Enhanced thermal insulation – technology and design from one manufacturer

Thermal insulation is a great solution to reduce energy consumption by preventing heat gain or loss through the building envelope. By incorporating thermal insulation the energy generated inside the building will be maintained thus the thermal comfort increases. Damaged or inadequate insulation can lead to mould and rotting that does not only impact the building structure but is also harmful for health.

The bathroom is a predominantly humid environment with lots of condensation; therefore the issue of heat insulation coupled with waterproofness should be given special attention when discussing the creation of thermal barrier in both renovation and new build projects.

wedi is well known in the architectural community for its precision engineered, versatile system solutions for wet areas. Being the first of its kind in the construction industry, the wedi building board with its blue XPS core, still leads the way as an all-round tile backer with superior quality.

Its 36 years pedigree, guaranteed 100 per cent water tightness and thermal insulation value of 0.036 W/mK² together with its decoupling effect and 133kgs vertical load capability provides unrivalled system security.

As the core material of wedi’s pre-formed shower elements, shower seats, niches, partition walls and all other directly tileable elements, the wedi building board is the base of the wedi system.

In 2020 wedi’s newest building board, the Vapor 85 is introduced to the market. It is a panel type sealing system: a building board with a pre-integrated vapour membrane barrier applied in the factory, providing an SD value of 85. Perfect for challenging applications in areas with high levels of humidity such as in wet rooms that are constantly under a heavy strain, in wellness areas such as steam rooms or as an interior lining of swimming pool halls. Thanks to its excellent thermal insulation properties (same as) it prevents heat loss, it can be directly tiled onto and its 100 per cent water tightness guarantees an all-round seal – the perfect solution for use in the construction of low-maintenance and energy efficient pool areas.

In recent years wedi became ‘visible’ for the end user. The wedi Top Line expanded quickly since its introduction and today there are a multitude of pre-formed design surfaces and large format wall surfaces available in five colours and two finishes. These design elements are the perfect alternative to traditional tiling; with their seamless nature and antibacterial surface they promote hygiene around the bathroom and thanks to their low heat conductivity they further enhance the thermal insulation properties of wedi elements. All pre-formed surfaces are a perfect match to the backing wedi elements with matching gradients. Fundo Top surfaces, designed for shower floors, are also slip resistant (PTV38-55/R11) and wheelchair accessible. However, they are not only functional but aesthetically pleasing too; whether homogenous pure white to match common sanitary ware, natural stone look in any of the four available shades or a mixture of those – they offer a timeless, modern look and a warm, natural feel.

wedi operates a sustainability management system, which provides quality and environmental management in accordance with international standards ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO50001. Its products are manufactured with 100 per cent renewable energy, the XPS core is produced with halogen-free co-propellants and foam waste is recycled then fed directly back into the production process. An independently verified and registered document, the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) confirms the aforementioned information as well as the environmental footprint of wedi products through their entire life-cycle.

Keeping clients’ interest at focus, wedi refuses to compromise on quality making its products all the more honest and authentic. Every element, individually as well as a part of the system, does what it is designed for and does it in a secure and safe way without placing unnecessary burden on the environment.