An expansion joint is a purposefully created slit in a building or structure, the task of which is to allow individual components of the structure to work independently of the rest. Separate components, and their parts, transfer loads, deformations and movements by themselves.
Appropriate selection of an expansion profile used to cover and protect the expansion slit in buildings is not only a component of aesthetic finishing, but it is also supposed to allow the structure to work under the influence of temperature changes, component part contractions or differences in setting between the individual structure parts.
The selection of an appropriate expansion slit profile is thus of decisive importance to their proper operation.
Movement with respect to each other and the width of an expansion joint are determined in the design phase. An important factor in this area is the designing entity that will decide on the choice of an appropriate expansion profile system. The contractor in turn should adhere to the indications and instructions of the manufacturer of the expansion joint construction system.

Wall and ceiling expansion profiles do not have to fulfil such high requirements as do floor profiles. However, damage may also emerge in this case after the profile is installed. This damage are a direct result of the wrong profile being chosen, as well as a result of unprofessional installation. An exception may be the installation of profiles on outside building wall surfaces. In such a case, wind pressure on the profiles has to be factored in.

During profile selection, the following decisive criteria should be taken into account:
a) horizontal shift,
b) vertical shift,
c) expansion slit width,
d) height of installation of the profile in the structure,
e) visible profile part,
f) other materials, with which the profile will be in contact,
g) protection against intrusions of water and humidity,

The selection of wall and ceiling profiles also necessitates considering factors such as:

•     expansion slit edge finishing precision,
•     type of material, from which the site structure is manufactured,
•     installation of the profile in the expansion slit or outside of it,
•     course of the expansion slit and its width,
•     type of finished surfaces,   
•     use in areas, where mining damage and earthquakes are present,
•     providing the interior with a particular aesthetic appearance,
•     places of use, i. e. structures with high hygienic and sanitary requirements (hospitals, schools, etc.),
•     type of material, from which the profile is made: synthetic material, aluminium, inlay type,
•     use inside or outside of the structure,
•     use inside spaces under threat of aggressive media.

    The workload and costs related to repairs are incomparably high against the value of earlier proper profile choice and installation. That is why, proper selection of Deflex profile structures is so important.


An appropriately selected profile will provide a site with particular aesthetic values.

    This catalogue should be helpful material for the purpose of design of expansion slit execution and for the choice of appropriate profiles.
In case any doubts would persist, please contact our technical advisors. We are convinced that we able to provide optimum solutions even for the most uncommon situations.

In case of queries concerning the choice of expansion profile, please indicate:

•     sexpansion slit width,
•     expansion slit movement compensation,
•     structure profile installation height,
•     point of installation.

The table below presents the most important characteristics of expansion profiles from Deflex, simplifying the initial selection of a proper solution.