But tony, how do you get the plaster not to crack at the window frames?

I found http://www.tonyshouse.cowlings.org.uk/tony205.jpg but it doesn't have any details of the sealing. What type of sealant did you use and what shape (i.e. pressed tight together, or a nominal gap, with or without a backing rod etc). How much movement is it designed to accomodate? And is it the material plus sealant that is the airtight layer or the plaster/plasterboard or the skim? I realize it might be belt and braces, regardless of what the theorists say!

FWIW, I did two things today with sticky tape. First I tried to pull some Profil off a door threshold, so we could make some adjustments. It won't come off! Then we pulled a 3-core 25 mm² SWA cable through 30 m of duct by taping the cable to the pull-throughs with Sicrall. We've frequently used Sicrall to attach things we want to pull through with considerable force and it's never failed so far. Obviously, it's possible the answers will be different in a few years, but that's what warranties are for.

I think the science behind testing adhesives for longevity is pretty well understood. Not as if it is a couple of blokes in their sheds stumbling upon something sticky and saying 'I can't get it off this blanket, let's using for a tape'.

Some things go brittle with age some adhesives tend to turn to dust, a lot loose their adhesion, all will loose anything volatile,

Posted By: fostertomHow long would you like your building to stay airtight? 200yrs? I would, but others will say that's ridiculous. 50yrs? Surely a minimum. 20yrs? because the future world will be so technologically fast moving and wealthy that buildings are bought and discarded like mobile phones? 10yrs - how long is the Sicral guarantee valid for? For sure, they've not tested their tape in real conditions for anything like 10yrs, so they don't know it's unconditionally guaranteeable. What conditions do they place? Who will be able to prove the in-use circumstances leading to failure after 10yrs? Will you be around to bother? I give it 2yrs before deterioration begins.

So, back to the irrational, unsupported diatribe when all else fails, Tom? I'm disappointed because much of what you say makes sense to me.

I don't know anything about the warranty on Sicrall, because we've mainly used it for temporary purposes. The Proclima warranty is for 6 years and they accept product liability for 10 years (both longer than UK consumer law). I think that's pretty good. There's no warranty on your suggested solution at all, is there? The Proclima warranty started in 2000, so I fail to see how they can't have been testing for ten years, but you appear to know better, so what exactly is your proof that they haven't been testing over the period they have offered the warranty?

Basically, they're happy to guarantee my unique roof construction against problems caused if their products fail to function to protect it, and they'll replace the entire roof if necessary.

What research has been done and experience gained on the system you propose over 200 years or 50 years or 20 years or even ten years?

Posted By: fostertom

Posted By: SteamyTeathe science behind testing adhesives for longevity

What's the principle, seeing they can't actually test it over time? I'm prepared to be convinced, so let's hear the cautions too.

But, but ... the system you're proposing depends on adhesives in just the same way; certainly a different adhesive, but still an adhesive. So how can you possibly be confident about your system if you don't [yet] believe in the testing?