Page 3 - SureCav Design Handbook 2018

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Thank you for your interest in using
SureCav as the superior method for
constructing cavities with all types of Welcome to SureCav
masonry external finishes. from Charlie Ayers MD

THE SEARCH FOR BETTER WAY TO SHUTTER THE CAVITY
The idea for SureCav came in the winter of 2000 when I was building a large 3,500 sq ft. timber
frame bungalow with an outside skin of natural stone. To make a saving on the contract the
client had decided to forgo the use of a concrete backing-block and use timber shutters to
support the stonework.
With the timber-frame constructed, we moved on to site to begin the stone work, setting
timber shutters of plywood at a height of 450mm (wall-tie height). With shutters set around the
timber frame the masons started work. By this time it was late morning. By mid-afternoon the
450mm course had been built, no more stone could be laid and the shutters could not be struck
as the mortar was still not set, day over! Similarly, the next day, shutters were struck, ties fitted,
shutters reset and stonework continued. As this process continued I realised we were losing a
day in every three setting shutters. Another thing was that as the shutters were struck green
mortar was falling into and contaminating the cavity and more time was wasted cleaning this
up. There had to be an easier way to do this!

THE SOLUTION - A VERSATILE CAVITY SPACER SYSTEM
SureCav was dreamt-up in my kitchen and started off as soft-drink bottle-necks stuck to a piece
of cardboard. After many weeks of thinking ‘do I do this or not!’ I found a plastics manufacturer
who made several design prototypes that I had in mind. We finally came up with the shape of
the SureCav pod, which sends moisture to the outside of the wall protecting the cavity from
moisture and mortar contamination. The ‘Wall of Plastic’ came into existence!
Originally vacuum formed, SureCav is now made by injection moulding from 100% re-cycled
polypropylene. SureCav50, forming a 50mm cavity has been used successfully throughout the
country since 2004 when we first got our BBA Certificate 04/4154.
We have now introduced SureCav25 forming a 25mm cavity, built to the high standards of
SureCav50 with the same specification. SureCav25 makes more room for insulation in the cavity
and is the key to achieving lower U-Values whilst guaranteeing a clean moisture and mortar
free cavity in all exposure zones. Check the details in this handbook and see for yourself why
the SureCav spacer system is the ‘Sure way forward’ to improved building quality!
As I always say, “It’s not just because I designed SureCav that I am selling the system. After all, if
someone else had designed it, I would buy it…
Well I would - because it works!”

NHBC
Accepted product