INSULATION
EXPERT INSULATION SUPPORT BMJ talks to Celotex’s technical team to understand how it helps customers make confident product choices.
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reating buildings designed for reliable thermal efficiency isn’t simply about material selection. It demands precise understanding of how insulation
integrates with the entire building fabric. That’s where Celotex’s Technical Team comes in, drawing on decades of combined experience to offer reliable technical insulation support for different stages of the construction process. The acquisition of Celotex by SOPREMA has further strengthened this technical insulation expertise, integrating the knowledge and resources of both teams.
Heading up the team are Mike Vaczi, Technical Director at SOPREMA, and Team Leader, David Milner. Both have followed different routes to end up at Celotex Vaczi’s experience is built from the ground up. Starting out as a site hand in the roofing and waterproofing industry, he worked his way through an apprenticeship before leading teams across the South of England. “For years, I was on-site every day, making sure installations were done to a high standard, whether in schools, colleges or local authority buildings. That hands-on experience now means I understand exactly what installers need to get the job done right.” Now technical director, he navigates everything from site training to technical management, overseeing rigorous product testing and certification, ensuring every product meets strict regulatory standards and performs reliably in real-world applications.
The appeal, he says, lies in ensuring insulation performs not just in theory but in real-world applications. “You can talk about a product all day,” he says, “but in the real world, it’s about how installers perceive it, how they use it, and whether it performs as expected.” His responsibilities also span multiple brands and manufacturing sites, looking at everything from initial product testing to on-site installation guidance. He says: “It starts with how the product is made, tested and verified to be fit for purpose before it even reaches the market.” And then there’s the fact that U-values need to be worked out correctly, ensuring everything the Celotex team communicates aligns with Part L and Building Regulations. “We have a role to play helping installers get it right on-site too, following our recommendations as the manufacturer. For us at Celotex and SOPREMA, it’s very, very important that the correct information we put out is must be unambiguous. We’re not just giving them a
“Our sales team identifies installation challenges, then we work out solutions. With the stepped cavity tray detail, we ended up creating new CAD drawings and updating our specification guide for thermaclass. That way, when one builder faces an issue, everyone benefits from the solution.”
Above: Mike Vaczi, Technical Director at SOPREMA (L) and Team Leader, David Milner (R)
product. We’re making sure they understand how it fits into the whole system. That means advising on everything from correct installation to condensation risk, so moisture issues are avoided down the line,” he says. When you’re guiding specifiers through complex insulation decisions, you need someone who understands precision. Team Leader, David Milner has a background in geophysics and petroleum engineering. “My undergraduate degree was geophysics then I did a Masters in Petroleum Engineering.”
What appealed to him about the construction industry is the fact that it’s about helping create better buildings. “Whether that’s through our PIR boards in a timber frame wall or our XPS products in a basement application, every project is an opportunity to improve building performance,” he says.
There’s no such thing as a typical day in the life of the technical team, he adds. “We could be reviewing BBA documentation for our PIR boards one day, then by lunchtime we might be helping a house builder solve a tricky cavity tray detail. Then in the afternoon, I could be training our sales team on the key differences between PIR versus XPS in below-ground applications.” Sometimes, technical support means the team getting their boots dirty. For example, when housebuilders were asking for a solution to avoid moisture ingress at stepped cavity trays without sacrificing thermal performance, the team reached out to Visqueen, to collaborate and develop a solution.
May 2025
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Technical expertise is crucial when it comes to retrofit projects. The UK’s existing building stock presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to improving thermal performance without creating condensation issues. “This is where our range of both PIR and XPS products really comes into its own,” he explains. “Different situations demand different solutions. Sometimes you need the high thermal performance of PIR boards, other times the moisture resistance of XPS might be important. Particularly in below-ground applications.” To help with this, the team is developing guidance through the Celotex Guide to Retrofit, which will explain exactly where and how to use different insulation types effectively. As Vaczi explains: “The information we put out must be unambiguous and align with Building Regulations. From how a product is installed on- site, to ensuring it meets compliance, every detail matters.”
Looking further ahead, Milner sees the UK construction industry moving away from traditional cavity walls. “We’re heading towards thinner, more airtight structures with mechanical ventilation systems,” he explains. “That’s why we need to think about buildings as complete systems. A wall specification isn’t just about the wall anymore. It’s about how that wall works with every other element. Does it support the ventilation strategy? How does it impact airtightness? How can we reduce thermal bridging? These are the questions we need to answer now.”
Sustainability is another key driver shaping the future of insulation, according to Vaczi. “The carbon footprint of insulation is going to be at the forefront in years to come,” he says. “It’s not just about how a product performs during its lifetime, but also how it’s made. Exploring alternative raw materials is a key focus. For us at Celotex and SOPREMA, it’s absolutely vital that the information we put out is unambiguous and correct. It has to be right from the start. How the product is made, how it’s tested, and how it’s installed on-site. All elements must be meticulously accounted for.” BMJ
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