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Polystyrene comes in many different
grades. What type do you use for for
your cornices?
All our cornices are manufactured from
blocks of virgin 20DV flame retardant polystyrene. |
Is handling prior to installation a problem
with something as easily damaged as polystyrene?
The finished cornices remain in the blocks of polystyrene from which they
are cut until ready for use. These blocks provide protective packaging and
facilitate transport and storage because they may be stacked flat or
upright. A typical block holding 100 metres of cornice weighs less than
10kgs and is easily handled by one person.
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Not everyone has experience of with working with
polystyrene. How can I be sure the result will be satisfactory if I
install the cornice myself?
The cornices are easy to work with, making installation quick and
straightforward. The polystyrene is cut with either a hot wire or a
fine-toothed saw – an old hacksaw blade being ideal. Cornices are fixed in
position with a paintable, elastic, acrylic sealant which allows a certain
amount of flexing and movement without cracking.
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What
paint can be used on the
cornices?
An approved, good quality primer coat or undercoat is applied to the
installed cornice before finishing with any water-based paint. Paints
containing chemical solvents should normally be avoided as these could
damage the polystyrene. (Certain solvent-based paints may be used –
but check with us first!)
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How long
will the cornices last:
Because
they are made from plastic, the cornices will last indefinitely under normal
conditions. |
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Do the cornices mark or dent easily?
If handled
with reasonable care during installation they are unlikely to be marked or dented.
Once installed they are safely out of harms way. However, any
damage which does occur may be filled easily with the same sealant used for
installation. Once painted, the surface is quite hard. |
Is
the product environmentally friendly?
In
production, the product is both solvent and CFC free. Since our polystyrene
cornices do not burn or give off toxic fumes, they can
be used safely in any room. As with many plastics, discarded polystyrene should not be
disposed of in landfill dump sites, but it is fully recyclable.
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Is
polystyrene affected by heat?
Being
flame retardant, our polystyrene does not burn. However,
extreme heat may cause it to shrink or deform or even melt.
The cornices may be
installed near low voltage concealed lighting or fluorescent lighting
provided an air-gap of at least 50mm is maintained. |
Will
the cornices be damaged if the roof leaks?
No –
polystyrene is not generally affected by contact with water. |
What
do I do about my old/existing cornices?
In most
cases these can be left in place. Polystyrene cornices with a width of
140mm or more can usually be installed over standard gypsum cornices. |
