Post by account_disabled on Mar 16, 2024 0:47:22 GMT -5
A situation in which the structural elements of a building are closely linked to each other is not desirable. It can cause unnecessary stress and, consequently, even cracks in walls or floors. How to avoid that? Professionals use expansion joints. What are expansion gaps and how can they keep a building in good condition for a long time? Read our article and find out! Published: 08-23-2023 What is an expansion joint? An expansion joint , also called an expansion joint , is a narrow space left between two building elements. These spaces usually appear between a concrete slab and a wall or between two walls or floors in different rooms. Expansion joints are used in the connections of structural elements made of different materials and that have different properties , such as susceptibility to contract and expand under the effect of heat. For example, areas where the so-called floating floor made of wooden panels interacts with ceramic tiles. Because of the way the panels are placed, the wood continually "works" and changes location slightly. The expansion joint is there to allow this; If we use it, we do not have to worry that our floor will begin to crack due to stress.
Why do we use expansion joints in construction? Expansion joints in apartments and houses are used for a reason: they help keep the walls and floors in good condition. All structural components of a building are exposed to stresses, deformations and slight displacements . These come from forces affecting walls, foundations and floors, or from changes in temperature. They are natural and safe, but as long as CZ Leads we leave the building components some space to transfer these loads. For this, the expansion joint is used in a building ; With that gap, any processes that take place within one element do not affect the others. This prevents cracks and other damage that occurs under the effect of forces acting on wall or floor sections. Most popular expansion joints used in floors Expansion joints can be classified as structural, thermal, technological and anti-vibration. In construction, the first of these types is most often used. Structural expansion joints are supposed to separate the solid fragments of a building and prevent load transfer.
Expansion joints in homes can also be divided into: insulation expansion joints that are located at the wall-floor interface and are intended to prevent sound transmission and floor cracking; They are used in smaller rooms; perimeter expansion joints that complement the insulation joints in larger rooms, with more than 30 m 2 of surface or more than 6 m in length; These holes are made in the slab by dividing it into squares or rectangles of up to 5 m on each side. How to properly make an expansion gap? An expansion joint made by the wall does not mean that our interior will include bad-looking gaps. Expansion joints are made of concrete or cement slab, and if they are located at the interface of a wall and a floor or a floor made of wood and tiles, we can cover them with a profile. The important thing is that the gaps must be filled appropriately. The filler can be made of polystyrene, mineral wool or a special support rod. For larger rooms, where perimeter expansion joints are made, the expansion joint should be filled with a flexible joint putty . A polyurethane foam (PUR) will work well in this case. It has good thermal insulation properties, is vapor permeable and can be precisely placed in small gaps. When choosing the right PUR foam, it is worth choosing trusted suppliers such as the PCC Group. Offers a range of high quality foams that will work well in various construction applications.