Lightweight aggregate (LWA) is the alternative to laying hardcore and secondary insulation.
It can be a simple one man operation, cutting oversite preparation time by hours. Consequently, labour and plant costs can be cut to a fraction of those when using traditional materials.
Everything about LWA is simple. It’s stored in the bag, collected and transported in the bag, laid at the site in the bag and covered in concrete – still in the bag.
There’s no mess, no need for heavy machinery or lifting and no waste. And because it’s so easy to carry, it’s perfect for areas where access is difficult.
Benefits:
- Stored, collected, transported and laid in the bag
- Extremely lightweight and easy to move around site
- Easily and quickly laid by one person in a fraction of the time compared to conventional methods
- No compaction or site machinery required
- No sand blinding required to protect the DPM
- No need to cover hot water pipes prior to laying
- No need for secondary (polystyrene) insulation
- No mess and no waste
| Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use LWA: |
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1) Lay loose material at a depth required to achieve U-value
2) Lay the bags of LWA side by side to cover floor area
3) Fill in any spaces with more loose fill
4) Lay a 1200-gauge damp-proof membrane (DPM)
5) Lay the concrete |