Article dealing with the status of window and door openings
when upgrading and refurbishing existing housing stock. Article originally
issued May 2006 by Cavity Trays of Yeovil BA22 8HU
Social Housing Refurbishment
The Standard Can be Raised
New Approved Documents Part L Construction
Aspect Unaddressed
The ODPM
circular 03/2003 dated 15th March 2006 is disappointing in that it
fails to address certain thermal upgrading opportunities of existing dwellings,
possible when replacement windows are fitted to existing housing stock. Aspects
remain unaltered at the old 2002 level. However, a lower standard need not be
accepted.
Existing
openings in existing cavity walls can be improved and made more thermally
efficient when open cavities are exposed following removal of existing window
and door (frames).
The upgraded Type O is an insulated
Cavicloser that is simply push friction-fitted into an exposed open cavity. The
reveal instantly benefits thermal enhancement and the Type O re-establishes dpc
integrity vertically between both skins of the cavity wall and between external
skin and new frame. Type O Caviclosers compress to suit cavities of unusual and
variable widths, and can be fitted in cavities as small as 20mm or as large as
100mm. The Type O also accommodates both straight and checked revels
situations. The integral insulation promotes thermal enhancement every time a
replacement window or doorframe is fitted. Thus construction need not be at a
lower standard.
Details of Type O Caviclosers can be found in a new brochure now
available from Cavity Trays of Yeovil. The brochure lists sixteen thermally
beneficial closing solutions for new and existing cavity walls, including
models that also function as a damp course and provide fire protection levels
up to four hours maximum.
