Insulation is at the centre of sustainable energy and is extremely important to incorporate into any renovation project especially in timber structures that are subjected to damp and draughts. The cheapest way to reduce heat loss is to use building materials with high U values and materials with low heat-conductivity as surface finishes. Suspended timber floors to bathrooms can also be particularly at risk from hidden plumbing leaks and condensation behind fitted units.
wedi’s subconstruction elements are tackling the above mentioned issues – from tilebacker boards through shower elements to pipe and wall hung toilet cistern claddings to mention only a few – they are 100 per cent waterproof to the core, decoupling, have the best thermal capabilities (0.036WmK) among common tilebackers on the market and can be either tiled directly onto or plastered. No additional waterproofing or heat insulation is required.
Current trend shows increased popularity of walk-in showers but when it comes to suspended timber floors, it is imperative to take time evaluating between different brands in order to select the best solution that ticks all boxes. wedi products are developed with practicality, versatility and functionality in mind. Uniquely, all wedi Fundo shower elements have a 360˚ dry-fit drain technology that offers reassurance of their use in/on wooden floors and a sealing set developed especially for the all-round sealing of their perimeters.
For many years, wedi’s Fundo Ligno shower element with point drainage was the ultimate solution for installing walk-in shower areas in timber floors. In 2020, to answer the market demand wedi introduced a new solution, the Fundo RioLigno with linear drainage also especially designed for suspended timber floors. In contrast to other shower elements, both the wedi Fundo Ligno and Fundo RioLigno shower elements fit and sit flush in the wooden flooring, without having to cut into floor joists or build up further floor height. With their outer edges of just 20mm and 25mm respectively, keeping safety in focus above everything else, both shower trays are fitted with a support plate on the underside reinforcing the area around the drain opening thus providing unrivalled peace of mind within the moisture sensitive and ever moving timber floor.
Thanks to its close collaboration with industry professionals such as architects, contractors and tradesmen however, wedi knows all too well that leaks often result from poor positioning of the drain body and to eliminate any possibility of failure wedi offers drain-substructure elements guaranteeing reliable support and accurate aligning of the drain thus eliminating time consuming building and filling with mortar and screed.
In relation to bathrooms in timber structures, wall and floor insulation is also an important topic to discuss. Coupling the wedi Fundo shower solutions with wedi building boards and/or wedi Subliner Dry & Flex membranes on walls and floors, would not only result in a CE marked walk-in shower area but also would be awarded with a full wedi system guarantee.
wedi building boards are famous for their suitability to be directly bonded onto timber or metal stud frames without the need for mechanical fixing eliminating laborious sealing measures over the penetrations thus saving time and offering further safety. wedi’s Subliner range, as a complement to wedi building boards, is renowned for its reliability in waterproofing and/or decoupling of bathroom walls and floors.
However as mentioned before, it is important that the tiles chosen have low heat conductivity or to prevent heat loss and promote hygiene around the bathroom at the same time, use a panelling type of finish.
wedi’s first ‚visible‘ range, the wedi Top Line boasts wall panelling (wedi Top Wall), pre-formed shower tray finishes (wedi Fundo Top) and pre-formed Top solutions for cladding of shower seats (wedi Sanoasa Top), niches (wedi Sanwell Top) and toilet cistern cladding for wall hung toilets (wedi I-Board Top). Their characteristics such as the antibacterial surface, low heat-conductivity, excellent slip resistancy (R11) along with their natural feel makes them a perfect complement to use on top of wedi subconstruction elements.
Simple, safe, functional – this is wedi.
Do you have a project to discuss or would like to learn more? Please get in touch either by calling 0161 864 2336 or emailing at enquiries(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)wedi.co.uk. Alternatively visit our website www.wedi.co.uk.