Most buildings in the UK up to now have used blockwork and plasterboard for their partition walls. While this system does have its benefits, it is specified on many projects because it is a known quantity, rather than because it is far and away the best option.
However, the Specwall sustainable wall system outperforms blockwork and plasterboard in a variety of ways. By choosing Specwall, you can upgrade your building project and enjoy a host of benefits at every stage of construction.
Fire resistance
Fire resistance is more important than ever, and the government is making regulations in this area tighter. This is an area where all developers need to rethink the materials they use to ensure they meet the latest standards – and it is worth looking ahead at possible future standards to make sure that your building will meet those too.
In order to meet regulations and prepare for the future, Specwall proactively researched and developed an A1-rated walling system for the construction industry which is now available. Key technical information about our A1 panel is as follows:
- No flammable material in the panel
- Cannot contribute to a fire at any stage
- Same weight and strength as standard A2-rated panel
- 100m depth, single-layer system
- Simple, integrated, stand-alone
- Price competitive with SFS or blockwork alternatives
Increase efficiency, cut costs
One of the main advantages of using Specwall’s wall system is the ease of installation which simplifies construction programmes and cuts down on building time. Our wall system installation saves time and money, and is incredibly simple.
Time and motion studies carried out on previous Specwall installations shows that using Specwall instead of a blockwork and plasterboard system can reduce the time needed for installation by more than 55%. This is a significant potential financial saving you can make with the greater efficiency offered by Specwall.
We use a modular, single-visit installation process, and the factory-manufactured nature of our panels means the system can be designed to meet almost any situation in your building.
Learn more about the simple Specwall installation process by clicking here.
Prepare for the future
In addition to the above, using sustainable construction materials is a good way of preparing for the future in general. By definition, using sustainable materials will lead to a building that will be future-proof and better able to stand the test of time.
Specwall is a flexible system which can be demounted and reconfigured in situ without creating more waste, allowing you to change floor layouts following completion. This is not possible with blockwork and plasterboard systems which generally need replacing in their entirety in the event of a new floor plan. Specwall is also suitable in this way for the future as more and tighter legislation continues to develop around construction materials.
Water resistance
As per our product brochure: “Specwall is inert and a cementitious product, and therefore is not affected or damaged by water, mould or any other wet scenarios that could affect other traditional systems. This means that Specwall panels can be installed at any stage of construction, from the initial structural works before the building is water tight all the way through to the final stages, with no negative impact.”
In this way, Specwall is available for installation at an early stage of construction and can even be used as a shield to prevent water from reaching other areas. For example, Specwall’s inability to be affected by water means that you can install it and then begin work on the risers much earlier than would otherwise be possible.
This level of inherent water resistance makes Specwall a versatile and resilient product that outperforms traditional walling systems. It is yet another way in which Specwall can improve the efficiency of your project and reduce your costs.
Minimal waste
Specwall is a true low-waste wall system for use on your development. Less than 0.5% of the product is wasted and sent to landfill, making it far superior to alternative systems in this regard.
The precision, factory-manufactured nature of modern methods of construction like Specwall means that each panel is cut to the exact size and shape required for your building. This eliminates waste entirely and means you can order the exact quantity of Specwall required. All waste created during installation – for example off-cuts and dust – is 100% recyclable, meaning that your waste footprint is even smaller. This is not the case with blockwork and plasterboard which is an altogether more wasteful system.
Specwall’s aforementioned water resistance also plays a role here. Our panels will not be damaged by water or mould and can therefore be stored in areas which aren’t water tight without worry. This is in contrast to plasterboard which can stain, rot and become useless if affected by water.
You can learn more about reducing construction waste and increasing sustainability here.
Make your building more appealing to end users
In the age of climate emergency, a building that contributes positively and sustainably to the world is going to be hugely more attractive to potential occupiers than one which takes no care to be environmentally friendly at all.
The market wants sustainable buildings which have positive environmental and social impacts. These buildings are known to increase people’s happiness and wellbeing alongside having positive material effects.
If you do not build sustainably, you are only making life harder for yourself once the building is complete and it is time to find an occupier. Eco-friendly wall systems like Specwall are a major part of how you can improve your building’s environmental impact and increase its appeal to potential occupiers.
Want to learn more about Specwall and how it can benefit you? Get in touch with our team today by clicking here >>
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