FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates insulating wall structures, and to related methods
for lining walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The insulation of external walls is an important aspect in the renovation of buildings.
Often, this is done by applying insulation material to the exterior of the building.
However, in many situations this is not possible, in particular in urban areas. In
such cases, the insulation must be applied to the interior side of the external walls.
After application of the insulation, the wall is typically finished with a layer of
a facing material, such as plasterboards.
Providing insulation from the inside can result in a considerable decrease of the
living space inside the building, given the thickness of the insulation materials.
There is a need for solutions which result in a lower loss of living space. Existing
solutions typically focus on improved insulation materials, having a reduced thickness.
Currently, Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) are among the best insulation materials
on the market. VIPs contain a gas-tight enclosure surrounding a porous rigid core,
from which the air has been evacuated. Such panels offer a high thermal insulation,
even when using very thin panels compared to conventional insulation materials. A
disadvantage of VIPs is that their insulating properties depend on the integrity of
the gas-tight enclosure. The panels must not be cut or drilled and require care during
handling and installation. Also the user of the building must be careful during later
interventions, e.g. when drilling holes in the wall.
In view of the fragility of VIPs, existing insulating wall structures typically provide
a gap between the VIPs and the facing material which forms the internal side of the
wall. The provision of such gap increases the total thickness of the insulating wall
structure to such extent, that the economic benefits of VIPs are largely nullified.
There remains a need of insulating wall structures causing a minimal loss of living
space while still providing a good insulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present application to provide (heat) insulating wall structures,
which allow for minimizing the loss of living space when insulating external walls
from the inside. It is a further object of the present invention to minimize the risk
of degrading VIP panels during installation or usage phase. The present inventors
have found that this can be obtained using certain support profiles, and by fixing
a facing material to the support profiles using an adhesive.
More particularly, the present application provides the following aspects:
Aspect 1. An insulating wall structure comprising:
- a wall, preferably an external wall (having an external and internal side);
- first and second insulation sheets, more particularly Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs)
covering adjacent parts of said wall, preferably on the internal side of said external
wall;
- a support profile comprising a first support face attached to said wall and a second
support face, said support faces being interconnected via an intermediate portion
which is interposed between said first and second insulation sheets; and
- a building board which is fixed to said second support face with a fastener selected
from an adhesive and a hook and loop fastener.
Aspect 2. The insulating wall structure according to Aspect 1, wherein each of said insulation
sheets is provided with a protective panel facing said building board.
Aspect 3. The insulating wall structure according to Aspect 2, wherein said protective panel
comprises one or more materials selected from the list consisting of melamine, phenolic
resins, metal, and aramid polymers.
Aspect 4. The insulating wall structure according to Aspect 2 or 3, wherein said protective
panel and said VIPs are provided as separate pieces.
Aspect 5. The insulating wall structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein said
support profile is made of one or more materials selected from the list consisting
of poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane.
Aspect 6. The insulating wall structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the
distance between said insulation sheet and said building board is less than 10 mm.
Aspect 7. The insulating wall structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein said
support profile is fixed to said wall with screws, wherein the heads of said screws
are covered with an elastic material.
Aspect 8. The insulating wall structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein on
one side of said intermediate portion, the first support extends further from the
intermediate portion than the second support face.
Aspect 9. The insulating wall structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, further comprising
a plurality of support profiles supporting said insulation sheets; each support profile
providing a support face onto which said building board is fixed.
Aspect 10. The insulating wall structure according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein said
building board is made of gypsum, cement, fiber cement, or wood.
Aspect 11. A method for lining a wall, comprising:
- (i) covering a portion of a wall to be lined with a first insulation sheet, more particularly
a Vacuum Insulated Panel;
- (ii) providing a support profile, said support profile comprising first and second
support faces separated by an intermediate portion; wherein said support profile is
attached to said wall via said first support face; and wherein
- said second support face, said intermediate portion, and said wall and/or first support
face provide a first channel, said first channel receiving said first insulation sheet;
- said first and second support faces and said intermediate portion provide a second
channel; and
- (iii) positioning a second insulation sheet, more particularly a Vacuum Insulated
Panel, inside said second channel, thereby covering a second portion of said wall;
and
- (iv) fixing a building board to said support profile via its second support face using
an adhesive, thereby covering said first and second insulation sheets.
Aspect 12. The method according to Aspect 11, wherein each of said first and second insulation
sheets are further provided with a protective panel facing away from said wall.
Aspect 13. The method according to Aspect 11 or 12, wherein step (ii) involves fixing said support
profile to said wall with screws, followed by covering the heads of said screws are
covered with an elastic material.
Aspect 14. The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 13, wherein the fixation in step
(iv) does not involve the use of fixation means piercing said building board.
Aspect 15. A kit for lining a wall, comprising:
- a plurality of insulation sheets, more particularly VIPs;
- one or more support profiles, each comprising first and second support faces separated
by an intermediate portion, said support faces and intermediate portion providing
a second channel; and said second support face and said intermediate portion providing
a first channel opposing said second channel;
- one of more building boards;
- an adhesive for fixing said one or more building boards to said support profile.
[0004] The insulating wall structure can allow for insulating an external wall from the
interior using VIPs. Whereas existing methods of installing VIPs require the provision
of a gap between the VIPs and the covering material such as plasterboard, the present
structure requires no gap and therefore minimizes the loss of living space; without
increasing the risk of damaging the VIPs.
The independent and dependent claims set out particular and preferred features of
the invention. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of
the independent or other dependent claims, and/or with features set out in the description
above and/or hereinafter as appropriate.
The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description which illustrates, by
way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the
sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying Figures are provided by way of example only and should not be considered
to limit the scope of the present invention.
- Fig. 1
- Schematic illustration of a cross-section of a particular embodiment of the insulating
wall structure described herein.
- Fig. 2
- Cross-section of a detail of an insulating wall structure according to a particular
embodiment of the insulating wall structure described herein.
- Fig. 3
- Support profile suitable for use in the insulating wall structure described herein.
[0006] In the Figures, the following numbering is used:
1 - Wall; 2 - Support profile; 3, 4 - Insulation sheet; 5 - Building board; 6 - Protective
panel; 7 - Fixation element; 8 - Insulation; 9 - Support profile; 11 - First support
face; 12 - Second support face; 13 - Intermediate portion; 14 - Insulation; 15 - Floor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments.
It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be
interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude
other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of
the stated features, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components, or groups
thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should
not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with
respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A
and B.
Throughout this specification, reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" are
made. Such references indicate that a particular feature, described in relation to
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,
though they could. Furthermore, the particular features or characteristics may be
combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, as would be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art.
The following terms are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.
The terms "plasterboard" and "gypsum board" as used herein interchangeably and refer
to a panel or board comprising a gypsum core, obtainable from a plaster slurry as
described herein. Accordingly, the term "plasterboard" refers to a board or panel
which is obtainable via the setting (hydration) of plaster. The term "board" or "panel"
as used herein refers to any type of wall, ceiling or floor component of any required
size.
The term "about" as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter,
an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of
+/-10% or less, preferably +/-5% or less, more preferably +/-1% or less, and still
more preferably +/-0.1% or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations
are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. It is to be understood that
the value to which the modifier "about" refers is itself also specifically, and preferably,
disclosed.
[0008] Provided herein is an insulating wall structure, also referred to herein as "the
structure". The structure allows for providing a wall of a building with (thermal)
insulation materials. Accordingly, the insulating wall structure described herein
comprises a wall and insulation sheets. In particular, the structure comprises at
least first and second insulation sheets, in particular Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs),
covering adjacent parts of the wall surface. The structure further comprises a support
profile for holding and supporting the insulation sheets. The support profile comprises
first and second support faces are interconnected by an intermediate portion. The
support profile is fixed against the wall via its first support face, wherein the
support faces and the intermediate portion is interposed between the first and second
insulation sheets. The structure further comprises a building board or facing material,
which is fixed to the second support face with a fastener. This will be explained
further herein below.
[0009] The insulating wall structure described herein contains a wall. The type of wall
is not critical to the invention, as long as it can carry the support profiles and
insulation sheets. For example, the wall may be made of bricks, concrete, wood, etc.
The wall is typically an external wall, i.e. forming the boundary between the interior
and the exterior of a building. Accordingly, the external wall has an external or
exterior side (facing the exterior) and an internal or interior side (facing the interior).
The support profile(s) and the first and second insulation sheets are then generally
provided on the internal side of the external wall. However, in certain embodiments,
the wall may be an interior wall. Typically, the wall has a planar shape and is vertically
oriented. However, other shapes and orientations are not excluded. For example, in
particular embodiments, the construction may be curved and/or slanted. The term "wall"
as used herein also includes sloped ceilings. Prior to the installation of the insulating
wall structure, any protruding nails, screws, and the like are typically removed from
the wall, or covered. No other particular preparation of the wall is required. For
example, it is not necessary to remove wall paper or any other finish prior to installing
the support profile.
[0010] The insulating wall structure further comprises a support profile. The support profile
typically is a straight elongated object, typically having a length/width ratio of
at least 5, preferably at least 10. In particular embodiments, the support profile
has a length between 50 cm and 300 cm, and a width between 20 mm and 100 mm.
The support profile comprises a first support face, a second support face, and an
intermediate portion. The intermediate portion connects the first support face with
the second support face. Accordingly the first and second support faces are provided
on opposite edges of the intermediate portion, typically along the length of the intermediate
portion.
The intermediate portion is adapted to be interposed between two (rows of) insulation
sheets. Therefore, the intermediate portion preferentially typically has a planar
shape. The first and second support faces typically also each have a preferentially
planar shape, and are oriented substantially perpendicularto the intermediate portion.
The term "substantially perpendicular" as used herein includes a deviation of up to
5° from an exact perpendicular orientation, preferably up to 3°, more preferably up
to 1°.
In preferred embodiments, the first support face is provided with pre-drilled screw
holes in order to facilitate fixation to the wall. In preferred embodiments, the surface
of the second support face for contacting a building board is not smooth. More particularly,
the surface may be at least partially textured or roughened, e.g. ribbed or studded.
This increases the surface area of the support face, which can improve the adhesion
of the building board to the support face with adhesive.
[0011] The support profile is attached to the wall via its first support face, such that
the second support face faces away from the wall. Preferably, the support profile
is attached to the internal side of an external wall. The support profile may be attached
to the wall with conventional fixation means known in the art. In preferred embodiments,
the support profile is screwed to the wall. In further embodiments, the screw heads
may be covered with an elastic material such as a compressible foam, rubber, or other
elastomers. The elastic material is preferably provided along the full length of the
support profile (and thus not only on the screw heads). This helps to increase the
air tightness of the insulating wall structure, thus improving the overall thermal
insulation. Moreover, this helps to prevent the screw heads from damaging the VIPs.
Thus, in particular embodiments, the support profile is attached to the wall using
screws, wherein a (single) strip of elastic material covers the screw heads.
The support profile keeps the insulation sheets of the insulating wall structure in
place. More particularly, the support faces and intermediate portion form two channels
(one on each side of the intermediate portion) for receiving the insulation sheets.
The channels generally are U-shaped, i.e. have a U-shaped cross section, preferably
a rectangular U-shaped cross section. A first (U-shaped) channel is formed by the
second support face and the intermediate portion, together with the wall and/or first
support face. The first support face, second support face, and intermediate portion
together form a second (U-shaped) channel.
[0012] The first and second support faces need not be arranged symmetrically with respect
to each other and with respect to the intermediate portion.
The second support face typically extends from both sides of the intermediate portion,
preferably over a distance of at least 10 mm on each side. This allows for keeping
an insulation sheet in place on each side of the intermediate portion, when the support
profile is attached to the wall.
The main function of the first support face is not to hold the insulation sheets,
but to fix the support profile to the wall. Therefore, the first support face only
needs to extend from one side of the intermediate portion. It is not excluded, however,
that the first support face extends from both sides of the intermediate portion.
In preferred embodiments, the height of the first support face exceeds the height
of the second support face; on one side of said intermediate portion. The difference
in height is preferably between 10 mm and 75 mm. This allows for screwing the support
profile to the wall via the first support face, without interference from the second
support face. In other words, in certain embodiments, the first and second support
faces both extend from one side of the intermediate portion over a certain distance,
preferably at least 10 mm; wherein the first support face extends further away from
the intermediate portion than the second support face; preferably between 10 mm and
75 mm further away.
[0013] The first support face of the support profile may or may not directly contact the
wall. In particular embodiments, a strip of a (visco)elastic and/or vibration damping
material is provided between the wall and the support profile. The strip may avoid
that small granulates fall behind the insulation sheets when drilling fixing holes,
thereby further decreasing the risk of damaging the VIPs during installation. The
strip of elastic and/or vibration damping material may be provided as a double sided
and slightly compressible foam tape, for example a foamed acrylic tape.
[0014] The support profile is typically mounted horizontally. In such configuration, the
first channel typically is a lower channel; and the second channel an upper channel.
Accordingly, the first insulation sheet is then positioned below the support profile,
and the second insulation sheet above the support profile. The insulating wall structure
is not limited to horizontal configurations. In particular, also a vertical configuration
is envisaged.
[0015] The support profile can be made of various materials as known by the skilled person.
Non-limitative examples of suitable materials include plastics, metal, and wood. Preferred
plastics include poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and
the like. Such plastics are particularly preferred for use with VIPs, as they reduce
the risk of damaging the VIPs when inserting the VIPs in the channels. Plastic support
profiles also reduce thermal bridging by the profiles.
[0016] The support profile supports each of the first and second insulation sheets on one
sheet edge. Preferably, each insulation sheet is supported on two opposite edges.
Accordingly, the insulating wall structure provided herein may comprise a plurality
of support profiles. The support profiles will typically arranged substantially parallel
to each other. The expression "substantially parallel" as used herein includes a deviation
of up to 5° from an exact parallel orientation; preferably up to 3°, even more preferably
up to 1°. The amount of profiles typically depends on the size of the wall and the
size of the insulation sheets. The distance between the support profiles may depend
on the size of the insulation sheets and the type of building board used.
Each of the support profile will typically have a support face onto which the building
board can be fixed, similar to the second support face of the support profile as described
above.
[0017] At least one of the support profiles of the insulating wall structure is a support
profile as described above. Preferably, all support profiles interposed between insulation
sheets are support profiles as described above.
In many cases, the support profiles at the edges of the wall (e.g. the top and bottom
profiles for horizontal profiles; or the outer left and right profiles for vertical
profiles) only needs to provide a single channel for support an insulation sheet.
Such profiles may be different from the profiles described above. A particularly suitable
profile for such cases is a (rectangular) U-shaped profile. Optionally, one of the
edges of the profile may be higher than the other, as to facilitate fixation of the
profile to the wall, in a similar way as described above for the first support face.
[0018] The insulating wall structure described herein comprises at least two (heat) insulation
sheets, i.e. panels or blankets of insulation material. In preferred embodiments,
the insulation sheets are insulation panels, more particularly rigid insulation panels.
The insulation sheets typically have a rectangular shape.
The insulating wall structure is particularly suitable for use with VIPs as insulation
material. Accordingly, the insulation sheets preferably are VIPs. However, in certain
embodiments, also other insulation materials may be used, such as mineral wool or
aerogel boards, or foamed polymer (e.g. polyurethane foam, expanded or extruded polystyrene,
polyisocyanurate foam) boards.,.
The insulation wall structure described herein is particularly suitable for VIPs,
because it maximizes the benefits thereof (thinner layers of insulation) while minimizing
the downsides (risk of damaging VIPs). VIPs are well known in the art and generally
comprise an insulating porous core material maintained under vacuum by a gas-tight
barrier envelope or membrane. The porous core material generally is a rigid, highly-porous
material, such as fumed silica, aerogel, perlite or glass fiber, to support the membrane
walls against atmospheric pressure once the air is evacuated. In particular embodiments,
VIPs may further contain chemicals to collect gases (known as "getters") leaked through
the membrane or offgassed from the membrane materials. Vacuum insulation panels are
highly effective insulation materials because the vacuum practically eliminates convection
and also reduces conduction. In particular embodiments, the panels have a thermal
conductivity below 20 mW/(m.K), preferably below 15 mW/(m.K), more preferably below
10 mW/(m.K), or even below 7 mW/(m.K).
[0019] In particular embodiments, more than one type of insulation materials may be used.
Indeed, when using VIPs (which must not be cut and therefore are to be used in the
size provided), a second insulation material may be needed to fill any remaining gaps.
In many cases, the insulating wall structure also needs to accommodate conduits, cables
and the like. Therefore, it is envisaged that in certain embodiments, the first and
second insulation sheets are VIPs, wherein the structure further comprises a row of
one or more insulating materials not including VIPs. The row of non-VIP insulation
material typically has a height ranging from 5 cm to 50 cm, preferably 5 cm to 30
cm. For example, a row of mineral wool may be provided at the bottom of the wall,
thus providing the possibility to house cables and the like.
[0020] In preferred embodiments, each of the insulation sheets is provided with a protective
panel facing away from the wall (and thus facing the building board). The protective
panel can protect the insulation sheet against accidental damage, e.g. during installation
of the building board, or when drilling through the building board. This is particularly
useful when using VIPs, which are easily damaged.
The protective panels are positioned adjacent to the insulation sheets, but are not
necessarily fixed thereto. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, the protective
panels and the insulation sheets are provided as separate pieces. The use of separate
protective panels allows for using standard insulation sheets and building boards.
Typically, the protective panels and insulation sheets are held together by the support
profile. Accordingly, no fixation of the protective panels to the insulation sheets
is needed. More particularly, they are both positioned in the channels provided by
the support profile. The protective panels and corresponding insulation sheets are
typically in direct contact, but this is not critical.
The protective panel can be made of any material strong enough to provide some degree
of protection to the insulation sheets. Preferred materials include, but are not limited
to, metal and plastics (polymers), or combinations thereof. Also composite materials
comprising said preferred materials in combination with one or more other materials
may be used. Preferred metals include steel and aluminium. Preferred polymers include
melamine, phenolic resins, high density polyethylene, and aramides. In particular
embodiments, the protective panel may be made at least partially of melamine or a
phenolic resin. In certain embodiments, the protective panel may be a composite material
comprising cellulose fibers in combination with melamine and/or a phenolic resin.
[0021] The thickness of the protective panels is typically chosen such that an adequate
protection is offered, without contributing too much to the total thickness of the
insulating wall structure. In preferred embodiments, the protective panel typically
has a thickness between 0.2 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm.
[0022] In many cases, the protective panel is made of a material which resists the diffusion
of moisture. In those embodiments, the protective panel may also function as a vapour
barrier. The joints between the protective panel and the support profile are then
typically sealed (e.g. with a silicone, tape, or other sealing material which is impermeable
to moisture). Also the joints at the other edges of the protective panel (typically
this is a joint between the protective panel and a neighbouring wall) can be sealed.
In this way, a structure can be obtained which is impermeable to moisture (or air).
[0023] The insulating wall structure described herein comprises one or more building boards,
which cover the support profile(s) and insulation sheets.
The building board is fixed to the support profile(s) of the insulating wall structure,
with a fastener, more particularly a fastener selected from adhesives, hook and loop
fasteners (such as Velcro®), and the like. The use of such fasteners allows for positioning
the building board close to the insulation sheets, while keeping the risk of damaging
the insulation sheets low; in particular in combination with a protective panel as
described above. The risk of damaging the insulation sheets is much higher when using
conventional fixation means such as screws or nails. Accordingly, the fixation of
the building board(s) is generally done without fixation elements such as screws,
nails, and bolts. More particularly, the fixation preferably does not involve the
use of any fixation means which pierce the building board.
Typically the distance between the building board and the first and second insulation
sheets is less than 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 8 mm; more preferably the distance
ranges from 3 mm to 5 mm. The distance is the shortest distance from the surface of
the building board which faces the insulation sheet; to the surface of the insulation
sheet facing the building board.
Preferred fasteners include adhesives. The adhesive may be a glue or an adhesive tape.
In case the adhesive is a glue, a solventless glue is preferred. Solventless glues
preferred because accidental contact between the VIPs and a solvent could damage the
VIPs. Suitable adhesives are well known in the art. An example of a commercially available
adhesive is MSP 108 from Bostik.
[0024] The type of building board is not critical. Examples of suitable building board include
boards made of gypsum, cement or concrete, fiber cement, wood, wood cement, metal,
plastic, composite, and glass. In preferred embodiments, the building boards are gypsum
boards.
[0025] The insulating wall structure typically contains a single layer of building boards,
covering the remainder of the insulating wall structure. However, it is not excluded
that in specific embodiments, multiple layers of building boards are used.
[0026] Further provided herein is a method for lining a wall, in particular a method of
installing an insulating wall structure as described herein. The wall preferably is
an external wall. The method for lining a wall comprises:
- (i) covering a portion of a wall to be lined with a first insulation sheet, more particularly
a first VIP;
- (ii) providing a support profile, said support profile comprising first and second
support faces separated by an intermediate portion; wherein said support profile is
attached to said wall via said first support face; and wherein
- said first support face, said intermediate portion, and said wall and/or second support
face provide a first channel; said second channel receiving and holding said first
insulation sheet; and
- said first and second support faces and said intermediate portion provide a second
channel;
- (iii) positioning a second insulation sheet, more particularly a second VIP, inside
said second channel, thereby covering a second portion of said wall; and
- (iv) fixing a building board to said support profile via its second support face using
an adhesive, thereby covering said first and second insulation sheets.
[0027] In preferred embodiments, step (i) includes - prior to covering a portion of the
wall with the first insulation sheet - the installation of an edge profile at an edge
of the wall (e.g. the top and bottom profiles for horizontal profiles; or the outer
left and right profiles for vertical profiles). As described above, the edge profile
provides a single channel for supporting the first insulation sheet; and preferably
has a (rectangular) U-shaped profile.
[0028] In particular embodiments, the first and second insulation sheets are provided with
a protective panel as described above. The protective panels of the first and second
insulation sheets are typically provided in the respective channels of the support
profile. In particular embodiments, the method further comprises the step of sealing
any joints at or near the edges of the protective panel (such as the joint between
the protective panel and the support profile). In this way, the structure can be made
resistant to the transfer of air and/or moisture, as described above.
In particular embodiments, step (ii) involves fixing the support profile to the wall
with screws, followed by covering the heads of the screws with an elastic material.
In particular embodiments, step (ii) includes providing a strip of a (visco)elastic
and/or vibration damping material between the wall and the support profile, as described
above.
[0029] In preferred embodiments, the fixation in step (iv) does not involve the use of fixation
means piercing said building board, such as screws, nails, and bolts.
[0030] Further provided herein is a kit for lining a wall, more particularly a kit for making
an insulating wall structure from a wall to be insulated. The kit provided herein
comprises:
- a plurality of insulation sheets, more particularly VIPs;
- one or more support profiles, each comprising first and second support faces separated
by an intermediate portion, said support faces and intermediate portion providing
a second channel; and said second support face and said intermediate portion providing
a first channel opposing said second channel;
- one of more building boards;
- an adhesive for fixing said one or more building boards to said support profile.
[0031] In particular embodiments, the kit may further comprise a plurality of protective
panels as described above. In certain embodiments, the kit may also comprise a sealing
material as described above, for sealing the joints between the protective panels
and the support profile(s).
In certain embodiments, the kit may also comprise a tape of elastic material for covering
screw heads. In particular embodiments, the kit may also comprise a double sided tape
of elastic material for use between the wall and the support profile(s).
EXAMPLES
[0032] The following examples are provided for the purpose of illustrating the present invention
and by no means are meant and in no way should be interpreted to limit the scope of
the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a cross-section of a particular embodiment of the insulating wall structure
described herein. The structure comprises a wall (1), which is typically an external
wall of a building. On the interior side, the wall is provided with upper and lower
VIPs (3, 4), and sheets of other insulation materials (8, 14), all held in place by
support profiles (2, 9).
Fig. 2 shows a detail of the structure around the support profile (2) interposed between
the insulation sheets (3).
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of the support profile (2) alone. The support profile (2)
contains a first support face (11) and a second support face (12), interconnected
via an intermediate portion (13).
As seen in Fig. 1, the profiles (2) are attached to the wall (1) via their first support
face (11), using fixation elements (7) such as screws. Optionally, a double faced
compressible (e.g. foamed) tape (not shown) may be provided between the support profile
(2) and the wall (1). Also optionally, the heads of the screws (7) may be covered
with an elastic material such as a compressible foam (not shown). Preferably, the
elastic material is provided along the full length of the profile (2).
The height of the first support face (11) exceeds the height of the second support
face (11), thereby facilitating the fixation. The profiles (2) are shaped such that
they provide upper and lower channels for accommodating the insulation sheets (3,
4, 8, 14).
Each of the VIPs (3, 4) is provided with a protective panel (6) (see Fig. 2, not shown
in Fig. 1). The protective panels (6) are also positioned in the channels provided
by the support profiles (2, 9). Optionally, the joints between the protective panel
(6) and the profile (2) may be sealed, e.g. using a silicone or tape (not shown).
In Fig. 1, non-VIP insulation materials (8, 14) are provided at the top and bottom
of the wall, although this is optional. The top and bottom insulation materials (8,
14) may be the same or different. The bottom insulation material (8) is typically
mineral wool or the like, thereby facilitating the positioning of conduits and cables
(not shown) inside the structure. The top insulation material (14) mainly functions
to fill the remaining gap between the upper VIP (3) and the ceiling (not shown). Accordingly,
this insulation material (14) is a non-VIP material which can be cut to the desired
size - unlike the VIPs (3, 4). Of course also the top insulation material (14) can
be selected such that it can facilitate the positioning of conduits and cables.
The insulation materials at the top and bottom are supported by U-shaped support profiles
(9), each providing a single channel. The support profiles (9) are attached to the
wall (1) via fixation means (7) in a similar way as the profile (2) which is interposed
between the VIPs (3, 4). Accordingly, no fixation of the lower profile (9) to the
floor (15) is needed; and no fixation of the top profile (9) to the ceiling (not shown)
is needed.
[0033] A building board (5) covers the remainder of the structure. The board (5) is fixed
to the second support face (12) of the support profile (2) with an adhesive, e.g.
a glue or tape. The building board (5) may further be painted, plastered, or otherwise
decorated or finished.
[0034] Installation of the insulating wall structure typically starts with installing the
bottom profile (9), followed by inserting the lower insulation sheet (14) into the
channel provided by the profile. Then, a profile (2) as shown in Fig. 3 is fixed to
the wall (1) such that it holds the lower insulation sheet (14) in its lower channel.
Then, the first VIP (4) and its corresponding protective panel (6) are inserted in
the upper channel provided by the profile (2). Preferably, any visible part of the
fixation means (7) is first covered with an elastic material (not shown) for protect
the insulation sheet (2) against damaging. A further profile (2) is then provided
on the top of the VIP (4) (and corresponding protective panel); and another VIP (3)
and its corresponding protective panel (6) are positioned in the channel of that profile
(2). The remaining gap is filled with a non-VIP insulation material (8) which is cut
to the desired size. Finally, the building board is fixed to the support profiles
(2, 9) with an adhesive. Whereas Fig. 1 shows two rows of VIPs (3, 4), it will be
clear to the skilled person that more than two rows of VIPs (or just one row of VIPs)
can be used, depending on the sheet size and wall height.
1. An insulating wall structure comprising:
- a wall;
- first and second Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) covering adjacent parts of said
wall;
- a support profile comprising a first support face attached to said wall and a second
support face, said support faces being interconnected via an intermediate portion
which is interposed between said first and second VIPs; and
- a building board which is fixed to said second support face with a fastener selected
from an adhesive and a hook and loop fastener.
2. The insulating wall structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said VIPs is
provided with a protective panel facing said building board.
3. The insulating wall structure according to claim 2, wherein said protective panel
is made of or comprises one or more materials selected from the list consisting of
melamine, phenolic resins, metal, and aramid polymers.
4. The insulating wall structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said protective
panel and said VIPs are provided as separate pieces.5. The insulating wall structure
according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said support profile is made of one
or more materials selected from the list consisting of poly(vinyl chloride), polyethylene,
polystyrene, and polyurethane.
6. The insulating wall structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the
distance between said VIPs and said building board is less than 10 mm.
7. The insulating wall structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said
support profile is fixed to said wall with screws, wherein the heads of said screws
are covered with an elastic material.
8. The insulating wall structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein on one
side of said intermediate portion, the first support extends further from the intermediate
portion than the second support face.
9. The insulating wall structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising
a plurality of support profiles supporting said VIPs; each support profile providing
a support face onto which said building board is fixed.
10. The insulating wall structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said
building board is made of gypsum, cement, fiber cement, or wood.
11. A method for lining a wall, comprising:
(i) covering a portion of a wall to be lined with a first Vacuum Insulated Panel (VIP);
(ii) providing a support profile, said support profile comprising first and second
support faces separated by an intermediate portion; wherein said support profile is
attached to said wall via said first support face; and wherein
- said second support face, said intermediate portion, and said wall and/or first
support face provide a first channel, said first channel receiving said first VIP;
- said first and second support faces and said intermediate portion provide a second
channel; and
(iii) positioning a second VIP inside said second channel, thereby covering a second
portion of said wall; and
(iv) fixing a building board to said support profile via its second support face using
an adhesive, thereby covering said first and second VIPs.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein each of said first and second VIPs are
further provided with a protective panel facing away from said wall.
13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein step (ii) involves fixing said support
profile to said wall with screws, followed by covering the heads of said screws are
covered with an elastic material.
14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the fixation in step
(iv) does not involve the use of fixation means piercing said building board.
15. A kit for lining a wall, comprising:
- a plurality of Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs);
- one or more support profiles, each comprising first and second support faces separated
by an intermediate portion, said support faces and intermediate portion providing
a second channel; and said second support face and said intermediate portion providing
a first channel opposing said second channel;
- one of more building boards;
- an adhesive for fixing said one or more building boards to said support profile.