Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can tiles be used with the system?
    In principle yes!
    But since tiles are practically impervious, it doesn't really make sense to use the system under tiles. An exception would be e.g. a strip of tiles in the kitchen between the work space above the bottom cabinets and the top cabinets.
  • How are sockets installed?
    The most simple solution is recommended for installing sockets, using commercially available sockets, making as many pre-cut openings as possible and sinking the socket entirely in the mortar bed. Any condensation that forms on the back side of the socket can be transported through the mortar, iQ Fix or Undercoat Render back into the room.
  • How is electric wiring laid?
    If old electric wiring is kept, it is recommended to remove the old sockets and fill the holes with insulation material (e.g. polyurethane foam) and to place the new socket in the panel. Commercially available hollow wall sockets can be used.
    If new electric wiring is laid, the wiring can be laid either on the front side of the panel or on the back side.
  • How are pipes for heating and warm water laid?
    Pipes for heating and water should always be laid on the "warm side", i.e. on the room side of the system. Slits are made in the panels for the pipes which are later covered with the render, iQ Top.
  • How do you hang paintings or similar objects?
    Paintings and other objects with a similar load are anchored in the panel with screwed dowels.
  • How are wall cabinets mounted?
    If at all possible, wall cabinets should not be mounted on walls with an interior insulation system. If such heavy loads are unavoidable, simple mounting elements are offered that ensure thermal de-coupling.
  • Does the system also function in bathrooms?
    In principle, iQ-Therm also functions in damp rooms as long as you make sure there are sufficient drying times. If possible, tile covers on walls should not be used in these areas.
  • Can wallpaper be used with the system?
    No recommendations can be made for this so far because of the enormous variety of wallpapers and glues. The system should not be covered with wallpaper.
  • How do you cut the panels?
    The panels can be cut with conventional wood-working tools. A bench-mounted circular saw and a hand as well as machine operated reciprocating saw (also called a jigsaw) are most often used.
  • What possibilities are there for decorating the surface?
    The surface can be smoothed in the system with iQ-Fill and can then be coated with iQ-Paint. iQ-Paint is available in white as well as in colours. You should remember that the surfaces insulated with iQ-Therm are only the exterior walls of a room. Lime and silicate paints that are highly water vapour diffusion open can also be used to decorate the surface.
  • Can other renders than iQ-Top be used for finishing?
    As a part of the system, iQ-Top is functionally coordinated. As an alternative – if required – loam render is the only other alternative.
  • Does this system comply with EnEV (the German energy saving regulation)?
    This question can only be answered in conjunction with the entire wall construction since the U-value of the entire building element is used as the criterion in EnEV.
  • Can iQ-Therm be used for framework?
    Yes! In these cases, the framework timber must be "packed" with an approx. 2 cm thick layer of loam and the panels must also be cemented with loam. Remmers Loam Cement (in the line of products for the maintenance of monuments) is suitable for this purpose. In addition, the panels should be attached in the compartments with the dowels normally used for bonded thermal insulation systems.
  • Do iQ-Therm Panels need to be attached with dowels?
    On all one-piece structures without dynamic loads, iQ-Therm does not need to be attached in wall or ceiling areas with dowels. For structures with dynamic loads (e.g. framework), the use of dowels such as those used for attaching bonded thermal insulation systems is recommended. Normally, the dowels are not placed in the wood but in the compartment.
  • Can iQ-Therm be used for insulating ceilings?
    Yes!
  • Is capillary conductivity just through the holes sufficient? Calcium silicate is much more absorbent?
    The capillary conductivity of iQ-Therm has been optimised for maximum moisture transport of 3 kg of water/m². This corresponds to the amount of moisture that can dry off in the direction of the room under our climate boundary conditions. Panels with greater absorbency such as calcium silicate are over-dimensioned in this respect and cannot transport more moisture than this in our climate conditions anyway.
  • Why are there no holes in the panels for reveals?
    In principle it would be desirable to mount the "normal" iQ-Therm Panels in reveals as well.
    But the use of cut polyurethane panels without holes is a good compromise.
    - Since these panels do not have holes they do not have to be covered with render; smoothing with a filler suffices which also ensures the low system height required in these areas.
    - Panels without holes inhibit vapour more strongly which also inhibits the formation of condensation, and
    - Panels without holes have a higher insulation effect (λ = 0.028 W/mK).
  • How deep do ceilings and connecting walls need to be insulated?
    To determine the exact insulation depth, a calculation of the heat bridge factor according to DIN 4108 2 must be made in each individual case. By using an entire iQ-Therm Panel (60 cm wide) or a corresponding wedge, you can be sure of being on the safe side.
  • What do you do with beam ends in the case of critical wood beam ceilings?
    Wood beam ends only need to be heated in especially critical cases. This can be achieved by leading normal heating pipes through this area or by laying special heating pipes over the wood beam ends. As a supporting measure, a canted perforated plate can be placed over the beam ends which transports warmth from heating to the face side of the beam and allows a certain amount of air circulation. These solutions require much less energy than you would think.
  • In what condition must the substrate be to allow the use of the iQ-Therm System?
    The substrate must be plane so that the system can be bonded over the entire surface. Lump or point/bead cementing is not permissible.
  • Where are the limits of using iQ-Therm?
    Highly insulating systems should always be used over the entire surface; otherwise problems may arise in the transition areas between non-insulated and insulated walls. For partial insulation, e.g. within the scope of mould restoration in areas where there are heat bridges, building materials with less insulating effect such as Mould Restoration Render or Mould Restoration Panels should be used.
  • What about fire protection?
    The iQ-Therm Panels are B1 class building materials. This plays no role inside residential units, no matter what storey or what the height of the building; the only restrictions are in escape ways since only A1 class building materials are approved for these areas. However, deviations for fire protection may be permitted from an engineering standpoint. The use of the iQ-Therm System covered with SLP 25 N is presently being tested in the escape ways of the "Elbphilharmonie" now under construction in Hamburg.