Five different types of DPC (and what Multifix stocks)
Damp-proof course membrane, also called DPC, is very important for people who work in brickwork.
Ultimately, it prevents dampness and stops moisture from rising through and without it, the structural integrity of a building is at risk.
We care about your building’s safety, so we’re proud to sell Visqueen DPC, which is known as the best in the industry. We have five different types to choose from and each one has something unique to offer.
However, having five types can be confusing. If we’re asked on the phone “Can I have some DPC?”, we naturally follow that up with “What type?” and in some instances, you’re not fully sure.
As such, we have put this article together to go through the five core types of DPC, which are the five that we stock.
Come to the end of the article, you’ll know exactly what we can offer and what that type of DPC can do for you.
1. Standard DPC
Ideal for small extensions or for garden walls, polythene DPC – or standard DPC – requires little maintenance and is water resistant.
It is also highly durable, in that it has a very high resistance when it comes to degradation. If installed properly, you won’t have to worry about dampness impacting the property.
It does have limitations in that it isn’t ideal for houses, but for smaller projects, such as an extension or a conservatory, it’s a go-to product.
Multifix stocks polythene DPC from Visqueen in a number of different measurements, all of which come in a 30-metre roll.
The measurements that we stock are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 300mm, 450mm and 600mm, which will all cover a wide range of smaller projects.
2. House grade DPC
If you are working on a bigger project, then house-grade DPC is likely to be right for you, as it can be used for all residential housing projects.
House-grade DPC is also very handy if you need something for sleeper walls that lie underneath a ground-floor construction. A perfect example of this would be a beam and block floor system.
Our DPC range for house grade isn’t quite as big as it is for polythene DPC, but we still have three options for you to choose from. These are either 100mm, 450mm or 600mm, with all three options coming in a 20-metre roll.
The pricing for this type varies slightly, too. The 100mm costs £9.54, the 450mm costs £42.91 and the 600mm costs £57.21. List prices shown are ex. VAT.
You can see our house grade range here.
3. High-performance DPC (Zedex)
The industry standard itself, the high-performance DPC from Visqueen, which is also referred to as Zedex, is what you’re likely to be working with.
Much like the house grade, it can be used on all residential housing projects, but there are a few things that make it stand out.
The biggest difference between Zedex and house-grade is that ZX is radon gas-resistant, achieving a BBA 94/3059 rating.
It can also be used with Visqueen radon membranes to further protect from gas, but it’s part of the Visqueen Low Permeability Gas Membrane system.
This means that it has been proven to offer gas protection to NHBC Amber 1 requirements. In addition, it’s also extremely tear-resistant and very strong.
Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, it can be used for masonry applications. This includes commercial buildings up to and including three-storey buildings.
It can also be used to construct a cavity tray in cavity wall construction. You can read our summary of the November 2022 NHBC Technical Guidance here.
There are five different sizes of Zedex DPC that we stock, which are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 450mm and 600mm. Much like the house grade, it comes in a 20-metre roll.
You can see the full Zedex DPC range here.
4. High-bond DPC
Much like the Zedex DPC, high bond can be used for a number of masonry applications. These include residential and commercial up to and including three-storey buildings.
However, what makes the high-bond DPC stand out is the way it bonds with the mortar. The mortar bonding is at its best with high-bond DPC, which is good for several reasons.
The better the bond with the mortar, the better the waterproofing, the better the durability and the better the structural integrity.
As such, high bond DPC has a lot of purpose and is very popular for good reason. We do list high bond DPC, however as it’s rather unique, it’s something you’d have to call up for to arrange a purchase.
5. Non-combustible DPC
Lastly, if you need a type of DPC that will help you reach A2 fire classification, then Visqueen’s non-combustible DPC is your answer.
It is designed for use for cavity wall construction and it can be applied in residential, commercial and multi-storey buildings.
This also includes structural framing and is the most premium type of DPC that Visqueen offer. This is because of its non-combustible nature, as fire-preventing DPC is of high value.
Much like the high-bond DPC, we do list it, but it’s not something you can buy from the website. If you are looking to purchase, you’ll need to do so by phone.
Visqueen DPC to cover all grounds
The main reason for putting this article together was to show you exactly what kind of DPC that we can provide you with.
Whether it’s a conservatory or a three-storey building, we have a type of Visqueen DPC that can help you with your project.
We can help you if you’re in a hurry too, as we offer next-day delivery on our DPC range, just so long as you order before 4pm.
To find out more, whether it’s about pricing or other DPC-related questions, you can get in touch with us and our expert teams here. In any case though, it’s important that your brickwork supplier has what it takes to meet your needs. Find out what two things you need to look for in a brickwork supplier here.