As an insulation supplier to the construction market, Thermal Economics recognises the need for technical knowledge and support that goes beyond the applications of our thermal and acoustic insulation products. It is because of our strong conviction in delivering an informative and reliable technical service that we were very interested in reading Parts 1 & 2 of Insulate Magazine’s debate on when is an insulation manufacturer not an insulation manufacturer which raised some interesting and very valid points.
Demonstrating the Performance of our Insulation Products
An insulation manufacturer is always an insulation manufacturer, but our role to the design team is much more when it comes to the specification of our products and how they best fit in the overall build.
Our raison d’être is to manufacture and sell cost-effective insulation products for the construction industry. We are committed to developing innovative solutions to the ever-increasing performance standards of the Building Regulations, but the reason why the UK’s biggest housebuilders specify our products such as Alreflex Platinum cavity wall insulation, isn’t just because of significant cost savings over PUR / PIR boards; it’s because we can provide in-depth technical advice on all aspects of building energy-efficient homes, just like we did for Positive Homes. This is the balance that we believe suppliers to the construction market should provide.
Meeting Thermal Insulation Building Regulations & more
Designers can sometimes begin setting performance constraints that although are not impossible to achieve, can restrict the selection of products to the most expensive options on the market. For example, it is a common misconception that walls must have a maximum U‑value of 0.18 W∙m‑2∙K‑1; this is not stated anywhere in Part L or in the approved document. This is perpetuated by those who believe that the only purpose of thermal insulation is to reduce heat loss, and consequently aren’t focused enough on saving their clients’ money as well as meeting Building Regulations. However, there is much more that can be considered to support an efficient build.
Whilst we recognise that the primary purpose of thermal insulation is to reduce the fuel consumption of the house (which reduces energy bills for the tenant / homeowner), and insulation does this by limiting the heat loss through the building envelope. Deciding on a target U‑value should be influenced by the energy efficiency of the heating system, the effect of solar heat gains, and the effects from the thermal mass of the interior finishes. This is all included in the SAP calculations for the on-construction energy assessment and during this phase, other parameters/requirements can be considered.
Then, when it comes to installing the products, providing a brief explanation over the phone to the manufacturer of how the product has been installed on site is rarely enough to assess the correct installation of their product. Whilst it is the building inspector’s responsibility to approve installation and whether the work complies with the Building Regulations, insulation suppliers should help builders ensure products are installed correctly before the inspector assesses the work, so that the approval process goes smoothly and doesn’t hinder the overall build.
Insulation Help for Building Projects
The technical department at Thermal Economics has a dedicated team to provide informed guidance on any building design to make sure the design complies with the Building Regulations and other current voluntary standards. Correct installation of insulation products is vital to meet the approved design; one of the ways that we help builders is through our easy-to-read installation guides that explain correct installation along with detailed diagrams supporting the guidance. Additional support is also supplied through our site visits to provide free installation training to construction managers and tradesmen. By providing support from concept to completion and getting involved during all aspects of the build (from identifying client needs; providing innovative solutions; assist in sourcing our products; to ensuring correct installation), we make sure that our products meet building regulations and the builders’ needs.
We can help fine-tune a design to ensure you meet regulations whilst prevent costly over-specification. Support includes SAP calculations, U‑values, thermal bridging and condensation risk assessments.
If you would like to speak to our Technical team, please call our direct line on 01582 544255, click here to email us or go onto our website for our live chat portal (button pops up on the right side of the website).