What is Polypearl?
Structure
Polypearl
is made using specially selected premium grade
expanded polystyrene, which is carefully prefoamed in
a chamber full of pressurised temperature controlled
steam. The result is perfectly formed beads,
which are warm air dried and then allowed to cure
overnight. Repeating the whole process the
following day will produce Polypearl. Made
under strict quality control procedures to satisfy
the increasing demand for a trouble free insulation
material.
When
polypearl is pumped into your home, each bead is
lightly coated in a strong glue. When the glue sets
the polypearl will form a solid structure. This
ensures that the insulation remains in place if the
cavity is ever opened again. The bonding of the bead
also guarantees the insulation will never sag or
settle. The following is a sample of a clump of
polypearl beads
.
For a cool animation click on the blue
bead above!
The
following diagram shows how polypearl fills the
cavity: See FAQ
Ventilation
A cavity wall has
two functions: The first and most important is to
drain away any moisture that may enter from the outer
leaf. Polypearl does this naturally. The second
function is to allow the wall to breathe and to
circulate air.
Polypearl spherical
structure allows air ventilation in the cavity.
Circles or Spheres can only touch at one point in a
structure and thus when polypearl beads (which are
spherical) are blown into a cavity, they maintain
space around the beads. This is shown in the diagram
below:
The red
indicates the air space around a sphere which allows
the cavity to breathe and also allows for free
drainage of any moisture. For a brilliant animation
of this, click here.
Water Drainage
Driving
rain will cause water to enter the cavity. This water
must be drained away naturally and not cross the
cavity.
Polypearl
will not transmit water through the cavity.
Because
Polypearl is a closed cell structure it will not
absorb water by capillary action. Water which
penetrates the outer leaf of the cavity wall drain
down the cavity face of the outer leaf. This is
demonstrated as follows:
Beads
can only touch each other at one point and because
water will take the easiest route. It does, which is
down and not across.
"Test
data obtained by the IAB (Irish Agreement Board) also
demonstrates that the Polypearl Plus Cavity Wall
Insulation System material does not absorb water by
capillary action. Water which penetrates the outer
leaf of the wall will drain down the cavity face of
the outer leaf"
Source
: Irish Agreement Board Certificate
Check out the Advantages of
Polypearl
