherein, in use, the first member is provided between a flooring board of the flooring system and a sub-floor.

25. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 24, wherein, in use, at least a portion of a second surface of the second member abuts or is located adjacent the peripheral wall.

26. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25, wherein the strip is, at least in part, substantially or generally IlLltshaped or "V"-shaped, the first portion comprising one leg of the "L" or "V"1 while the second portion comprises another leg of the "L" or "V'.

27. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the angle a is substantially 90 .

28. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 23, wherein, in use, when the second portion is located in the gap, the first portion at least partly lies between a flooring member and a receiving portion of a saddle or packing piece or between the flooring member arid a sub-floor.

29. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28, wherein at least part of at least another portion of the second member is provided with adhesive means to adhere the strip to the flooring member.

30. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 29, wherein an upstand part of the second member is substantially the same height or shorter than the thickness of the flooring board.

31. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 30, wherein the strip is adapted to be cuttable or trimmable to a desired length.

32. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 31, wherein the second member is trimmable or cuttable.

33. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing strip for a building system such as a flooring system or floating floor, wherein the strip has a first portion and a second portion, and wherein, in use, at least a portion of the second portion stands within a gap between a floor boarding and a peripheral wall, and the first portion is provided between the floor boarding and a sub floor.

34. A building system or floor system, such as a floating floor, comprising at least one flanking strip or perimeter sealing component according to any of claims 1 to 32 or claim 33.

35. A building system or floor system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the building system comprises a pedestal, cradle or saddle type flooring system.

36. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the building system comprises a batten or raft type flooring system.

37. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the building system comprises a panel type flooring system.

38. A floor or floor construction including a flanking strip or perimeter sealing component according to any of claims 1 to 32 or claim 33, or a building system or floor system according to any of claims 34 to 37.

39. A building or building structure, including a flanking strip according to any of claims 1 to 32 or claim 33, a building system or flooring system according to any of claims 34 to 37, or a floor or floor construction according to claim 38.

40. A method of constructing a floor comprising the steps of: providing a flooring system comprising at least one flanking strip according to any of claims 1 to 32 or claim 33; and positioning a portion of at least one flanking strip between an edge of a flooring board of the flooring system and a peripheral wall and a further portion of the at least one flanking strip between a base of the flooring board and a sub floor.

41. Use of a strip as a flanking strip for a building system such as a flooring system, such as a floating floor, the strip comprising first and second portions, the first portion being substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating, and the second portion being substantially flexible.

42. Use of a strip as a flanking strip for a building system such as a flooring system as claimed in claim 41, wherein, the strip is at least partially made of a material(s) having acoustic, such as airborne, sound absorbing or deadening capabilities.

43. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component/profile comprising a first substantially rigid and/or thermally insulating portion and a second substantially flexible portion.

44. A flanking strip or perimeter sealing component for a building system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

45. A building system or floor system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

46. A floor or floor construction as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

47. A building or building structure as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

48. A method of constructing a floor as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.