POWERLON® Roof & building membranes

Powerlon AVCL Installation

Air & Vapour Control Layers

Powerlon AVCL is a polyethylene-based vapour control layer with a mono-filament reinforcement scrim for tensile strength in wall and roof installations. Vapour control (VCLs) ensure that the building envelope is properly sealed to control ventilation, prevent heat loss and protect insulates from interstitial condensation.

  • Suitable for roof, wall and floor installations
  • Reinforced polyethylene with high tensile scrim reinforcement
  • Air barrier for controlling ventilation
  • Choice of grades
  • CE Marking
Datasheet
Products Catalogue
Installation Instructions
Request free samples
Powerlon AVCL Corner Detail

Grade Options

  • VCL 250 – 285gsm
  • VCL 170 – 210gsm
Powerlon UltraBlock Reflective VCL

POWERLON UltraBlock

POWERLON® UltraBlock is a range of thermo-reflective air barriers and vapour control layers incorporating encapsulated aluminium foil or metallised barrier layers to maximise energy efficiency. The reflective foil surface improves the insulation characteristics of the installation, reflecting heat back into the building.

  • High water vapour resistance
  • Reflective foil layer for enhanced retention of thermal energy
  • Exceptional water vapour resistance
  • Self-adhesive version available
  • CE marking
Datasheet
Products Catalogue
Installation Instructions
Request a free sample

THE APPLICATION OF VAPOUR CONTROL LAYERS IN BUILDINGS

A vapour control layer forms a barrier layer within buildings, which prevents interstitial condensation and thus simultaneously prevents problems from moisture and improves energy efficiency/comfort. It’s a vital component within the construction of buildings as water vapour can damage even the strongest building structures. A good vapour control layer helps to maintain the building quality and ensure effectiveness of insulation.Water in its gaseous state becomes water vapour which is totally invisible. This then diffuses through buildings from the warm interior of a household towards the cold exterior. As water vapour passes through the walls of buildings and meets a surface below the dew point (being when water vapour condenses), it becomes condensation which poses a threat to the effective of insulation and can damage building structures.

WHERE ARE VAPOUR CONTROL LAYERS INSTALLED?

A vapour control layer, or vapour barrier, is installed in or along walls, ceilings, and floors on the warm side of the insulation to resists moisture from the warm side getting into the insulation. Any tiny amount of vapour within a wall cavity evaporates outside due to cooler external air, which makes it especially important that any paints or potential barriers are removed to allow this evaporation process to occur.

The Ultrablock reflective vapour barrier membranes have the exact opposite effect of the breather membranes. The Ultrablock 300 and Ultrablock 200 are both reflective and help with the thermal efficiency of the build.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A VAPOUR CONTROL LAYER

When insulation is introduced within a building structure, a cold space between the insulation and outer building is created which generates a potential area in which this interstitial condensation can occur. It’s therefore important that this process is controlled, by preventing the movement of warm, moist air to the cold surface. A vapour control layer controls the amount of moisture allowed through, and thus the building structure can cope.

VAPOUR BARRIER OR AIR BARRIER?

An air barrier prevents water vapour entering through air currents, such as individual holes within the building. Air flowing through holes like this are much more likely to transport water vapour through buildings than diffusion alone. A vapour barrier prevents water vapour movement through diffusion, which is the second most common way in which water vapour moves.

VAPOUR BARRIERS ON COMMERCIAL ROOFS

Vapour barriers are often specified in the construction of roofs to prevent moist air from the inside of buildings condensing and potentially damaging materials. A vapour barrier is an important way to preserve the effectiveness of insulation and therefore makes up a vital part of protecting the thermal efficiency of roof insulation. To be effective, this barrier must be warm enough to maintain temperature above the dew point which means sufficient insulation needs to be installed over the barrier. These barriers are especially important in commercial roofs as condensation penetrating roof materials can lead to considerable damage in the forms of both corrosion of materials and the growth of microorganisms.

All construction professionals should carefully consider the choices of vapour barriers prior to the beginning of construction works, as a well specified product will support energy efficiency and the lifeline of all materials. POWERLON® UltraBlock is a range of thermo-reflective air barriers and vapour control layers incorporating encapsulated aluminium foil or metallised barrier layers to maximise energy efficiency. The reflective foil surface improves the insulation characteristics of the installation, reflecting heat back into the building.

Characteristics:

  • High water vapour resistance
  • Range of membranes to cover all build types
  • Reflective foil layer for enhanced retention of thermal energy
  • Exceptional water vapour resistance
  • Self-adhesive version available
  • CE marking
PRODUCT Colour Weight Tensile
strength
Nail tear
resistance
Temperature
range
Water vapour
resistance
Water vapour
permeability
UV Sizes Roll weight Pallet
quantity
Thermal
reflectivity
Thermal emissivity
UltraBlock 300 Silver/
Green
270 MD 400/XD 300
MD 290/XD 300
MD 140/XD 230
MD 260/XD 265
-40 to +70 >25,000 MNs/g
BS 3177
approx. 0.0007 Perms (USA)
< 0.01
EN 1931

EN 12572(c)
3 months 2.0 x 50 28 33 0.54 0.46
UltraBlock 250 Silver/
White
114 MD >150
XD >150
MD >100
XD >100
-40 to +70 ~600 MNs/g
Sd 120m

EN 1931/EN 12572,C
NA 3 months 1.5 x 50
2.7 x 50

3.0 x 50
9
16.1

18.1
39
39

39
0.75 0.24
UltraBlock 200 Silver/
Clear
104   MD 185
XD 184
MD 110
XD 87
-40 to +70 >630 MNs/g
BS 3177
0.5
ASTM F 1249-90
3 months 1.6 x 50 8.8 50 0.64 0.36
UltraBlock SA Silver/
White
180 (excl liner)
240 (incl liner)
MD 650
XD 520
MD 255
XD 250
40 to +70 >7,500 MNs/g
Sd >1,500m

EN 1931/ EN 12572, C
NA 3 months 1.5 x 100 37 20 NT NT
VCL 250 Clear 285 MD 585
XD 430
MD 250
XD 300
-40 to +70 530 MNs/g

BS 3177

0.39
DIN 53122
3 months 2.0 x 50 29 33 NA NA
VCL 170 Clear 210 MD 465
XD 415
MD 310
XD 355
-40 to +70 336 MNs/g

BS 3177

0.61
DIN 53122
3 months 2.0 x 50 21.5 33 NA NA

Powerlon Air & Vapour Control Layers VCL Projects

2022-07-26T15:46:46+01:00

Tameside College

ITP supplied our VCL 250 vapour control layer as a protective solution underneath a stunning façade design at the Advanced Technologies Centre (ATC), Tameside College’s £10.5 million learning facility in Greater Manchester.

2022-07-14T10:15:00+01:00

Bournemouth University

ITP’s advanced vapour control layers have been used as part of a major development plan at Bournemouth University, where a multi-million-pound investment in new facilities is supporting and enhancing the learning and working environment for students and staff.

View all Powerlon projects

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