Can you buy insulating beads?

john_cappa

I have put up several steel box iron (100mm) beams to support a roof structure. These will be flashed etc and windows will be butted to them.

Given that they are open and empty can I buy a bag of beads anywhere to fill them from the top with insulation before the lintel goes on top of them? the cavity will be getting pumped at a later date but dont really want to drill into theses given that they are 5 mm thick.

Alternatively I have some xtra floor insulation off cuts left over that i could break up and push and pack tightly down from the top?

Any ideas or thoughts welcome.

fclauson

what are you trying to achieve ?

a square piece of steel regardless of the insulation will still have 2 x 5mm running at 90 degrees to you insulation line

You need to look at how you are going to wrap these such that they do not create a cold bridge.

Alternately you should look at having your steel bracing thermally broken

john_cappa

fclauson wrote: »

Alternately you should look at having your steel bracing thermally broken

I think this is impossible at this stage so looking to minimise heat loss.

BryanF

john_cappa wrote: »

I think this is impossible at this stage so looking to minimise heat loss.

show us a drawing on plan? is it not possible to place some insulation outside the box sections?

john_cappa

BryanF wrote: »

show us a drawing on plan? is it not possible to place some insulation outside the box sections?

Is it? I assumed it would not be?

See below. 100 mm box located at each of the red dots.

BryanF

you could discuss the install of aerogel strips outside the steels prior to install of cover flashing.

these are the types of details that your arch/ builder & glazier should be working through at shop-drawing stage. ( i know its easier said than done, and many clients have not paid for this service, but often the u-value your window company intimate, stops at their frame)

filling a steel box with beads will do little for your thermal bridging concerns

BryanF

john_cappa wrote: »

Is it? I assumed it would not be?

See below. 100 mm box located at each of the red dots.

john, are you accessing your sitting/ kitchen/dining from a bedroom? or is this for the granny? will your granny's guests be walking through the bedroom to use the loo?

john_cappa

BryanF wrote: »

john, are you accessing your sitting/ kitchen/dining from a bedroom? or is this for the granny? will your granny's guests be walking through the bedroom to use the loo?

It is for a granny yes. There is an ensuite in the bedroom and there is access from the garden room to the sitting room also.

john_cappa

BryanF wrote: »

you could discuss the install of aerogel strips outside the steels prior to install of cover flashing.

Can you link to product information etc so I may educate myself a little?

BryanF wrote: »

these are the types of details that your arch/ builder & glazier should be working through at shop-drawing stage.

Aint that the truth lol

BryanF wrote: »

filling a steel box with beads will do little for your thermal bridging concerns

I understand it wont but it will at least help insulating the gap?

BryanF

john_cappa wrote: »

it will at least help insulating the gap?

yes generally id foam fill such an item BUT there's no point if your not insulating the steel from the external elements

john_cappa

Bump for answer to OP!

fclauson

call any local firm who do bead pumping - I am sure they will let you have what you need for a few €€ - its not very much - you can work out the volume and that will make negotiations easier

john_cappa

fclauson wrote: »

call any local firm who do bead pumping - I am sure they will let you have what you need for a few €€ - its not very much - you can work out the volume and that will make negotiations easier

Volume is tiny lol less than 0.1m3.

Will try that.