The direction in which the construction market will be heading in 2022 according to a Thermaflex expert.
Forced to spend more time within four walls, we have begun to pay significant attention to whether our homes meet all requirements in terms of functionality, energy efficiency and ecology. How has designers' and builders' awareness of sustainable construction changed? Will the current threats facing the industry entail changes in the direction the construction market is headed in 2022? Cezary Naliwajek, Sales & Marketing Manager Insulation Europe at Thermaflex, talks about this.
I don't think anyone believes anymore that pandemic and periods of partial, forced isolation will not also accompany us in 2022. What other risks - besides lockdown - does 2022 bring? According to Cezary Naliwajek, Sales & Marketing Manager Insulation Europe at Thermaflex:
"Galloping raw material prices and demand are unfortunately translating into product availability. In addition to raw material shortages, we also face limited human resources in the market. Also, the energy transition poses a lot of challenges - especially the production of building materials is very energy-intensive, and energy costs directly affect the cost of products and the profitability of companies. High inflation is also not helping to stabilize market prices, and lower credit availability may affect the amount of investment in the housing sector."
Despite these unfavorable conditions, Thermaflex anticipates further sales increases in 2022, viewing the challenges facing the construction industry as opportunities:
"Due to rising energy costs, investors will be inclined to care more about the quality and type of insulation they choose, which was previously not such a key aspect in the context of making different types of investments. The right decisions in this regard will result in better energy efficiency of installations and long-term savings. As a result, more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions are promoted, which significantly reduce the risk of energy losses."
- says Cezary Naliwajek, Sales & Marketing Manager Insulation Europe at Thermaflex.
Construction market in 2022.
© THERMAFLEX
Construction in 2022 increasingly green
Having been locked in our homes for almost two years, we noticed some deficiencies or construction errors that began to bother us. We started looking for better solutions in terms of both functionality, energy efficiency and ecology, while following the changes that came into effect on January 1, 2021. As Cezary Naliwajek of Thermaflex puts it:
"These regulations are a continuation of the transposition of EU regulations into our own, national ones. The changes are primarily intended to make buildings consume less energy and thus be more environmentally friendly. They are also to assume that construction, expansion or modernization of buildings will have to use building materials with a better heat transfer coefficient than before - and in the case of insulation, materials with a better Lambda thermal conductivity coefficient. Under current regulations, since last year the responsibility for choosing the right materials has fallen on investors and designers. They will have to carefully inspect the products to be used when renovating or building a house. The result of the changes is expected to be a pro-environmental approach to construction and the construction of exclusively energy-efficient buildings. Will investors gain in 2022 from such a solution? It's hard to say, because these changes will probably cause construction, renovation or modernization to consume more financial resources, while the operating costs of these facilities will probably be lower due to the use of better materials and the implementation of technologies based on renewable energy sources."
- says an expert from Thermaflex.
Given the legal changes and technological advances evident among manufacturers of construction solutions, the main focus when choosing insulation materials will be on the quality of products, and green construction will become a certain norm, not just a selective and short-term trend.
Construction market in 2022.
© THERMAFLEX
What solutions for good building?
Sustainable construction is based on modern product solutions.
It is important that the materials have the appropriate certifications or declarations that prove that they can be used in modern construction. For example, an EPD declaration, which details a product's environmental impact and confirms that the products are recyclable. Any product that wants to receive an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) must be fully observed throughout its life cycle.
As Cezary Naliwajek of Thermaflex puts it:
"An example of such a modern insulation solution is polyolefin foam, which provides high-quality insulation and is fully recyclable. The laggings and mats made from such foam are characterized by a very good lambda thermal conductivity coefficient and a closed cell structure. In addition, they are certified Cradle to Cradle Bronze, or "cradle (again) to cradle." This means that they can be recycled and turned back for re-manufacturing at any time, without losing their existing properties and reducing construction waste, thus fitting in with the principles of a closed-loop economy."
In the case of single-family buildings, the best solution will be to use insulations that will provide us with long-lasting use. Such insulations should keep their properties and technical parameters unchanged despite the passage of years, which guarantees us, on the one hand, energy savings and, on the other hand, does not generate costs associated with renovation or replacement.
Modern insulation products should also be safe, that is, have a reaction to fire class of at least B, guarantee effective protection against thermal energy losses and provide a barrier against condensation. On this basis, it is possible to create a healthy space. Modern construction, which is expected to become zero-energy, self-sufficient or passive in the future, will be based on solutions that offer the highest quality and advanced technology.
Good insulation, therefore, is one that is efficient over its lifetime, keeps heat loss to a minimum and provides protection against condensation. The insulation of any system - whether for heating, sanitation, refrigeration or ventilation - should be able to withstand possible damage and operation under various conditions. Insulation must be of the right flammability class, guarantee maximum thermal protection, as well as a barrier against condensation, and ideally meet the requirements of green building. An example of such a solution is ThermaSmart PRO from Thermaflex, which fully complies with current regulations on fire protection of buildings, as well as thermal insulation requirements. Thermaflex's flagship solution effectively reduces heat loss, protects pipelines from damage and provides fire resistance - and as a result provides high energy efficiency, increasing the performance of the installation over its lifetime.
For more information, visit the company 'sThermaflex Izolacji Sp. z o. o. page on theAiB portal.
