As we become increasingly aware of the importance of environmental issues, there is one area of our lives in which sustainability is now more crucial than ever – and that’s the construction of the buildings in which we live.
The planet-friendly approach is particularly pertinent to the construction industry because of its traditionally high consumption levels of both energy and materials. The construction industry accounts for an incredible 36% of worldwide energy usage, and 40% of CO2 emissions!
Sustainable construction methods include:
- Using renewable and recyclable materials
- Refurbishing rather than new build
- Reducing the embodied energy in building materials
- Reducing the energy consumption of the finished building
- Reducing on-site waste
- Protecting the natural habitats during and after the construction phase
Greener homes and a lower environmental impact is now sitting near the very top of our property priorities.
Sustainable building practices must be embedded into every aspect of the design process. The end user demands it – and so does the planet.
wedi meets the demand without making false promises. As a family owned brand, wedi knows all too well what it takes to be a pioneer. The company started in 1983 with just one tiler, Helmut Wedi wanting to make life easier for his fellow tradesmen and in the end, he revolutionised bathroom design.
Sustainability is not a new concept at wedi, it is in fact embedded into the core of the business, but the brand continues to explore new strategies to reduce and recycle.
wedi is already well known for its innovative solutions for showers and bathrooms but perhaps it is less known that wedi is and has been a certified EcoProfit operation for almost 17 years. The brand’s responsibility to people and nature is second to none in the construction industry and especially amongst XPS manufacturers.
Its environmental and quality management systems are certified in accordance with ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 respectively, whilst its commitment to sustainable handling of energy and resources has seen its energy management system recertified as ISO 50001 in 2018.
wedi’s precision engineered XPS solutions are not only eco-friendly, 100% waterproof to their core or have the best thermal (0.036 W/mK) and vertical loadbearing (133 kg/m2) properties amongst foam tile backers, but also, produce very little, non-hazardous dust when worked on and therefore also contribute to a healthier working environment on site.
The quality of the design and its sustainability have long term benefits – such as reduced environmental burden and building running costs, improvement of respiratory illnesses and better mental health in the long term.
In the wedi factory, XPS foam material gets recycled around the clock and fed back to the supply chain. Manufactured with at least 25% recycled foam material and 100% renewable/green energy, wedi building boards as well as wedi Fundo shower systems have their own Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) confirming their environmental footprint throughout their entire lifecycle, making sustainable bathroom construction all the more easier.
The good thing about wedi is that the brand offers so many individual product variants that it’s always possible to find a solution. Behind every product, there is mindfulness & craftsmanship – thanks to their modular design, perfectly coordinated wedi components allow for unlimited freedom in design whilst providing all-round protection against mould and fungi at substrate and now also at surface level.
In buildings, wellness is the new sustainability.
Where interiors are concerned, materials that connect us to the natural world are key in sustainable design. So it’s worth thinking about natural textures such as the new wedi Top Line with natural stone effect.
The line of seamless Top design surfaces comprises minimalism and environmental awareness – as groutless, ready-to-use design elements, they do not only provide a sleek, modern finish but are made of a unique mineral composite: a mixture of 50% resin and 50% stone powder derived of recycled materials – meaning that they can be fully recycled at the end of their life.
What makes the wedi Top Line stand out even further, is that these surfaces have a pleasantly warm feel representing underfoot comfort, and thermal insulation equipped with slip-resistance and antibacterial protection.
Energy-efficiency is a must for a future-proof home.
wedi elements are not only designed to prevent damage to the structure or protect against damp, mould and fungi but they also create an added value.
The wedi range is characterised by its products’ extremely light weight paired with straightforward and fast installation – cutting back on labour and time, and at the same time, offering unrivalled system security.
What’s more, thanks to the excellent thermal properties of wedi subconstruction elements, the end-user is provided with significant savings on energy bills in the long term. For example, wedi is 5 times more energy efficient than plasterboard.
As an innovation driver in the construction industry for bathrooms and wet rooms, the brand continues to develop its range and improve the products, while remaining true to the guiding principles that started its sustainable journey.
‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it’ – as our famous environmental leader, Robert Swan OBE said.
Would you like to meet us and see what is possible with wedi?
We will be exhibiting at the Offsite Expo 20-21st September in the Coventry Building Society Arena – get your tickets here.
TEASER: our very own Dr Daniel Meiners will be speaking about the advantages of wedi bathroom/wet room PODs and in particular of their relevance in sustainable building – do not miss it!
Time and date for your calendars: Offsite Expo 2022, MEP & POD seminar session, 21st of September 10.30am – 11.50am.
Alternatively, please call 0161 864 2336, email enquiries(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)wedi.co.uk or visit our website www.wedi.net/uk.