FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about AeroTherm
Please contact us should you not find an answer to your query.
What is AeroTherm?
AeroTherm is a revolutionary reflective coating that provides a lower cost and effective alternative to traditional external or internal wall insulation. The product is applied at just 1mm thick to the internal surfaces of exterior walls ceilings, creating warm to touch surfaces that reflect heat back into the room.
How does AeroTherm work?
AeroTherm works in a completely different way to traditional insulation. AeroTherm rapidly absorbs and emits radiant energy, so it is constantly working to achieve and maintain a balance of radiant heat transfer within the room. It is therefore essentially reflecting the heat around the room and instantly adjusting to any changes to provide a more stable thermal comfort to the occupants. This results in quicker warm up times, longer cool down times and a more balanced wall to wall room temperature. It also limits heat escaping through the surface where it has been applied. By absorbing heat it creates warm surfaces and eliminates temperature differentials between the surface and the air next to the surface, thus helping to eliminate the conditions where condensation and mould growth can occur.
What is AeroTherm made from?
AeroTherm is made from microscopic, reflective, glass spheres and Aerogel – the world’s most effective insulant. The glass spheres increase the surface area by as much as 80 times, which capture and reflect a great deal more radiated energy.
How does AeroTherm compare to traditional insulation?
AeroTherm performs to the same extent as 120mm of external fibre based insulation material, albeit it in a completely different way to traditional insulation materials (see ‘How Does Aero-Therm work?’). Aero-Therm’s energy savings have been independently tested by approved test houses and have shown up to 35% energy savings, which is equivalent to those achieved with conventional internal or external wall insulation.
What is the shelf life of the product?
AeroTherm is supplied complete with a 1 year product limited guarantee, from the date of delivery to the final end user customer, providing that the guarantee expiry date falls within 2 years of the date of manufacture of the product.
The product limited guarantee is that the product will be free of defects caused by failure of raw materials, or faults occurring during the manufacturing process, providing that the product has been stored in its original, unopened and undamaged containers, at a temperature of between +5 and +25 ºC away from direct sunlight and has never been allowed to freeze.
How long does the product last when it is opened?
AeroTherm should ideally be used as soon as possible, once the original container has been opened. If the product dries out, it can be reworked by adding further small amounts of water. We would not recommend using any product in opened containers beyond 3 months.
How should I store the product?
AeroTherm should be stored at a temperature of between +5 and +25 ºC. If transporting the product, ensure that the temperature does not fall below 5ºC. Below 5ºC, the product will begin to solidify as components within the product start to freeze. It is very important to fully hand mix the product before application, as the binders within the product can settle to the bottom of the container. We recommend storing the product upside down following transportation . This will allow more thorough mixing of the product.
What do I need to do to my walls before I apply AeroTherm?
Before applying AeroTherm, the walls and ceilings must be in a sound, solid state. All wallpaper, lining paper, flaking plaster or flaking paint must be removed. The surfaces should be free from grease, dust, impurities. Any traces of mould growth must be properly eliminated. With the correct preparation, AeroTherm will adhere to most surfaces. It should not be used to smooth, level or cover over imperfections in the substrate. It is of particular importance to identify any areas of previous or current rising damp or water ingress. The cause of these must be located and fully rectified before applying AeroTherm. Uneven walls may require skim plastering before applying AeroTherm. External corners may need steel beading to create a neat edge finish.
We recommend that the walls have a moisture content below 60%. The surface temperature is above 10OC and room humidity is below 65% in order to apply Aero-Therm. Measuring equipment is widely available on the market. Please contact your supplier if you would like help in sourcing any measuring equipment.
Radiators should be removed, sockets turned off and loosened and floor coverings should be protected. Any additional surface fixings such as picture frames, curtain rails, etc should be removed. All furniture and ornaments should be protected with dust sheets and removed away from the walls and allow a sufficient working area.
Once the prescribed conditions are completed, an AeroTherm Base Coat needs applying prior to the AeroTherm. The Base Coat contains the same binders as the AeroTherm itself, so allows it to dry out gradually and evenly and create a strong bond with the substrate. It will need to completely dry, which could take 12 hours but can be shortened depending on the room conditions and substrate. Porous surfaces, such a new plaster, will require 2 coats of Base Coat. You must allow 3 hours between coats and a minimum 4 hours after first application before applying AeroTherm.
How long does it take to install AeroTherm?
AeroTherm can be applied quickly on to large areas but the whole system install requires drying times. An experienced installer on his own may install over 30m2 over 2 days. Given that the AeroTherm itself needs 24 hours to dry, the minimum installation time will always be two days. If unproductive drying times can be minimised by completing other projects on site or nearby, then an experienced installer team of 2 could complete around 200m2 in a week. We recommend heaters and de-humidifiers to ensure the product dries quickly.
What coverage can I expect from AeroTherm?
1 litre of AeroTherm covers 1m2 at 1mm thick. AeroTherm should be applied anywhere between 0.8mm and 1mm to derive an optimum performance. In practice, walls are not perfectly flat and so we would suggest that an element of waste is budgeted for depending on the nature of the substrate.
What coverage can I expect from AeroTherm Base Coat?
1 litre typically covers 7m2. We recommend two coats are applied to new plaster. The product is supplied in 5 litre containers, thus covering c. 35m2.
Can the product be applied using paint brush or roller?
The product is too thick to paint and will leave a very stippled finish if applied with a roller. The easiest and quickest method of installation in a most domestic scenarios is trowel application
How easy is it to spray?
AeroTherm Products are currently working on developing a spray application method. We will provide details and guidance on a suitable system, once it undergone appropriate tests and trials.
Can AeroTherm be applied on to any surface?
AeroTherm has some very good adhesive properties and can be successfully applied to many surfaces with the correct preparation. Standard industry guidelines still apply in terms of removing contaminants, dust, mould, etc.
Will the surface finish be durable?
AeroTherm produces a semi-hard surface finish. In most circumstances this will prove more than adequate for most customers and if inadvertently knocked or scrapped can be easily repaired. However in areas of high traffic, or where people or objects regularly come into contact with a wall, we would recommend adding additional surface protection by either applying a covering of lining paper before final painting, or in the worst case areas, the additional application of a 3mm protective plaster skim. Adding protective coverings over AeroTherm may impact on the overall performance of the product
What impact does painting or wall papering have on the performance of the product?
By adding more layers over the AeroTherm, you create a time delay for the energy in the room to reach the AeroTherm layer. Paint and lining paper have a very marginal effect on the performance, whilst a plaster skim will have a greater impact on performance. You will however, lose the warm to touch feeling when a plaster skim coat is applied to AeroTherm.
If I apply wallpaper over AeroTherm – will I be able to remove it in the future without damaging AeroTherm?
If you are applying lining or wall paper and you are mindful that you may remove the paper in the future, then we would recommend the application of a vinyl silk paint once the AeroTherm has fully dried before applying the lining or wall paper. This will provide the best chance of being able to remove the paper in the future without damaging the AeroTherm although this cannot be guaranteed.
How long do I have to wait before I paint the AeroTherm surface?
After application, ensure that the AeroTherm has dried completely before decoration takes place. Drying times will depend upon prevailing climatic conditions, together with the moisture content of the substrate that AeroTherm has been applied to. A minimum of one week (with a recommended timescale of two weeks) is normally required before final decoration is undertaken. If possible the area should be kept warm and regularly ventilated. Note - the use of a de-humidifier will assist with the drying process.
If I apply AeroTherm over new plaster, how long should I wait before painting?
New plaster can take up to 6 months to dry and hence we would recommend that once the AeroTherm has dried that advice is sought from your paint supplier as to how to paint on top of new plaster. For example, a major paint manufacturer advises that a breathable paint is first applied, with their recommendation being a Contract Matt.
Can I apply any paint?
We recommend the use of quality Trade paints over AeroTherm. This is because paints with good quality binders are more likely to provide a better finish over the naturally absorbent AeroTherm surface. Do not apply the paint too thickly as this can cause the paint to crack. We would always recommend that the wall and AeroTherm are fully dry before paint is applied, however if there is any doubt as to whether the wall or AeroTherm is dry then we would recommend using a breathable paint. Care must be taken to let each layer of paint fully dry (not just touch dry) before applying the next layer. We have experienced paint cracking issues with Dulux paint and in particular the matt emulsion range. If there is any doubt about the paint to be used, then we would recommend applying paint to a small test area. We specifically exclude any liability associated with the quality of your paint finish.
Are the energy savings backed up by credible test data?
Yes, scientifically monitored and published co-heating tests were undertaken by an internationally accredited (ILAC), European construction product testing centre. The tests took place over the winter of 2013/2014 in two purposely built identical test buildings – one applied with AeroTherm and the other without The results confirmed that the room with AeroTherm heated up 27% quicker and took 55 minutes instead of 30 minutes to cool down 30C. The temperature differential in the test buildings was reduced from 100C to 70C, and a minimum, heating energy saving of 12.5% was recorded across the test period.
A second set of co-heating tests were completed by another internationally accredited test house in August 2015. They showed that with the application of AeroTherm the underfloor radiant heating system could be undersized by 35% and conventional radiators by 26%.
What energy savings can I expect?
The energy savings that will be achieved will be dependent upon the number of surfaces that AeroTherm is applied to and the level of thermal performance of the property prior to application. With AeroTherm a room will heat up quicker and will feel more comfortable at a lower temperature. If the heating settings are not adjusted to account for this benefit then whilst you are likely to feel much warmer, the savings achieved will be lower than they could be.
How do you justify up to 35% energy savings as quoted in your literature?
A second set of co-heating tests were completed by an internationally accredited test house in August 2015. They showed that with underfloor heating a direct 48% energy saving was achieved over a 7 day period – with the feedback being “the heating system could be undersized by 35% with the application of AeroTherm”.
Does the product have a U value or SAP rating?
One of AeroTherm’s key strengths is in its ability to rapidly absorb and emit radiant energy to achieve and maintain a thermal balance within the room. As U-Values are based on measuring conductive heat loss from the building fabric to the exterior, then these factors are not properly accounted for or measured in a hot box test – the industry standard for measuring a U-Value. We are working to incorporate the product into domestic EPCs through an alternative methodology to provide a U-Value equivalent for SAP ratings.
How does AeroTherm reduce condensation and mould?
By absorbing heat AeroTherm creates warm walls and eliminates temperature differentials between the wall surface and the air next to the wall. Warm moist air will no longer hit a cold wall and thus is less likely to condense on the wall. With less condensation comes less mould growth and a healthier environment. However, there is no substitute for ventilating a property. With AeroTherm your property will heat back up quicker once you have opened a window to ventilate a room.
What is the dew point?
The dew point is the temperature at which moist air condenses and is a big issue on walls and ceilings of many properties. With AeroTherm, approximately 20% of the absorbed energy is actually pushed into the wall, thus moving the dew point away from the AeroTherm coating and further back into the wall. The other 80% of the absorbed energy is reflected back into the room.
Will AeroTherm rectify damp walls?
No. If walls are suffering from a damp problem then the cause must be identified and rectified before applying Aero-Therm. If AeroTherm is applied to a damp substrate, there is a risk that too much moisture will build up behind the AeroTherm and cause it to lose adhesion.
We recommend that walls must have less than 60% moisture and have a temperature of over 10OC before applying AeroTherm. Room humidity should also be less than 65%. We can recommend tools to enable you to measure this.
What is “thermal comfort”?
Thermal comfort is about achieving conditions in a room where you feel pleasantly warm. This may differ from person to person. With AeroTherm you have a more even floor to ceiling temperature, warm walls , reduced cold spots and the benefit of radiant energy being reflected back against people rather than just being absorbed by the walls and the insulation. Installations across Europe have shown that you can turn your heating thermostat setting down by 2-3°C when AeroTherm is applied and still feel comfortably warm. Please also refer to our news article on our website ‘What is thermal comfort?’ for a more information.
How long is the product warranted for and what does the warranty cover?
AeroTherm is supplied with a 15 year manufacturer’s warranty, as long as the product has been installed according to the instructions. AeroTherm will continue to be fit for purpose and will continue to perform for a period of fifteen (15) years from the date of application. All repairs covered under the manufacturer’s warranty must be undertaken by one of our nominated approved contracting partners or installers, unless we specifically agree and direct that this service be performed by others.
Any remedial works covered within the scope of the manufacturer’s warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement of the actual product only and will specifically exclude all consequential loss or damage howsoever caused, including but not limited to, the cost of redecoration.
Does the performance of the product deteriorate over time?
The product has undergone extended life testing and if correctly applied, then the performance of the product will not deteriorate for a period of 25 years. Adding significant layers of paint or wallpaper over time, will create a time delay in respect of the reflection of energy back into the room. It is important that the substrate behind the AeroTherm does not become affected by damp as this could result in the loss of AeroTherm adhesion to the underlying surface.
If I damage the product surface, what impact does it have on performance?
The impact on performance will be negligible and any damage will only be cosmetic. AeroTherm can easily be repaired, using either a filler or additional AeroTherm applied with a filler knife and re-painted.
What does the AeroTherm fire rating - A2, S1, D0 - mean?
Aero-Therm has a very good fire rating, making it appropriate for both domestic and commercial buildings. The rating refers to a harmonised European standard EN 13501-1. The building regulation requirements state class B or better for wall coverings with no limit on smoke or droplets.
The 1st part relates to how combustible the material is. A1, A2 are non-combustible, the scale for combustible materials is then b – F.
The 2nd part relates to the quantity and speed of smoke emission with a low to high scale of 1,2,3.
The 3rd part relates to production of flaming droplets or particles during combustion, with a low to high scale of 0,1,2.
The 1st part relates to how combustible the material is. A1, A2 are non-combustible, the scale for combustible materials is then b – F.
The 2nd part relates to the quantity and speed of smoke emission with a low to high scale of 1,2,3.
The 3rd part relates to production of flaming droplets or particles during combustion, with a low to high scale of 0,1,2.
Is Planning Permission necessary?
Planning permission is not normally required for AeroTherm as it a 1mm breathable wall covering that does not change the internal or external appearance of a property. Permission should always be sought from the property owner. If the building is listed or is in a conservation area you should consult your local planning authority to be certain.
What building regulations apply to AeroTherm?
AeroTherm is considered to be a wall covering for the purpose of building regulations. It therefore needs to have an appropriate fire rating – which it does for both domestic and commercial buildings. Should the substrate that the AeroTherm is to applied on to be part of an extension or renovation, then the structure may need to meet prescribed U-Value, as stated in the relevant building regulations. Consult your local building inspector for further advice.
What certification do you have for the product?
AeroTherm has CE certification, fire safety certificate and a MSDS sheet. The product has undergone a thorough co-heating tests undertaken by TZUS and VUPS, both UKAS partner test laboratories under the ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation) scheme. These test certificates are applicable in the UK under the ILAC scheme. BRE have produced a report that covers the certification (other than VUPS certification that came out after the BRE was completed).
The CE mark, the fire safety certificate and the co-heating tests are all applicable in the UK under the ILAC scheme.
Is the product toxic or carcinogenic?
The glass microspheres in AeroTherm are used in a wide variety of household goods and are used in the cosmetic/pharmaceutical industry. The safety data sheet on AeroTherm states that none of the components are toxic or carcinogenic. The product has been rigorously tested by a very well respected internationally accredited test house.
What safety measures should I follow?
We would strongly recommend that eye protection and breathing apparatus are worn when sanding the product. Please see the product data sheet available on our website for details on product safety matters. Normal installation health and safety site risk assessments should be undertaken.
Do rooms overheat in summer?
AeroTherm does reflect radiant heat back into the room and in the summer there is more radiant heat, particularly from solar gain. We recommend ventilating to control air temperature. Reflective blinds are also available to reduce incoming radiant energy into a room. The UK & Ireland suffers from far more cold days than hot days, so overall this is a benefit.