VIEWPOINT LINTELS AND THE TRUE COST OF
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE Ciarán McAliskey, National Specification Manager (Ireland) for Keystone Lintels looks at the true cost of materials and why it is essential we compare like-for-like
ALL TOO OFTEN materials are selected based on their cost or substituted for a cheaper alternative to ensure that a project is delivered on budget. The ‘race to the bottom’ – cheapest price wins – is not a recipe for success. Many products offer savings in terms of thermal performance but typically these products are more expensive. However, the savings they offer over the lifetime of a building outweigh their initial purchase cost. and take into consideration the long-term performance to understand true value.
With more stringent regulations in terms of the performance of our buildings having come into force as part of the Future Homes Standard, it is essential that we understand the true value of products and this means looking at their cost in operation, not just cost to purchase. Whole life performance factors are critical, as they will have an impact on cost. This, therefore, places an emphasis on the importance of choosing the right materials going into that building envelope in order to keep those costs down. Simply by improving the building envelope at an early stage it will create cost savings on the lifetime of the build and lead to more sustainable outcomes.
When it comes to new build homes needing to cut carbon emissions by 31% as an interim Building Regulations Part L uplift and a further 75-80% by 2025, we should be fully committed to adopting sustainable design and installation methods to help deliver better performing buildings for the long term. From the outset, there needs to be a greater emphasis on the design of a building’s envelope in order to meet decarbonisation targets efficiently. To do this, we must use the best and most suitable materials to create an energy efficient, high performance building fabric. Achieving good fabric efficiency in both new build and existing homes also means designing out thermal bridging as much as possible, as this can be responsible for up to 30% of a home’s heat loss.
For example, Keystone’s Hi- therm+ lintel can help designers achieve the remainder of the uplift not covered by renewables. It has set new standards for thermal efficiency in steel lintels, incorporates an innovative thermal break and is up to five times more thermally efficient than a standard lintel.
Unlike a two-part lintel solution, Hi-therm+ offers the simplicity of a one-piece, structurally superior
With more stringent regulations in terms of the
performance of our buildings having come into force as part of the Future Homes Standard.”
top hat design, creating stability during the building process. Hi- therm+ Lintels are also available in the same lengths, sizes and loading capacities as the standard range of lintels. If we use more product innovations such as this it will help us meet governments targets.
Changing habits A lot of this is down to changing habits and one habit is the issue of cost. The practice of lowest price wins is to the detriment of the quality of the finished building. In many cases cost can all too easily be misinterpreted. Many products can’t be compared like-for-like; you need to understand their long term performance and whilst a product
18
may be more expensive to purchase or install, if it offers long term gains, then it could work out cheaper. The Hi-therm+ lintel is a highly cost-effective option if it’s factored in at the design stage, especially when compared to expensive bolt-on renewable mechanical and electrical building services which are considered later in the design process. The Hi-therm+ lintel has made a significant impact on the thermal efficiency of homes and is specified on many projects around the UK due to its improved performance in lowering carbon emissions within SAP. To meet the changing regulations head-on, cost-effective products such as this are an important consideration. With regulations getting tighter and tighter, fabric- first materials are moving with the times.
There is a strong argument that focusing on the fabric of a building is the most cost-effective, reliable and robust method of achieving compliance with future building regulations. The path to zero carbon won’t be easy but with careful thought and by getting the fabric right, we will save energy throughout the whole lifespan of the house and this ultimately makes good business sense.. BMJl
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70
