subject: Cavity Closers For Windows And Other Types Of Cavity Closers [print this page] Cavity walls are the walls of a building, usually created out of concrete or brick, with a space in between them. That space is called a cavity and it has a very important part to play in any new building project. Since wall cavity closures, along with cavity closers for windows, are so important to any building project, it is essential to know more about them, because choosing the wrong ones can have some nasty side effects. Before we get to see what some of the more common closures are, and what advantages each of them offers, we will first be checking out the walls. After that, we will be checking to see which closures are better, and if those created from recycled building materials are more advantageous than the regular ones.
The material of the walls is just as important. The walls are usually referred to as skins of the cavity, and each of the two walls can be created out of different materials. The exterior part is usually made out of bricks, and the interior part out of concrete. This is different for each project, as there may be some created entirely out of concrete, or entirely out of brick, but this is the most common option. Also, the interior wall is usually thicker than the exterior one. The masonry wall draws rain water and humidity into the wall, due to its absorbent properties, and the cavity then plays the part of draining the water out through holes present at the base of the wall, or through holes situated above windows.
The cavity also plays an important part when it comes to insulation. A layer of insulation can be fitted between the cavity and the wall. This does not mean the cavity is filled with insulating material, it simply means that the layer of insulation is placed behind the cavity. The empty cavity acts as a thermal break between the two walls, effectively reducing the amount of heat that is lost due to convection. This is an excellent way of reducing heating costs, and the initial installation price is reasonable. Those who desire can opt to fill the cavity, either partially or fully, with thermal insulation, for even better results. However, this also increases the price of the work, and the more thermal insulation needs to be installed, the larger the cavity has to be. This means more floor space is lost due to the extra size of the cavity, although the rooms will be warmer as a result.
As for cavity closures, there are quite a lot to choose from, and the main difference is the materials they are made out of. Only a few are made out of recycled materials, and those are excellent for reducing the carbon footprint of the building project. This in turn translates into a higher rating in the Code for Sustainable Homes. Besides that, the best ones also incorporate a polystyrene insulation core that improves thermal insulation even further. This also reduces the installation time as contractors do not have to worry about installing any other form of insulation. The best closures also achieve as close a fit as possible around building apertures, preventing draughts, condensation and mould.
Good cavity closers for windows are designed to accept a large number of window systems, and it is simply a matter of clipping the window on. It is also possible to install windows from both the inside and the outside of the building, making work much easier for contractors. For an excellent new building project, good cavity closers for windows need to be installed, as well as wall cavity closures to help with insulation. In the end it may not seem like much if they are built out recycled building materials, but the difference in rating in the Code for Sustainable Homes is important. The differences that come by installing them are huge, and the lower bills during cold season are only one of the many advantages provided. Utilizing cavities in new building projects should be common practice, as there are no disadvantages except the extra space occupied by the cavity.
