Product solutions and advice for reduced energy consumption and improved indoor climate

Sharing knowledge with processor and wholesaler

Airtight construction has for years been the solution to meet increasingly stringent energy standards. But the comfort and health of the user must also be considered. At Soudal, renowned manufacturer of quality products in the field of insulation and sealing, we are looking at making building details optimally airtight with Soudal Flexifoam PUR foam, Soudatight membranes, Soudaband joint sealing tapes, SWS Inside Extra window sealant or HMX sealant. 

This involves thinking and acting on the basis of BENG and WKB. However, Soudal goes a step further and also supports the processor and wholesaler with advice on what they call "air-controlled construction," which is based on controlling and regulating the air flows in an entire building.

Airtight and air-controlled construction

Airtight construction means making all detailed connections in a building optimally airtight. But the more airtight the building envelope, the greater the risk of mold and poor air quality if adequate ventilation is not provided. This is precisely why at Soudal they prefer to speak of air-controlled construction, taking into account controlled air flows in a building. In this regard, BENG and the Quality Assurance Act (WKB) are the starting point for being able to supply products in accordance with legal requirements. 

"Not so long ago, the focus was mainly on the energy performance coefficient. If one did not reach the set value in one particular part of the regulations, one could still compensate at another level," says Bob Corton, business development manager for the Netherlands at Soudal. 

"With the BENG calculations, however, this no longer works and one has to think carefully in advance, what is needed to achieve the values. Projects consist of 80 to 85 % of standard details, such as timber frame, roofs, windows and partitions. The remaining 20 to 15 % are unique to each project. It comes down to making the right choices every time."

Product solutions to build air-controlled

Unwanted air steams must be limited to avoid drafts and meet the BENG requirement in terms of energy consumption, but also to avoid condensation in the structure. In passive construction, air sealing at the detail level must be even 100 %. Soudal offers practical solutions, which may or may not be combined to ensure sustainable air sealing of detail connections on the warm side of the building: PUR foam, membranes, joint sealing tapes and sealants. 

"PUR foam, such as Soudal Flexifoam, is applied in a gap. Often the joint flanks are contaminated, so one cannot be sure that the foam adheres well everywhere. This is why an additional air seal with a flexible membrane from the Soudatight family offers additional security here, because this way you have a vapor retarding membrane on the inside and a vapor open version on the outside," explains the business development manager. 

"One can also work with a Soudaband joint sealing tape, which is impact rainproof and offers good thermal and acoustic insulation. SWS Inside Extra is an airtight, vapor retardant window joint sealing film with a self-adhesive strip for fastening on the window side and a full-surface self-adhesive adhesive layer for fastening to the shell. For sealing, in turn, we use HMX sealant, which combines the deformation and elasticity of silicone with the easy application and paintability of acrylic."

Advise the processor and wholesaler

Through years of experience, Soudal has become an authority on air sealing. When involved in a project at the design stage, they can make calculations and advise on exactly what is needed to achieve the values. 

"So we go a step further than just supplying products and support the processor with independent advice with the help of affiliated agencies, for which we have SKG-IKOB certification. After all, sometimes people pay less attention to air-controlled construction or simply think about it far too late. Thanks to our infiltration calculation, a contractor can estimate exactly whether he will build sufficiently airtight," Bob Corton concludes. 

"We also provide the necessary support for wholesalers with customized training courses as well as seminars and webinars on airtight construction. With toolboxes we inform end users about the properties and applications of the various products. Finally, we work with external partners, such as WKB-bouwborgers, Passief Bouwen Nederland and the Passive House Foundation to inform professionals about the BENG standardization and developments in the field of passive construction."