Gapotape - Perfect Insulation with PIR Board

[@alexbekele8945]

Said it before, but that lad that works with him has basically won the lottery working with Robin.

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

He too will become a Jedi one day.

[@dunch1988]

There's something so satisfying about seeing the boards all taped up like that.

[@nickmcmullan1943]

think that tape is the answer to all my prayers, never in my 47 years of building have I seen something so clever, how did no one come up with sooner

[@ukconstruction]

It works so well Nick and makes the job enjoyable too!!!

[@derekt7606]

I am no builder or joiner but you explain things so well and your work is always top notch.

[@BrasherFox]

It's really really nice to see that perfection still exists in the building trade. I really do admire your skills and long may they continue.

[@dcmc8847]

I know first hand how good gapo tape is. Easy fitted but the heat it saves is unbelievable.

[@ukconstruction]

Its a game changer in my opinion

[@Tubecraft1]

Is it better than foaming in the gap ? I’ve only ever cut my boards 10mm smaller and foam in the gap- ?

[@m0aze611]

I know this is 2 years ago, my wife and I are looking at a property that had a dormer that was built 20 years ago. If we progress then I will be looking at removing the current walls and taking it all back to the rafters to insulate. Quilt or PIR i don’t know but the importance of this vid speaks for itself. Thank you regards Mike

[@rossmitchell4403]

Robin, that is amazingly satisfying to watch. Your attention to detail and accuracy is outstanding.

[@albaPhenom]

That is a monumental amount of effort and attention to detail put into that insulation install but what a job, that's perfection mate.

[@archiehuck4831]

Brilliant to see this product in use and it is clearly well worth the extra investment to improve the seal of the board against the rafters. Credit to skill builder and Robin for highlighting new product's that will improve the efficiency of housing in the UK.

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you Archie

[@vincentboden1597]

This is an excellent product, these rigid insulation's are so expensive and difficult to fit correctly without Gapotape. Absolutely imperative that this insulation is fitted correctly and Gapotape make that a reality. There is another very under rated benefit to this Gapotape, the dust from these boards is terrible which makes fitting them even more difficult and doing away with the dust element is an excellent advantage.

[@robbiedickson5296]

This guy is such a craftsman...everything calm and thought through

[@oreallyoreilly6576]

Thing of beauty, some fella to serve your time with expert, attention to detail 100%

[@frankmatibs8076]

This is fantastic so many people I know can't be bothered to make jigs or prepare jobs properly as they think it takes to long A lot of them let the unskilled labourer fit this stuff and don't care because it's being covered up Nice to see work done properly and with the time and care it needs

[@grafnemilligun9183]

Just finished insulating my extension. Wish I had watched this first. I found that where boards met it was better to mitre the ends so they overlap rather than butting them. Using reference blocks would have helped me as I found it really difficult to butt he boards without one pushing up when the ends were square. Looks like the tape helps with this as well.

[@Samfarrelly]

One of the few jobs I detest whilst on a build! This is a great video with Robin. Again he uses simple techniques/knowledge to make a unenjoyable task slightly less shit. Perfect job 👍

[@craig4549]

I will do absolutely anything else on site but fit that stuff! You're right it's probably the most detestable job ha

[@SkillBuilder]

Craig , most detestable apart from plumbing

[@robandamyp]

Unbelievable quality of work as always from robin dread to think how much he charges for that quality of craftsmanship everything is perfection

[@Jys71208]

I reckon he charges a reasonable amount. Good work comes naturally to him. In my humble opinion doing it properly, only takes marginally longer and a little more expense. Its lazy and not so thorough tradesman i disapprove off.

[@chrissymon1001]

This is a problem. People automatically assume tradesman are expensive if they work to a high standard. Tradesmen like Robin are well worth a premium rate. Often their jobs run better, come in on time and budget. Most importantly of all, the details are correct, the small things that most builders dismiss as “it’ll be right”. It’s nice to see work done to a high standard

[@youngcarreviews5949]

Unfortunately if the customer had 2 quotes one being robin doin it perfectly and using this tape to precision and another cheaper quote rough cutting it in and foaming and taping joints the customer will pick the lower quote. Robins way would cost more, one for that expansion foam and two it would take twice as long to do. Anyway perfect vid as always robin

[@robandamyp]

@@youngcarreviews5949 agree pal building control around my way make us put 100mm internal and 60mm over the top of the joists 100mm dry wall screw do my head in tho hate them

[@Stop..carry-on]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen insulation installed to this standard , i just can’t help thinking all that work and then you have to have trickle vents on the windows and vents for open fires ect

[@samposton9101]

Love the way all the joints lined up even in the hips and valleys. Very nice Robin.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Lovely job as ever Robin 👌🏼, very satisfying to watch 🤩👍🏼🧱

[@harveysmith100]

That was one of your best video's. NESCOT should be very proud of the tradesman you have become. I just know the tape is going to be expensive but with labour costs at £25/£35 per hour, it's a no brainer. The hours that tape must have saved you. If your a bit OCD it must be so relaxing to fit too, it looked so good when it was done.

[@tobybeswick36]

Very interesting video. i've seen insulation jobs where there's gaps all over the boards and everything is held up with nails.. Absolutely no point insulating if you can't get a piston fit on the boards. I've always cut the insulation parallel off the board, offered it up and ran the saw between insulation and joist, but that's always very messy. That festool saw along with the tape has to be the best way to insulate

[@davidwilliams6553]

Very good explanation from a true artisan. Thanks for your hard work in taking the videos and the editing.

[@TinovanRijswijk]

preperation is key! Nice work Robin

[@tomthomas5929]

Looks a good product. I have a 1960s pitched roof about 10m long on 400mm centres that I'm planning to 80mm PIR as DIY. The roof depth apex to eaves is about 4m, so to do both pitches fully for all faces of PIR I'm looking at about 450m of gapotape, which would be around £660. I may end up just doing one edge of the PIR and halving my spend, on the basis that it will still be a big improvement and at least help to squeeze the untaped edge of the board against the other rafter a bit.

[@Baleboygolfing]

Was thinking of doing the same, getting a box and trying it out, let me know how it goes l!!! May also try and put all of it though in the new grant thing, pay for nothing 🧐😂

[@alangaffney7186]

Spend the money on another layer of pir 20 mm or so cut out the thermal bridging of the rafter s money better spent

[@sudhirnaik4751]

Exceptional craftsmanship, accuracy and attention to detail is the way forwards!

[@chekymonkey4452]

my god this insulation is getting verry technical.but a good perfect well-done job is done there grate work.that was well explained

[@jukesr]

Top bloke with another top product, thanks for sharing Robin i will be using this in my loft conversion.

[@sygad1]

WOW, super detailed, learnt lots. Thanks for making this.

[@ForViewingOnly]

It's a shame but I've never come across a tradesman who cares anywhere near this much. That's why I'm doing more and more of the work myself. It may take me a lot longer but at least it's done correctly. Anyway, the quality of the work in this video and in all Skill Builder videos is a joy to behold.

[@DJ-wm4ew]

Attention to detail like this is what sets a good pro above a pro. Great vid filled with useful info 👌 well done Skill Builder

[@sonnythatcher]

Think this is a brilliant product and definitely something that will push the quality of your build above most competitors, but as another comment mentioned here about fitting downlights on to this after what would you guys do? Would really appreciate to see that video if you have any products you use for this purpose.

[@SkillBuilder]

Fitting downlighter into PIR board is a terrible idea

[@sonnythatcher]

@@SkillBuilder just thought if anyone knew a way it would be you guys ✌️

[@johntansey4755]

Great Video Robin, very well demonstrated...could you use the tape as a sill sealer for framing, if not what would you recommend? Thanks

[@ukconstruction]

Hi John, I don"t see why the tape could not be used in that way, as long as it is protected from the elements?

[@anthonywilson8998]

As an Architect I find this vid excellent. We used to regard insulation as an evil necessity but now we all regard it as the most valuable element in the whole building . We still need improvement to retro fit in older buildings. A patented panel with finish would be welcome. A t&g panel with a joint seal all decorative would be great,so you get a vertical board type finish or a vertical stripe. Picture rails,skirtings and covings are difficult and either lost or recessed into the overall appearance. Need ideas from manufacturers.Foam replacements would be amazing to repeat the old appearance. Skirts,picture rail and coving please.

[@chevyimp5857]

This is an excellent video.. it would have been interesting to see the interface of the insulation between rafter and wall plate to show how the air is directed from the eaves to inhibit condensation... Excellent first rate channel.

[@hernebaybob]

So impressed you know your angles. Just shows why maths lessons at school are so important

[@robmaule4951]

Lovely job Robin. Nice to see your apprentice getting some branded gear too 👍🏼👍🏼

[@carlaaron8148]

Brilliant vlog. Clear instructions and well presented.

[@scottiedog4236]

What a tradesman ! Quality right from the start

[@Elli318]

I feel like ripping my plaster boards down on my vaulted ceiling and fitting the tape now I've seen this!! looks like a fantastic product. Obviously I wont be doing this but the problem I have is the down lighters - I had to cut through the PIR board to fit them and on a cold roof it feels like a reel draft is coming through. Any suggestions for the down lighters?

[@SkillBuilder]

The downlighters should never be used in insulation. Even the fire rated ones have vents so a lot of moisture goes through those holes.

[@alexjames1146]

Take them out and replace them with a similar looking led slim panel and fill the hole with rigid foam and some Gapotape™.

[@Marenqo]

This works for new houses not for old ones with all kind of rafter sizes. Really like the eye for detail

[@robhartwell8324]

I purchased the festool saw bout a 10 months ago and it’s a defo game changer now that tape will make it even better. I was thinking how to make the jigs for my compound mitres, Cheers Robin great stuff as ever.

[@ukconstruction]

You are welcome Rob

[@nZebco]

The aluminum tape usually has to be faced inside the building over the studs/rafters not towards the studs or rafters because you will have a thermal bridge on each stud/rafter. As i see it, the main benefit of this tape is the fact that you dont need to spray foam into the usual side gaps left on this type of insulation. Thanks for the video, didnt know this tape exists.

[@RI-uv3lm]

Perfect, as always Robin 👍👏👏

[@alankane8686]

Fantastic product and video, I love how much effort you put into doing something the correct and proper way. I wish I had have seen this video 2 months sgo when I was cutting Pir to fit between studs and said sure ill fill with foam afterwards which them added way more time trimming all the excess off before the slabs went up. Keep up the great work.

[@bluewaverenovationsltdpurt8104]

Brilliant, cheers Robin, i hate doing that stuff, as you say, a game changer.

[@theburge3577]

Who would of thought Sue Perkins is an expert at insulation. Love the videos!

[@jla3772]

I love the way Robin does things

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

Great video . . . and a game-changer for me as I'm about to upgrade the insulation on a timber-framed house; changing from mineral wool / fibreglass to 100mm PIR in between and 25mm over the top. I can see the value in sealing the gaps up completely. As well as this, I really appreciate your advice regarding not sitting the PIR 'flush' with the rafters in order to allow a gap for reflective radiation. Many thanks

[@markfetherstone2885]

Fantastic Robin once again always knew the gaps we an issue. Great product and I will use on future refurb projects coming up. Question is - does this qualify for the Green homes grants?

[@Baleboygolfing]

Was literally talking to another guy in the comments about this, the whole scheme is really confusing me at the minute, apparently products aren’t what needs to be qualified I.e anything that the installer uses from boards to spray foams is what’s subsidised so the actual job / bill that the builder gives is what the scheme pays for it’s the installer who has to go under a pas system? No idea what that means though, if anyone does please for the love of god fill me in.

[@kevinwallace7000]

Love your tub video's all of them , like, and love you jigs, you make great enginuity how to make or buy them , how to save time and money , ene results fantastic brilliant , i love the way your organized start to finish , thank you so much for your time you give the channel to help us out here in the real world od building 👷‍♂️ tips ,tricks ,invention

[@dannymurphy1779]

Super cool demo thanks for doing this!

[@melliW1]

Hello Robin, I am glad that I recently subscribed to your channel. you really make a good job and i like the way you do your job. i have to insulate my roof soon but didn't know what to take for it, but what you showing here is perfect. i work alone but i have a lot of time. because it has to be perfect i don't know if i can get this here in germany and if not, then i´ll get it in england. I wanted to eat a real breakfast again anyway. maybe we'll see each other in a real pub someday. I have one more question, what else comes across this isolation. until then, best regards from Germany.

[@Oggmiestergeneral]

Awesome attention to detail👌🏻

[@bruceborowski1100]

Fantastic work ethic.. I am thrilled to see this kind of worksmanship...... Thank you for a great video

[@daviddickson7494]

Work smart not hard. Great video

[@thechrissyb]

Hooray you got a festool saw. Honestly well worth it Robin.

[@ukconstruction]

The saw is really nice, well worth buying

[@aayala707]

Absolutely good job mate,you are a good Craftsman.

[@acidlumin]

Looks like a good product. How many rolls did you need?

[@martindorrance8133]

Robin, just wondering why there are no nogins between your roof timbers and how this product would be used if there were some? Ps sorry if this is a stupid question but I’m not a builder of any kind - I just watch to see your skill and perfectionism!

[@ukconstruction]

Hi Martin, Roof rafters don't generally ever have a mid span noggin, they are mainly in timber floor structures only, I have seen noggins used in roofs and you have to be really careful not to impede the through flow of ventilation etc, great question

[@weaverbike]

Will have to use that when I do my suspended wooden floor , will be doing this in June , when the weather is a bit warmer

[@SG-sc9vc]

Hi did you get round to doing this?

[@joebailey5141]

I can imagine every labourer on every site watching this thinking fuck that as there usually the poor bastards that get given the rusty saw and told to get on with it 😂

[@DelH555]

absolutely genius Robin

[@aliones]

can you do a video on how you pir board and gapo tape around cables/pipes in stud walls?

[@adrianwilding2912]

With all this practice it looks like Robin will be wrapping the Christmas prezzies this year😁. mm perfect as usual👍

[@johnwatson8192]

First class presentation skills only exceeded by your ingeniuty and building skills - well done. I'm using some old Styrofoam boards in between the floor joists in a bid reduce the heatloss from my living room to the cellar. I can't get a complete fill nor achieve air tight gaps as you have done but I'm working on the assumption that something is better than nothing and at least if it doesn't make an improvement then at least I haven't spent any money as the boards were free. Great insight into start of the art building techniques though!

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi John Just foam them up

[@peterkohm9742]

nice to see things done properly

[@warrenade]

Robin, the Kingspan Kooltherm Phenolic foam is a better performing product, but it's only 10% better... I'm Sales manager in a Builders merchant and I am always getting my PIR supplier to change the spec on Kooltherm projects. 100mm Kooltherm is the same thermal value as 110mm PIR... and when The Kingspan product is twice the price of PIR.. it's a no brainier to go down the PIR route. And in response to a comment earlier about PIR being the next asbestos and the risk of death from fire as at Grenfell Tower... all PIR manufacturers make fire rated Insulation. It's a shame the construction company cut corners and saved a few quid...

[@rayclarke5367]

Great video, thanks. 600mm centres make perfect sense. It's a pity the PIR boards don't match though, be nice if the boards were 540mm wide, could pop the tape on and install with minimal cutting then.

[@gerardbluett6770]

How many rolls of tape did you use for roof

[@TheEndlessVariables]

I can't find the Gapotape product in Canada. are there any other similar products?

[@ukconstruction]

I am speaking to the Guys from Gapotape, so I will see if they can send it to Canada, do you insulate like this over there?

[@TheEndlessVariables]

@@ukconstruction absolutely! We use white insulation for a lot of things, at the moment we would use this to tape up the seams of the insulation for a wood dry kiln. I wonder what the heat ratings are.

[@Tubecraft1]

I really wish i could use the word “exactly” as often as he did on all the buildings I’ve worked on 😢

[@myatix1]

I wish I had known about this product a year and a half ago!

[@damienford3587]

World Class work, Robin...

[@meldrew728]

Unbelievable job and perfectly explained. Quick question; my loft space is as you described with Rockwall wrapped in plastic, tacked to the unevenly spaced rafters with no soffit or fascia ventilation. So … do I have a hot roof or cold roof and if I were to install this product would it benefit me to have ventilation front and back of the house. Thanks

[@turboflush]

So much good info in this; not even product related. USA is so far behind in our application of products.

[@marria01]

Wish I'd known about this stuff when I did my did my roof insulation. Instead I spent ages cutting and re-cutting to get the stuff to get it to fit without gaps.

[@brntuk]

Does the gapotape tear on sharp knots in the wood or rough timber?

[@jacobtimberjockey6863]

I have a sample from the H&R show, it has a bunch of weird metal reinforced wires running through the entire back of the foil to stop this apparently

[@arthurfowler5943]

Hi Robin... would you bother using gapotape in a stud wall. I get the cold roof scenario is a no brainer... but would walls be adequate with just the odd spray foam job for any gaps given it’s vertical and easier to install

[@OceanMaster-jq7xl]

I used it in my shed / home pod for the walls and roof as apparently the leakage at the sides happens no matter the angle / pitch so walls and roofs all get? (Don’t quote me on that I could be getting that mixed up) my brother in law is a technologist at a design firm and he explained it to me but it’s still confusing, I don’t suppose you know someone that can look at your build / is in the trade? for me that was invaluable having someone that could look at the project and say “yeah for this you need this but you don’t need this”.

[@Jeremy64444]

Great video. Any video of the electricial wiring , as it travels under the insulation . Keeping the warm air away from the cold roof.

[@johnmallaby157]

Another excellent tutorial Robin, however I notice you left a small gap on the warm side of the roof usually this would sit level with the timber, would there be a reason for this?

[@ukconstruction]

It is a great question, I have had different building inspectors insist on a gap between the insulation in-between the rafter and the layer that is underneath and others that how no opinion on it!! I have done a bit of research online through various manufacturers and I have established that if there is an air gap then this helps the insulating qualities by some means of reflection!!! also its handy for the odd electric cable

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi John We have a video coming out about how this works. Radiated heat leaving the building is reflected by the silver foil but this can only work if it has an air gap for the reflected heat to bounce back into the room. Place your cheek a few millimetres away from a sheet of foil and you will feel your radiated heat bounce back at you. Press the foil against your cheek and it stops happening. The small gap you leave is essential to get the most out of the product. It is something a lot of people don't do which is a shame because it is free heat. The best arrangement is insulation set back slightly then the underside 25mm insulation across the bottom to stop the cold bridging then a counter batten vapour barrier then plasterboard. You then have two sealed air gaps and two reflective surfaces with air gaps. It doesn't get any better than that.

[@johnmallaby157]

@@SkillBuilder I can’t wait to watch the tutorial, thanks again for such a simple explanation. I did a small project on a timber office over a year ago now and the vapour barrier was between the clad and framework. I put 60mm kingspan between the wooden framework, my air gap was on the side of the vapour barrier then just plywood the inside section. From this advise I’ve done it wrong but I guess this is the problem so many people have different thoughts. On a positive note I’ve had no problems as yet however it is a glorified workshop really. Keep up the good work yours and robins tutorials are brilliant and very thorough.

[@antonybradford5948]

If you are applying the boards on top of the rafters, almost full size, I suppose you would only use the tape along the edges in contact with timber, not board to board?

[@patrickmurray2220]

Absolute perfection

[@Jys71208]

Great presentation

[@mule666]

You sir are a perfectionist, you love what you do I can see that

[@feargalplant9248]

Looks good, but dosnt the outside of that tape create a thermal bridge? As it looks like foil bridging from the cold to the warm side of the insulation, all the way around?

[@Tubecraft1]

Interesting point but i suppose its a lot better than an air gap 😊

[@zaz7675]

This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing the tips. I'll be using gappo tape for a build soon. I'm wondering after the insulation is placed with friction fit should I also tape over all the joints and where insulation meets timber (internally & externally) to account for any shrinkage / movement from timber over time.

[@mambomachine6317]

Great product, works well. Am I right in assuming you also insulated beneath the rafters to eliminate therm bridging through the cold rafters themselves?

[@SkillBuilder]

You are right to say that should be done. Building regs requirement

[@georgebarr5102]

Looks great, im considering warm pitched , save all this trouble

[@stuart1214u]

Absolutely love watching you guys!! As an avid DIY.....er??.............could you do a video on Spray Foam Insulation??.......I’m looking at renovating an old farmhouse with solid walls.....it’s currently dry-lined with plasterboard.....in winter, I’m heating Ayrshire!!! 🥶

[@robertmiller4139]

Such a fantastic video. I do have one question about the heat/cold insulation that was mentioned. I live in the northeast USA and need the insulation to keep the shed cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Am I supposed to use a different type of insulation?

[@SkillBuilder]

Insulation is clever stuff, it seems to know when to keep the heat out and when to keep it in.

[@robertmiller4139]

@SkillBuilder ok, thank you!

[@feebeejeebees]

Every time Robin says ' Into the valley ' I start singing The Skids. Is it just me ?

[@mattcartwright8272]

haha - that takes me back a bit. Cracking song!

[@ricos1497]

A fantastic video again Roger/Robin. Hugely appreciated. Top drawer explanations. Out of interest, pre festool cutter, would you have done those compound cuts, or just left the gap? It seems like that cutter not only helps with dust extraction, but also encourages you to do the job properly, because it's much easier. I think I'll wait for the 240s - with adjustable base for angled cuts - to come out!

[@TYLERCONSTRUCTION]

Love gapo tape 👍

[@jeremysmith-xb3cd]

setting the standard, great work fella

[@0shiny1]

Does anyone know if 80mm gapotape will work with 50mm PIR okay? Cheers, great video Robin

[@daveramsay8598]

Good advice on the PIU vs PIR. Great video and advice. Cutting to fit and glueing takes a lot of time to get 10% greater roof strength. Trouble is for the DIYer and small jobs kingspan is almost impossible to buy so I no longer even try to buy it, a frustrating waste of time in my experience. I buy the PIR from the competitors which is sold in small quantities for DIY jobs room by room. I also glue the PIR in place so no gaps as the glue expands, I spray with evervbuild 5 star to moisten the wood I am going to glue to for activation and bond or boron gel in critical areas. This provides additional strength to the structure which may be rafters or battons in a 1890s Victorian house. All air spaces restored to have air circulation and avoid moisture issues. Great to see how a pro does it rather than an anal DIYer.

[@garethheathcote4988]

I remember seeing you check out the festool pir cutting saw at a trade show and have been wondering when we would see a video on it. Thanks robin, I'm sure that I will get one if I can justify the cost versus amount of usage. Thanks

[@ukconstruction]

Video coming soon!!!!!

[@surfinchemist1]

This tape seems like a great product, but unless I missed something from Gapotape website it increases the cost of your insulation by 50%. At 1.75/meter with each cavity needing at least 6 meters... 10 pounds a cavity if on 600centers...

[@Dave5843-d9m]

The huge problem with insulation gaps is that warm air literally gets draw. Into the cold gap. Warm air carries moisture. Any in the cold gap chills and condenses. That dries the air so more gets pulled into the gap to moisturise it. Sealing tapes stop the air movement and are usually a must-have but they get ripped on rafters/framing and are a load of work to fit. Plus all the splinters getting in your hands.

[@jacobtimberjockey6863]

14:34 I like that they put that reinforced backing layer in for that reason, stop it ripping on the rough timbers

[@RepairShop2022]

Very neat my friend

[@cinemaipswich4636]

The solvent used in Phenol Polymer is formaldehyde. Check to see if it is completely removed from the product.