LESSON 5
GARAGE SYSTEMS

In the previous lessons we discussed the last stages of the thermal insulation - we focused on priming the substrate under the render, application of the thin-layer renders and painting. And, although we have already traced all the phases of the insulation, there is still a lot ahead and we continue the education. Now it‘s time for the details of the garage systems.

 

In this lesson we will focus on the available systems and technologies for thermal insulation of garages. Before we go deeply into the topic, we should answer the question: why should we insulate the garages and basements?

The purpose of the basements and garages increasingly deviates from the standard way of thinking. Basements can be adapted as a commercial property or a place to store wine. The features of the garages have changed - especially if you think of the multi- car underground parks, multi-storey car parks at galleries and garages replacing basements under the newly built multiple dwelling units.

Although our bikes and cars do not freeze, the family members living directly above the garage or the basement do. So the current garage insulation system is primarily associated with the floor, and its task is to create an extra layer protecting the rooms on the upper floors from the cold. Of course, aesthetic values of the finished ceilings in garages and basements are also of significant importance, since the insulation improves the appearance and gives a uniform nature of the surface.

 

The purpose of the garage insulation system is the protection against heat loss, noise and fire spread. All these cases are regulated by the local building regulations. The following types of buildings should hold the insulated ceilings: residential buildings, public access buildings, permanently or temporarily inhabited with basements, garages as well as the rooms separating the heated section from the unheated one, all new and retrofitted buildings in the area of ceiling. They must meet the following conditions:
a) construction safety*
b) fire safety*
c) operational safety,
d) adequate hygiene, health and environmental protection conditions*
e) protection against noise and vibration*
f) adequate energetic performance and efficiency of the energy use*

*By choosing the right combination of materials based on thoroughly selected building chemicals combined with lamella wool ATLAS Roker G system protects the structure with an additional layer, which increases its durability and safety of use. It constitutes an additional fire barrier that prevents the spread of fire, at the same time suppresses the vibration and noise and improves the energy performance of the ceiling. Shortly speaking: safer, quieter and warmer.

Thanks to the legal regulations we live in warmer, quieter and safer way. They also contributed to the creation of parameterized garage systems, such as the ATLAS Roker G system of thermal insulation of ceilings available in three types. Let‘s take a look at the characteristics of each variant proposed by the Roker G system.

 

ROKER G INSULATION SYSTEM
Option I
1. Concrete ceiling
2. Priming (optionally)
3. Adhesive for MW panels application
4. Mineral Wool (MW)
5. Mechanical  xing with steel pin
6. Adhesive for reinforcing layer (basecoat)
7. Reinforcing mesh
8. Paint coat

In Option I of the system the following ATLAS products are used:
• Adhesive ATLAS ROKER W/ATLAS ROKER U,
• Paint: Atlas SALTA N.
The task of Option I is to cover the internal wall surfaces or ceilings (from the inside) with the mineral wool insulation panels and then execution of a reinforcing layer (basecoat) coated with the façade paint.

ROKER G INSULATION SYSTEM
Option II
1. Concrete ceiling
2. Priming (optionally)
3. Adhesive for MW panels application
4. Lamella Mineral Wool (MW)
5. Mechanical  xing with steel pin
6. Adhesive for reinforcing layer (basecoat)
7. Reinforcing mesh
8. Priming mass under thin-layer render
9. Thin-layer render
10. Paint coat (optionally)

 

In Option II of the system the following ATLAS products are used:
• Adhesives: ATLAS ROKER W/ ATLAS ROKER U,
• Priming masses for renders: ATLAS CERPLAST / AVAL KT 16, ATLAS SILKON ANX
• Renders: ATLAS CERMIT ND; silicone-silicate ATLAS, silicone ATLAS/AVAL,
• Paint: silicone ATLAS SALTA.

Option II is to cover the internal wall surfaces or ceilings (from the inside) with the mineral wool insulation panels and then execution of a reinforcing layer (basecoat) which is covered (manually or with a spray unit) with a thin-layer render that can be optionally painted.

 

ROKER G INSULATION SYSTEM
Option III
1. Concrete ceiling
2. Priming (optionally)
3. Adhesive for MW panels application
4. Lamella Mineral Wool (MW)
5. Render for spray application Cermit MN
6. Paint coat (optionally)

In Option III of of the system the following ATLAS products are used:
• Adhesives: TLAS ROKER W, ATLAS ROKER U,
• Mineral Wool Paroc CGL20 CY,
• Render: mineral CERMIT MN,
• Paints: acrylic ATLAS SALTA E, ATLAS SALTA S; silicone ATLAS SALTA.


As the Option III is the most popular solution we focus in details on it. This option is technologically different from the options I and II, which - apart from the application site (ceiling) - do not differ significantly from the traditional insulation. A key element differing the options I and II from Option III is the number of layers in the system and the number of phases. An important element of the Option III is also the form of render application - spraying with the use of a unit.

1. Substrate Preparation
In most cases, the substrates in the ROKER G system are ceilings made of prefabricated or monolithic materials. A key element in the preparation of this type of substrate is to determine its moisture content. In common words - the surface should be dry. Maturing (setting) time of the concrete floor is 28 days and after this period, it should be kept in air-dry conditions.

 

The surface must be cleaned of all kinds of inequalities, overhangs, dirt and other elements that reduce the insulation adhesion. If there is a need to reduce the substrate absorption, it should be primed with ATLAS UNI-GRUNT / AVAL KT 17. Substrates of low absorption or extremely smooth should be covered with ATLAS CERPLAST / AVAL KT 16. The most efficient application method is spraying which reduces consumption, accelerates the work and enables uniform distribution in the places out of reach of a roller or a brush.

 

2. Lamella wool application In the third Option of the Roker G system, we use milled lamella wool. It differs from traditional lamella - it has onesided cut edges, the so-called cutters. The wool application technology is the same as in the lamella wool application on a façade (the difference lies in the fact that the panel is lighter and does not require mechanical fixing). On the surface of the wool, which is directly fixed to the substrate, we need to make the so-called bonding layer made of spread adhesive ATLAS ROKER W. On the surface prepared in this way we apply the adhesive and form it with a notched trowel to produce a layer providing adhesion to the substrate. The prepared panels of wool should be applied on the ceiling so as not to leave visible handprints. Use a trowel to avoid leaving any traces and carefully press together the strips of wool. Make sure the adhesive does not covers the panel side edges. The panels should not be pressed with a hand or a fist, because there is a risk of the wool crumpling, which will be visible on the final render layer and will reduce the aesthetics.

 

3. Priming
For the garage ROKER G system (Option III) the Paroc factory primed milled wool marked CGL20 CY is designed. One of the main advantages of this wool is pre-impregnated surface allowing direct render spraying. Thanks to this solution, we apply the spray render in one phase only. The advantage of this type of wool is the possibility of ceiling insulation execution when the time is important and we reckon with the substrate drying.

 

 

The second solution is to use the standard lamella wool (not factory- primed). In this case, it should be primed by spraying with ATLAS CERPLAST/ AVAL KT 16 with the use of the same aggregates as for renders applications. What is important, both solutions are consistent with the system Approval.

4. The render application
The render application in the ROKER G system (Option III) is carried out with the use of the specially selected machines. We recommend the multi-pump MAI 2 and Wagner PC 15 aggregates. They differ in dimensions and the pumping system. MAI 2 is based on a membrane rotoflex pump and Wagner PC 15 is based on a spiral pump system.

5. Stages of Rendering
ATLAS mineral renders of aggregate size 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm can be used with this system The first and the crucial step is to prepare the render properly. Mix the dry mixture with a suitable amount of water (listed on the packaging) with the use of a ribbon mixer. It ensures that no lumps will occur in the render. After proper render preparation we launch the aggregate unit.

 

Since the render, due to its designation and composition, does not have good sliding properties, prior to the application of the render prepare the unit, so as to achieve
the necessary properties. There are several ways to do that:

1. Mix the wallpaper paste with plenty of water, pour the mix into the unit and pump at a low speed through a hose without the lance attached at the end.
2. Pour Atlas CERPLAST /Aval KT 16 and, as in the case of wallpaper paste, pump it.
3. Mix the render (e.g. mineral) with large amount of water to reach the consistency of Atlas CERPLAST /Aval KT 16 and thus we give the proper slide in
the hose.

Avoid priming of air of the aggregate system. When the lubricant disappears from the tank, you should immediately add proper render. Only when at the end of the hose the right consistency render appears, you can install the lance and proceed with the application. The render applied on the wool should be evenly spread, so that the entire wool surface is uniformly coated.

 

 

 

We have tried to give a detailed description of the garage thermal insulation system. And, although it is not a complicated procedure, we advise to read in advance the detailed instructions. One wrongly executed element may impact the whole work. We hope that this lesson will be helpful to you. It should help the experienced installers to supplement their knowledge but also explain the beginners how to proceed with the thermal insulation of the garage or basement ceilings. We also invite you to attend trainings conducted by Atlas technical advisors.

 

 

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!