As the rate of urbanisation rises all around us, we become increasingly aware of the importance of environmental issues – and especially the implementation of sustainability into our every-day lives.
We all know, speaking of any industry, that it is demand that drives the market and history also teaches us that consumers dictate trends and not companies. Everything starts with just one person whose actions influence others and so on. Taking care of our environment and ultimately, saving the planet is on us everyday people ‘to start the trend’.
‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it’ – as our famous environmental leader, Robert Swan OBE said. So true, don’t you think?
If we are to play our part in saving the planet, having a sustainable home should be a priority for everyone.
Are you looking to self-build, extend or refurbish? Then, imagine a well insulated home built with low-emission materials that not only stands the test of time but also keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Obviously, it will contribute to reducing the demand on fossil fuels and on building materials due to the structural integrity of the building being well protected.
The more people willing to adjust their budget and do their part, the more companies will adjust to align with the new trend – hopefully starting a chain reaction across the globe spanning across many different industries.
Benefits of sustainable design
- Protects the environment
- Reduces waste, limits energy use and maximises re-use
- Improves the health and wellbeing of a building’s inhabitants
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
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.
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 however 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.
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.
Many of us associate sustainability with self-sacrifice, ‘going without’, and generally giving up the ‘easy life’ for the greater benefit of the planet. Great things never come easy though. Think about you and your immediate family being the first to reap the benefits of your green building!
Sustainable environments have many health and quality-of-life benefits
- Reduced risk of cancer (improved ventilation and low-emission materials)
- Reduced symptoms of respiratory disease (improved heating, ventilation, insulation and low-emission materials)
- Reduced symptoms of cardiovascular disease (improved ventilation)
- Reduced depression and stress, better mental health (improved heating and ventilation)
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.
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