Foamglas has been producing insulation material based on recycled glass for years, in which 60% recycled compound is processed. This is a thermal insulation that is mainly used on roofs, but also for underground walls and interior insulation. “Especially the more sophisticated construction projects appeal to Foamglas. Industrial buildings, government buildings, universities, hospitals… Projects where the requirements regarding sustainability, lifespan and maintenance are high,” says Frank Vanhove of Foamglas.
All requirements checked
To encourage the use of roofs, Foamglas is now launching the ‘active roofs’ campaign. “The demand for active roofs is increasing because urban planning requirements are tightening, we are urbanizing and temperature reduction, water retention and accumulation are demanded,” says Frank. “Foam glass provides an answer to this. The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness among both the professional and private public.”
Active roofs come in different shapes. Intensive green roofs, sports fields, parking roofs, water retention roofs, solar roofs… Foamglas succeeds in meeting the intended requirements for all these versions: compressive strength, watertightness and non-combustibility. “For example, insurance companies no longer want to see combustible insulation with a solar panel roof. Our A1 rating proves that Foamglas is flammable. In addition, the insulation must still be sufficiently compressive to allow the structures and techniques to be placed on it. Foamglas successfully answers that too.”
Advice provider on active roofs
Foamglas has many years of expertise in the production of insulation. But what is sometimes forgotten, Foamglas also provides advice on the complete installation of active roofs. “In collaboration with other companies, we look for solutions in function of market demand. For example, we are now testing water intent roofs on which we are building a parking roof.”
New BIM tool with system function
Together with the ‘active roofs’ campaign, Foamglas is launching its completely new BIM portal. There you can download all product and system data. “The user can also select based on systems. Do you want a flat roof on which you can park your cars? Via a number of parameters you can get to what you are looking for. Ultimately, you can import that data into Revit,” says Frank. “BIM in function of systems is important, because the user is no longer looking for a product, but for a solution.”
With the BIM portal, Foamglas is taking another step in the digitization project. Since September 7 you can consult the portal here. “Several well-known architectural firms have tested the model and responded enthusiastically. It is a fairly simple digitized model, which gives it a light character and is very user-friendly,” concludes Frank.