SIGA

In new buildings air tight and driving rain proof joints in window installations are mandatory required by law. Blower door tests have shown that foaming alone is no long-term solution. Window installers mainly fall back on various pre-compressed tapes and foils to ensure permanent sealing. However, their practical application is often time-consuming and laborious.

One solution that has proven to be much faster and less complicated in application than conventional techniques comes from the Swiss manufacturer Siga in the form of Fentrim, the tape with full adhesive strength over its entire surface. With its green and yellow adhesive tapes Rissan and Sicrall the system manufacturer for materials around the air and wind tight building shell already enjoys the best reputation among craftsmen. Fentrim as well is aiming exactly at on-site requirements, but is in particular dedicated to the professional sealing of window joints. The adhesive tape is available in two versions: Fentrim 20 for internal airtight bonding (sd = 20 m) and as diffusion-enabled Fentrim 2 for creating the external driving rain proof and wind tight layer (sd = 2 m).

Since law regulates air tightness it is an important planning task for architects. If the respective measures are not extensively described in the tender or the work is not coordinated in detail, then in the worst case it will lead to structural damage. Architects can be held liable. One of the trickiest points of failure in air and driving rain- / windtightness are the joints between windows and solid structure, since here various materials and disciplines are used.

Both aspects can be optimized with the high-performance adhesive tape Fentrim, which was especially developed by the Swiss system manufacturer Siga for sealing window joints. With its special properties it offers significantly more planning reliability compared to previous solutions: the tape has not only an enormous adhesive force but can also be installed directly on window and solid structure – at full-surface bonding. In this way additional prime coats or sealing compounds can be omitted, what avoids possible sources of defect during processing and subsequent work right from the outset.

Both tape versions conform with the respective requirements: Fentrim 20 for internal airtight bonding (sd = 20 m) and diffusion-open Fentrim 2 for creating the driving rain and wind tight layer on the outside (sd = 2 m). Depending on window type and installation situation it is used in dimensions 15/85, 15/135 or 15/185 mm, so that even different joint widths can be worked and connections in the parapet area can be made. Users, and thus ultimately planners benefit from the special adhesive tape design: the factory-made pre-folding facilitates the installation of Fentrim and a fleece with a perforated area ensures that the subsequent plaster bonds well with the substrate. Thanks to its extreme adhesive force the necessary tightness is ensured immediately and permanently across the entire surface.

If the Fentrim is not to be plastered over use Fentrim IS, the high performance adhesive tape without a plastering zone. Fentrim IS 2 for outside use and Fentrim IS 20 for inside are available in sizes 15/60, 15/85, 15/135 or 15/185 millimetres. Fentrim IS is a new product introduced in 2015 specially for windows installed on the outside surface and available in sizes 15/235 or 15/285 millimetres.

The tape can be used universally for all types of windows, independent of its intended installation position. Fentrim’s high quality for air and wind tight sealing of window joints was certified by the Institut für Fenstertechnik e. V. (ift Rosenheim, Germany). The adhesive tape also complies with the requirements for RAL quality assured installation. Like all products it was developed during several years by the Siga in-house laboratory, which is reflected, among others, in extreme temperature and aging resistance. There will be no complaints about increased airborne noxious matters if materials of the Swiss manufacturer are specified in the tender, since no resins, solvents or other indoor toxins are contained.

On its website Siga offers further support for architects and planners. Texts for invitation to tender, product data sheets and test certificates can easily be downloaded.

For further information visit www.siga.swiss.