Airtightness guaranteed thanks to quality sealing

Founded in 1985, the company has grown into a well-known player in the market for fasteners and sealing products. Multifast from Heerhugowaard is a specialist in the field of fasteners and related articles. We speak with Ard Bols of Multifast. "Seven years ago, I personally started looking into airtight construction and looked for partners who could provide us with sealing materials. That's how Belgaplastics came into our picture. Practice soon showed that their products worked best and so Belgaclima became the regular brand here at home," Ard opens the conversation.

From the drawing board to the scaffold

Multifast's service goes beyond supplying sealants. "Customers get the right advice from us, to begin with. We look along from the drawing board. We can therefore provide the customer with advice within the entire construction column, taking into account the products, the building, the suppliers and the contractor," Ard explains. "That concept works, people trust our expertise. We can monitor all aspects of a project for the client, to meet the required airtightness class."

Passing the blower door test with flying colors

Subcontractors and suppliers who are involved in the project and affect air sealing are also reviewed by Multifast. "We go for a perfect end result. Passing the blower-door test with flying colors, that's the goal. The entire preliminary process, as well as guidance and inspections, are free of charge.    

The moment a product is deployed, we are present on site to applique the first meters, as an instruction to the contractor's staff. After that, they can proceed on their own. However, we continue to monitor how work is being done, even if we do the application ourselves for the contractor. Final inspections can also be performed by us. The blower door test is provided by a partner of ours, who provides an official report with results.

Having everything in place in advance prevents failure costs. "The importance of airtightness is usually secondary until problems arise. Then emergency measures have to be taken and the quality and lifespan of the airtightness and components in the building are compromised. Multifast is therefore transparent, open and flexible about everything. Our broad palette allows us to provide the best solution, where achieving the objective is always priority number one! Moreover, by sharing knowledge, we serve a much greater purpose."

Product in practice

We get to come along to a construction site where Multifast has supplied Belgaplastics products. We watch as Belgacoat Brush is applied with a brush. "In addition to the brush version, there is also a spray version. Belgacoat Brush makes the connection between the building frame and the structural frame. The connection of the structural frame to the plastic frame is sealed with Belgaseal600. This is already applied in the joinery factory. Both products provide a durable air seal from delivery until the building has to be demolished again," explains Ard.

"We strive to seal the project with as few products as possible. As in standard residential construction with Belgacoat, for example. The air sealing is sublime, of passive house quality. The prerequisite, of course, is that the product is applied correctly, but that goes without saying. In the end, by now nothing is a challenge for us anymore." 

Ard names a project where Belgacoat Brush and Belgaseal600 are also currently being used, "We are talking about a project with 63 rental homes in Aalsmeer. Air tightness is not the only requirement there; soundproofing also plays a role. After all, Aalsmeer is adjacent to Schiphol Airport. So draught, moisture and soundproofing go hand in hand there." 

In conclusion, Ard says, "Belgaplastics is a top partner that really listens to our customers' needs. They are innovative and continually come up with new products or upgrades to existing products. It's 'you ask, we turn' there."