Specifying FOAMGLAS® Building insulation for durability and peace of mind
Between June 2016 and August 2017, the FIW (research and testing institute for thermal insulation) based in Munich tested the long-term behaviour of FOAMGLAS® insulation products within flat roof constructions. All roofs were in a good condition and maintained by the building owner. In each case the FOAMGLAS® insulation was found to have retained its performance characteristics.
Analysis of FOAMGLAS® samples
by FIW
Samples were taken from roofs across Europe:
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The 29-year-old roof of a care home in Burcot, United Kingdom.
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The 32-year-old roof of the Bavaria Brewery in Lieshout, the Netherlands.
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The 40-year-old roof of the administrative building of Belfius Bank in Hasselt, Belgium.
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The 45-year-old roof of the hospital in Kristianstad, Sweden.
The samples were taken in the presence of a qualified third party, and analysed in the FIW laboratories using current European standard testing methods for three performance properties:
- Thermal conductivity / lambda value (both at the time the sample was taken, and after drying).
- Compressive strength.
- Moisture content.
All test results were compared with the FOAMGLAS® insulation characteristics; from the date when the roofs were originally constructed.
The conclusions of the FIW were unequivocal: no ageing effects were evident, either in terms of a loss of thermal performance or lower compressive strength. After nearly half a century in situ, FOAMGLAS® roof insulation demonstrated the same performance properties as the day it was originally installed.
Conclusions of FIW
about FOAMGLAS® insulation
The conclusions of the FIW were unequivocal: no ageing effects were evident, either in terms of a loss of thermal performance or lower compressive strength.
After nearly half a century in situ, FOAMGLAS® roof insulation demonstrated the same performance properties as the day it was originally installed.
Long-term benefits of using FOAMGLAS® insulation
within a flat roof
FOAMGLAS® insulation is an excellent long-term investment. After several decades it maintains its properties and delivers the same thermal performance as it did when the building was first completed. The roof energy efficiency is constant, therefore building energy costs are minimized.
Roof maintenance is kept to a minimum, as there is no need to replace the FOAMGLAS® insulation - after 20 or 30 years a new roof waterproofing may be needed, it can be removed, and a new waterproofing system is installed over the original insulation.
