GB2578087A - Floor constructions, and insulating panels for floor constructions - Google Patents

Floor constructions, and insulating panels for floor constructions Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2578087A
GB2578087A GB1814010.3A GB201814010A GB2578087A GB 2578087 A GB2578087 A GB 2578087A GB 201814010 A GB201814010 A GB 201814010A GB 2578087 A GB2578087 A GB 2578087A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
insulating
insulating panel
foil
beams
reflective
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1814010.3A
Other versions
GB201814010D0 (en
Inventor
Brown Wayne
Broadhurst Steve
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Expanding Solutions Ltd
Original Assignee
Expanding Solutions Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Expanding Solutions Ltd filed Critical Expanding Solutions Ltd
Priority to GB1814010.3A priority Critical patent/GB2578087A/en
Publication of GB201814010D0 publication Critical patent/GB201814010D0/en
Publication of GB2578087A publication Critical patent/GB2578087A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B5/00—Floors; Floor construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted therefor
    • E04B5/02—Load-carrying floor structures formed substantially of prefabricated units
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B5/00—Floors; Floor construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted therefor
    • E04B5/16—Load-carrying floor structures wholly or partly cast or similarly formed in situ
    • E04B5/17—Floor structures partly formed in situ
    • E04B5/23—Floor structures partly formed in situ with stiffening ribs or other beam-like formations wholly or partly prefabricated
    • E04B5/26—Floor structures partly formed in situ with stiffening ribs or other beam-like formations wholly or partly prefabricated with filling members between the beams
    • E04B5/261—Monolithic filling members
    • E04B5/263—Monolithic filling members with a flat lower surface
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
    • E04B1/74—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls
    • E04B1/76—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls specifically with respect to heat only
    • E04B1/7608—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls specifically with respect to heat only comprising a prefabricated insulating layer, disposed between two other layers or panels
    • E04B1/7612—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls specifically with respect to heat only comprising a prefabricated insulating layer, disposed between two other layers or panels in combination with an air space
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/62—Insulation or other protection; Elements or use of specified material therefor
    • E04B1/74—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls
    • E04B1/76—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls specifically with respect to heat only
    • E04B1/7654—Heat, sound or noise insulation, absorption, or reflection; Other building methods affording favourable thermal or acoustical conditions, e.g. accumulating of heat within walls specifically with respect to heat only comprising an insulating layer, disposed between two longitudinal supporting elements, e.g. to insulate ceilings
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/18—Separately-laid insulating layers; Other additional insulating measures; Floating floors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F15/00—Flooring
    • E04F15/18—Separately-laid insulating layers; Other additional insulating measures; Floating floors
    • E04F15/187—Underlayers specially adapted to be laid with overlapping edges
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A30/00—Adapting or protecting infrastructure or their operation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/90—Passive houses; Double facade technology

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Building Environments (AREA)
  • Floor Finish (AREA)

Abstract

The floor comprises a plurality of insulating panels 102 positioned between adjacent beams 10a, 10b of a plurality of beams, with an air gap beneath the beams and at least one insulating panel, the lower surfaces of one or more of the insulating panels comprising a reflective covering 9 forming a continuous reflective covering over at least a part of the lower surface of the floor. The reflective coverings may comprise a foil. A portion 9a of the foil may extend beyond the lower surface of the insulating panel and beyond the adjacent beam to cover and be fixed by adhesive on the foil to the lower surface or opposite side of an adjacent beam. There may be an air gap between the foil and the lower surface of the adjacent beam. The foil may be fixed to the foil of the opposite insulating panel adjacent to the adjacent beam. The lower surfaces of the beams may have a foil separate from the foil of the panels to form the continuous reflective covering. Also claimed is an insulating panel comprising a reflective covering. Protrusions 4a, 4b of the insulating panels may sit on ledges 10a’, 10b’ of the beams.

Description

Floor constructions, and insulating panels for floor constructions
Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns floor constructions and insulating panels for floor constructions. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention concerns floor constructions and insulating panels with a reflective covering.
Background of the Invention
A known type of floor construction comprises a plurality of spaced-apart concrete beams, where each beam has ledges extending from opposite sides of the beam, and a central portion extending vertically above the ledges, so that the beams are an inverted T-shape in cross-section. Such floor constructions are often known as "suspended" floor constructions.
Insulating panels are positioned between adjacent beams, resting on the ledges of the beams, and a flooring layer is then provided over the tops of the beams. In this way, the insulating panels provide insulation for the floor construction, reducing heat loss through the floor.
However, it would be advantageous to improve the insulation of the floor construction, further reducing heat loss through the floor.
The present invention seeks to solve and/or mitigate the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively and/or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide improved constructions for buildings and improved insulating panels for constructions. -2 -
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a floor construction comprising: a plurality of beams; a plurality of insulating panels, each insulating panel being positioned between adjacent beams of the plurality of beams; and an air gap beneath the plurality of beams and at least one insulating panel; wherein the lower surfaces of one or more insulating panels of the plurality of insulating panels comprises a reflective covering; and wherein the reflective coverings of the one or more insulating panels together form at least a part of a continuous reflective covering over at least a part of the lower surface of the floor construction.
By having a reflective covering over at least a part of the lower surface of the floor construction above an air gap the insulation of the floor construction is improved, as the low emissivity of the reflective covering reduces heat transfer through the floor construction via radiation. Further by having the insulating panels comprising on their lower surfaces the reflective coverings that make up at least a part of the reflective covering of the floor construction itself, the reflective covering of the floor construction itself is easily provided during construction of the floor construction.
The beams may be concrete, steel, timber beams, or any other suitable flooring support.
The insulating panel may be formed of expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Alternatively the insulating panel may be formed of other insulating materials, such as other insulating polymers, such as any material from the group of extruded polystyrene, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. It will be appreciated that other suitable insulating materials could be used.
The reflective coverings preferably comprise a layer of foil. The reflective coverings may comprise a base layer and a foil layer. The foil layer may be an aluminium foil. The support layer may be formed of polypropylene. The support -3 -layer may be a fabric layer. The support layer may be a spun-bond non-woven polypropylene fabric. Alternatively, the reflective coverings may be coating that are sprayed or painted on, for example, or any other suitable reflective covering, which may or may not comprise foil, and may or may not be metallic.
Advantageously, the reflective covering of an insulating panel of the one or more insulating panels extends beyond the lower surface of the insulating panel, to cover at least a part of the lower surface of an adjacent beam. The reflective covering may extend on one or both sides, to cover one or both adjacent beams. The extension allows the reflective covering of the insulating panels to be used to cover the beams, so that no separate reflective covering for the beams is required, simplifying construction of the floor construction.
The reflective covering may be fixed to the lower surface of an adjacent beam. The reflective covering may be glued, for example. Advantageously, the surface of the reflective covering that touches the beam has an adhesive layer. The adhesive later may be a layer of contact adhesive. The adhesive layer may have a removable non-stick coating. Alternatively, an air gap may be provided between the reflective covering and the lower surface of the adjacent beam. Such an air gap can allow maximum thermal uplift to be achieved.
The reflective covering of the insulating panel may extend to the edge of the adjacent beam opposite the edge adjacent to the insulating panel. The edge of reflective covering may then be connected to the adjacent edge of the adjacent insulating panel. The connection may be by tape, or any other suitable connecting method.
Alternatively, the reflective covering of the insulating panel may extend beyond the edge of the adjacent beam opposite the edge of the adjacent beam adjacent to the insulating panel. In this case, the reflective covering of the insulating panel may be fixed to the side of the adjacent beam opposite the insulating panel. Where the beam has a ledge on which an insulating panel is positioned, the reflective covering may then be fixed to the side of that ledge, and even if sufficiently long fixed to the top of the ledge on which the insulating panel is subsequently positioned. Alternatively, the reflective covering of the insulating panel may be fixed -4 -to the reflective covering of the opposite insulating panel adjacent to the adjacent beam.
Alternatively, the lower surfaces of one or more beams of the plurality of beams comprises a reflective covering separate from the reflective coverings of the one or more insulating panels, and wherein the reflective coverings of the one or more beams together with the reflective coverings of the one or more insulating panels together form the continuous reflective covering over at least a part of the lower surface of the floor construction. Adjacent reflective covering may be connected, by tape or any other suitable connection method.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided an insulating panel for a floor construction as described above, wherein a surface of the insulating panel comprises a reflective covering.
The insulating panel may be formed of expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Alternatively the insulating panel may be formed of other insulating materials, such as other insulating polymers, such as any material from the group of extruded polystyrene, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. It will be appreciated that other suitable insulating materials could be used.
The reflective coverings preferably comprise a layer of foil. Alternatively, the reflective coverings may be coating that are sprayed or painted on, for example, or any other suitable reflective covering, which may or may not comprise foil, and may or may not be metallic.
The reflective covering may extend beyond the surface of the insulating panel, to cover in use at least a part of the lower surface of an adjacent beam.
The surface of the reflective covering extending beyond the surface of the insulating panel on the same side as the insulating panel may comprise an adhesive layer. The adhesive later may be a layer of contact adhesive. The adhesive layer may have a removable non-stick coating. -5 -
It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention.
Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figures la to le are cross-sectional views of insulating panels according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a floor construction comprising a plurality of the insulating panels of Figures la to le; Figures 3a to 3e are cross-sectional views of insulating panels according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a floor construction comprising a plurality of the insulating panels of Figures 3a to 3e; Figures 5a and 5b are cross-sectional views of insulating panels according to a third embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description
Insulating panels in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention are now described with reference to Figures la to le.
Figure la shows a cross-section of an insulating panel 100. The insulating panel 100 comprises an insulating portion 2 of mainly rectangular cross-section, with a rectangular protrusion 2a on one edge. The insulating panel 100 is suitable for use at the edge of floor construction, such as a suspended floor construction for example. The insulating panel 100 further comprises a foil layer 8. The foil layer 8 -6 -comprises a base layer of spun-bond non-woven polypropylene fabric, with a high-purity aluminium foil layer to provide low emissivity and enhanced thermal performance. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention, alternative foil layers may be used.
The foil layer 8 is glued onto the lower surface of the first insulating portion 2. The foil layer 8 is larger than the bottom surface of the first insulating portion 2, such that when it is glued to the bottom surface of the first insulating portion 2, there is an extended portion of foil 8a that extends beyond the bottom of the first insulating portion 2.
Figure lb shows another insulating panel 101, comprising an insulating portion 4, with rectangular protrusions 4a and 4b on opposite edges. The insulating panel 101 also has a foil layer 9, also located on the lower surface of the first insulating portion 4. The foil layer 9 completely covers the lower surface of the first insulating portion 4, and also has an extended portion 9a that extends beyond the lower surface of the first insulating portion 4.
Figure lc shows another insulating panel 102. The insulating panel 102 comprises the same first insulating portion 4 as the insulating panel 101, and the same foil layer 9. Insulating panel 102 further comprises a second insulating portion 12, part of which is located within recess 4c of the first insulating portion. When used in a floor construction with a first supporting beam 10a and a second supporting beam 10b, when the first insulating portion 4 is sat upon ledges 10a' and lOb' of the first and second supporting beams 10a and 10b, the second insulating portion 12 sits above and upon the upper surface of a first supporting beam 10a. The extended foil portion 9a is such that it is long enough to extend past the width of the base of the second supporting beam 10b and fully enclose the bottom surface of the supporting beam 10b. When the extended foil portion 9a is wrapped around the base of the second supporting beam lob', a continuous foil surface is provided.
Figure ld shows another insulating panel 103, which is similar to insulating panel 101, except that the width of the first insulating portion 6 of the insulating panel 103 is greater than the width of first insulating portion 4 of the insulating panel 101. The height of both insulating portions 4 and 6 are the same, such that they -7 -could both be used in the same floor construction, with similar supporting beams that are spaced at different distances apart. Similarly, Figure le shows another insulating panel 104 that is similar to the insulating panel 102, with the same first insulating portion 6 as the insulating panel 103, and in addition the second insulating portion 12.
A floor construction 200 incorporating the insulating panes of Figures la to le is now described with reference to Figure 2. The floor construction 200 comprises a plurality of concrete beams 10a, 10b, 10c, with ledges extending from each bottom edge. A floor is formed of a concrete layer 16, upon a gas-permeable membrane 14.
However, in other similar embodiments of the invention, no gas-permeable membrane may be included.
A wall 18 is located at one edge of the floor construction 200, and an insulating edge barrier and screed rail 17 is positioned between the wall 18 and the floor layers 14 and 16. The insulating edge barrier and screed rail 17 is a panel of insulating material, which ca n be reinforced to provide both an insulated edge to the floor after its construction, and a screed rail for use when laying the concrete 16 later during its construction.
A "starter" insulating panel 100 is positioned between the wall 18 and a first beam 10a adjacent to the wall 18. The starter insulating panel 100 comprises only a single insulating portion 2 as shown in Figure la. The edge of the insulating panel 100 without the protrusion 2a is positioned against the wall 18. The edge of the starter insulating panel 100 with the protrusion 2a is positioned on the adjacent ledge of the first beam 10a. As can be seen from Figure 2, the starter insulating panel 100 is dimensioned so that it fits exactly between the wall 18 and the first supporting beam 10a, the top of the starter insulating panel 100 is above the top of the first beam 10a, and its protrusion 2a is dimensioned so that the top of the protrusion 2a is at the same level as the top of the first beam 10a.
The extended foil portion 8a extends across the bottom of the first supporting beam 10a, and wraps around the ledge on the side of the supporting beam 10a that is opposite to the side that the insulating portion 2 is located. In this -8 -way, a continuous foil layer is provided across the bottom of both the insulating panel 100 and the first supporting beam 10a.
The extended foil portion 8a is glued to the bottom of the first supporting beam 10a. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the extended foil portion 8a (and all other extended foil portions of the floor construction), may not be in contact with the bottom surface of the support beam 10a, and may in fact "sag", only to first come into contact with the support beam 10a on the vertical face of the aforementioned ledge located opposite to the insulating panel 100. This is so that an air gap is formed between the extended foil portion 8a and the bottom of the first supporting beam 10a, which can allow maximum thermal uplift to be provided.
An insulating panel 104 is positioned adjacent to the starter insulating panel 100. The first insulating portion 6 of the insulating panel 104 is positioned between the first supporting beam 10a and a second supporting beam 10b adjacent to the first beam 10a. The second insulating portion 12 of the insulating panel 104 sits on the top of the first beam 10a. The edge of the second insulating portion 12 opposite the first insulating portion 6 is located above the protrusion 2a of the starter insulating panel 100. As can be seen from Figure 2, the second insulating portion 12 is dimensioned so that the top of the second insulating portion 12 is at the same level as the top of the starter insulating panel 100, as well as being at the same level as the top of the first insulating portion 6. As previously described, the foil layer 11 of insulating panel 104 has an extended foil portion 11a that wraps around the base of adjacent second support beam lob, and makes contact with a vertical surface of a ledge of support beam 10b, said vertical surface being located on the side of the support beam 10b opposite to the side of insulating panel 104.
An insulating panel 102 is positioned between the second beam 10b and a third support beam 10c. The bottom edges of the first insulating portion 4 of the insulating panel 102 sit upon the adjacent ledges of the second beam 10b and the third support beam 10c. The second insulating portion 12 of the insulating panel 102 sits upon the top surface of second support beam bob, and as can be seen from Figure 2, an edge of the second insulating panel 12 of the insulating panel 102 is -9 -located above the protrusion 6b of first insulating portion 6 of the insulating panel 104. As similarly described above, the foil layer 9 of insulating panel 102 has an extended foil portion 9a that wraps around the base of adjacent second support beam 10c, and makes contact with a vertical surface of a ledge of support beam 10c, said vertical surface being located on the side of the support beam 10c opposite to the side of insulating panel 102.
Thus, it can be seen that the starter insulating panel 100 and insulating panels 102 and 104 together provide a complete insulated layer above the beams 11a, 11b, and 11c. It can also be seen that the foil layers 8, 9, and 11 together provide a continuous, uninterrupted, foil surface on the lower surface of the insulating panels 100, 102, 104 and support beams 10a, 10b, 10c, so on the lower surface of the floor construction 200 generally.
The low thermal conductivity of the material of the first insulating portions 4 and 6 of the insulating panels 102 and 104 positioned between the beams provides a insulation for the floor construction 200. The foil layer provided by the foil portions 8, 9, 11 then improves the insulation of the floor, as the low emissivity of the foil material of the foil portions 8, 9, 11 reduces heat transfer through the floor construction 200 via radiation.
However, as the first insulating portions 4 and 6, and second insulating portions 12 are provided as connected parts of a single insulating panel 102 and 104, construction using the insulating panels 102 and 104 is simple. Further, as each second insulating portion 12 sits above the protrusion of an adjacent insulating panel they are kept in place, making the insulated layer secure and easy to construct. It is envisaged that the first insulating portions may have their dimensions alternatively sized to suit different separation sizes between support beams in a variety of floor constructions, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Insulating panels and floor construction in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention are now described with reference to Figures 3a to 3e and Figure 4.
-10 -Each of the insulating panels 300, 301, 302, 303 and 304 are very similar to the insulating panels 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104 of the first embodiment described above, and are positioned in the floor construction 400 in a similar way to the floor construction 200 of the first embodiment.
However, the insulating panel 300 comprises a foil layer 20 with extended portion 20a, which as can be seen in Figure 4 is fixed to the bottom of the adjacent beam 10a and then to the bottom of the foil layer 24 of the adjacent insulating panel 304, rather than being wrapped around the ledge of the beam 10a. Similarly, the insulating panel 304 comprises a foil layer 24 with extended portion 24a, which again is fixed to the bottom of the adjacent beam 10b and then to the bottom of the foil layer 22 of the adjacent insulating panel 302, rather than being wrapped around the ledge of the beam 10b. Similarly again, the insulating panel 304 comprises a foil layer 22 with extended portion 22a, which again is fixed to the bottom of the adjacent beam 10c and then to the bottom of the foil layer adjacent insulating panel, rather than being wrapped around the ledge of the beam 10c.
In this way, a continuous foil layer is again provided beneath the insulating panels 200, 302, 304 and supporting beams 10a, 10b, 10c,.
Insulating panels and beams in accordance with a third alternative embodiment of the invention are now described with reference to Figures 5a and 5b.
Figure Sa shows an insulating panel 500 and beam 10b. The insulating panel 500 comprises a first insulating portion 4 of rectangular cross section with rectangular protrusions 4a and 4b on opposite edges, and a recess 4c configured to receive an extended part of a second insulating portion 12, as shown in Figure 5b. In alternative embodiments, there may be no recess 4c in the insulating panel 500, and the first insulating portion 4 may be configured to be at the same height as the support beams when the insulating panel is sat upon the ledges of two adjacent beams.
The insulating panel 500 further comprises a foil layer 26. The foil layer 26 is glued onto the lower surface of the first insulating portion 4. The foil layer 26 in this embodiment is substantially the same size and shape as the bottom surface of the first insulating portion 4, such that when it is glued to the bottom surface of the first insulating portion 4, the foil layer 26 does not extend past the bottom surface of the first insulating portion 4.
The beam 10b has ledges lob', upon which the insulating panels are positioned. The height of the vertical portion of the supporting beam 10b above the ledges is substantially the same height as the rectangular protrusions 4a and 4b. Thus, as shown in Figure 5b, when the insulating panel 500 is positioned on a ledge lOb' of the beam 10b, the top surface of a rectangular protrusion 4b sits at the same level as the top surface of adjacent supporting beam 10b.
As shown in Figures 5a and Sb, the beam 10b comprises a foil layer 27 on its bottom surface. The foil layer 27 is the same material as the foil layer 26. The foil layer 27 is fixed to the lower surface of the beam 10b, and is substantially the same width as the bottom surface of the beam 10b, so that it does not extend beyond the lower surface of the beam 10b. The foil layer 27 may also extend along the length of the beam 10b, or only along the exposed part of its length, for example.
Similarly to as described for other embodiments, the foil layer 27, in alternative embodiments of the invention, may not be in direct contact with the entire lower surface of the beam 10b, but may instead only be in contact with the edges such that the foil layer "sags" in the middle, creating an air gap between the beam 10b and the foil layer 27.
Figure Sb shows the insulating panel 501 positon on the beam 10b, and shows the second insulating portion 12 in the recess of the first insulating portion 4 of the insulating panel 501. As can be seen, the foil layers 26 and 27 provide a continuous foil surface beneath the first insulating portion 4 and beneath the supporting beam 10b. In embodiments of the invention, the foil layers 26 and 27 are connected, for example by tape, to form a continuous foil surface beneath the lower surface of a floor construction comprising beams and insulating panels 501 and similar insulating panels of different widths as previously described.
While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill -12 -in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.
While it has been described that the extended foil portions can be wrapped around the opposite ledge of the adjacent supporting beam, it will be appreciated that the extended foil portion could be secured by interference fit between the ledge of the supporting beam, and an adjacent insulation block. It will also be appreciated that the extended foil portion could be glued to the ledge of the supporting beam. The extended foil portion could be glued to either, or both, of the ledge of the supporting beam and the bottom surface of the supporting beam. It will be appreciated that alternatives to glue could be used such as any suitable adhesive, or securing means such as nails, staples, or the like. Similarly, while it has been described that the extended foil portions can be glued to the bottom of an insulating panel, beam, or adjacent foil portion, it will be appreciated that alternatives to glue could be used such as any suitable adhesive, or securing means such as nails, staples, or the like.
While a foil layer comprising a base layer of spun-bond non-woven polypropylene fabric with a high-purity aluminium foil layer has been described, as discussed alternative foil layers could be used, and it will be appreciated that reflective layers other than foil layers could be used, which may or may not comprise foil, may or may not be metallic, and may or may not be separate layers or sprayed or painted on, for example.

Claims (12)

  1. -13 -Claims 1. A floor construction comprising: a plurality of beams; a plurality of insulating panels, each insulating panel being positioned between adjacent beams of the plurality of beams; and an air gap beneath the plurality of beams and at least one insulating panel; wherein the lower surfaces of one or more insulating panels of the plurality of insulating panels comprises a reflective covering; and wherein the reflective coverings of the one or more insulating panels together form at least a part of a continuous reflective covering over at least a part of the lower surface of the floor construction.
  2. 2. A floor construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflective coverings comprise a layer of foil.
  3. 3. A floor construction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflective covering of an insulating panel of the one or more insulating panels extends beyond the lower surface of the insulating panel, to cover at least a part of the lower surface of an adjacent beam.
  4. 4. A floor construction as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reflective covering is fixed to the lower surface of an adjacent beam.
  5. 5. A floor construction as claimed in claim 3, wherein an air gap is provided between the reflective covering and the lower surface of the adjacent beam.
  6. 6. A floor construction as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the reflective covering of the insulating panel extends to the edge of the adjacent beam opposite the edge adjacent to the insulating panel.
  7. -14 - 7. A floor construction as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the reflective covering of the insulating panel extends beyond the edge of the adjacent beam opposite the edge of the adjacent beam adjacent to the insulating panel.
  8. 8. A floor construction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the reflective covering of the insulating panel is fixed to the side of the adjacent beam opposite the insulating panel.
  9. 9. A floor construction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the reflective covering of the insulating panel is fixed to the reflective covering of the opposite insulating panel adjacent to the adjacent beam.
  10. 10. A floor construction as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower surfaces of one or more beams of the plurality of beams comprises a reflective covering separate from the reflective coverings of the one or more insulating panels, and wherein the reflective coverings of the one or more beams together with the reflective coverings of the one or more insulating panels together form the continuous reflective covering over at least a part of the lower surface of the floor construction.
  11. 11. An insulating panel for a floor construction as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a surface of the insulating panel comprises a reflective covering.
  12. 12. An insulating panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reflective covering extends beyond the surface of the insulating panel, to cover in use at least a part of the lower surface of an adjacent beam.14. An insulating panel as claimed in claim 12, wherein the surface of the reflective covering extending beyond the surface of the insulating panel on the same side as the insulating panel comprises an adhesive layer.
GB1814010.3A 2018-08-29 2018-08-29 Floor constructions, and insulating panels for floor constructions Withdrawn GB2578087A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1814010.3A GB2578087A (en) 2018-08-29 2018-08-29 Floor constructions, and insulating panels for floor constructions

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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GB1814010.3A GB2578087A (en) 2018-08-29 2018-08-29 Floor constructions, and insulating panels for floor constructions

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1528172A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-04 Polydec Services Polystyrene flooring slabs and their method of manufacture
US20050183367A1 (en) * 2004-01-30 2005-08-25 Lembo Michael J. Segmented band joist batts and method of manufacture
JP2011174659A (en) * 2010-02-24 2011-09-08 Emi Iizuka Heat storage type warm water floor heating device
US20110271609A1 (en) * 2010-05-07 2011-11-10 Lewis David L Energy Barrier, a Rail for an Energy Barrier for a Building Frame Cavity Insulation System and a Method of Assembling Stacked Layers of Reflective Dead Air Spaces
WO2013010044A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-17 White Arthur Paul Green star panel system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1528172A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-04 Polydec Services Polystyrene flooring slabs and their method of manufacture
US20050183367A1 (en) * 2004-01-30 2005-08-25 Lembo Michael J. Segmented band joist batts and method of manufacture
JP2011174659A (en) * 2010-02-24 2011-09-08 Emi Iizuka Heat storage type warm water floor heating device
US20110271609A1 (en) * 2010-05-07 2011-11-10 Lewis David L Energy Barrier, a Rail for an Energy Barrier for a Building Frame Cavity Insulation System and a Method of Assembling Stacked Layers of Reflective Dead Air Spaces
WO2013010044A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-17 White Arthur Paul Green star panel system

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