Windposts are an invaluable product in the construction industry, but do you know exactly what a windpost is, or what a windpost is used for? Read on to learn all about windposts, including the different types, the benefits, and where they are used.
What is a Windpost?
Windposts are a structural product that is used in construction to improve the stability of structures. It helps in the construction of masonry walls and increases lateral stability, which offers protection against movement from forces such as wind, crowds or handrail loads.
Their design involved spanning between vertical flooring to provide support to any brick panel system. Windposts can be installed to the inner leaf of brickwork or into the cavity leaving the brickwork intact and undisturbed. They are designed to suit specific applications and are complete with end connection ties.
Usually constructed by mild steel and supported at the head and foot of a steelwork section forming the structural frame of the building.
In cavity walls, the windposts will typically be fixed to the inner and outer leaves of the wall by special fixtures and fastenings along the length. An engineer will calculate the spacing of a windpost along the walls of a building to suit the correct loading requirements.
Connections & Wall Ties
Windposts are supplied and designed with base and upper connections and fixings. They also come supplied with wall ties of a suitable amount which will vary in relation to the type of post used and also the cavity width. There are five types:
U Tie
For the uses with U & DU Windposts.
L50
Tie for the use with LP Windposts
L75 Tie
For the use with LP Windposts
L100 Tie
For use with LP Windposts
L Shear Tie
For the use with LP Windposts
Benefits of Windposts
We have collected some information on the benefits of a windpost and why they offer several advantages to wall construction. The question as to why we might use windposts is answered here in the benefits, so read below for more.
Cost
A windpost is usually a cheaper option than reinforced concrete columns and they also take up less time to install and construct as well. This reduces dependence on reinforced concrete.
Strength
Windposts give strength, stability and support where there is a lot of cladding – and protect a structure from the elements and any force, including high winds and weight from handrails. They are necessary in the construction industry.
Improves Insulation
Windposts improve thermal insulation quality in lightweight walls, which increases a building’s energy efficiency and will overall save you money.
Where Windposts are Used?
Windposts are used to support large or complex panels in construction, which traditionally would be more difficult to support structurally and would be supported by increasing the thickness of the wall or introducing an additional column – however, this would not be possible for all projects.
Due to some difficulty in supporting complex or large panels of construction, this is where windposts are the answer. They provide additional load-bearing capacity without increasing the thickness of the wall, which is great news for the construction industry. Check out our Astra Windposts fabrication page here.