Why use nonwovens in construction?

With increasing oil prices, climate change, CO² regulations and building regulation codes on fire resistance, nonwovens are providing cost-effective and efficient solutions to building and construction challenges.

The different uses are:

Insulation (thermal and noise)
House wrap
Roofing
- Underlay
- Composites
- Membranes
- Underslating
Covers for acoustic ceilings

Air infiltration barrier
Vapour barrier
Flooring substrates
Facings for plaster board
Pipe wrap
Concrete moulding layers
Foundations and ground stabilisation
Vertical drainage

For example:

Non-perforated, nonwovens polymeric house wrap material decreases air infiltration, resulting in increased energy efficiency and maximum moisture control, while at the same time providing savings for the builder and homeowner during installation and after-sale.
House wrap developments such as translucency, which helps lower installation time and provides high strength, combined with no VOC (volatile organic compound) release in either production or application, satisfy ever stricter government sustainability programmes.
More and more demanding building standards, energy-saving schemes and to some extent changing weather patterns are driving the need for breathable and impervious underlays for pitched roofs and an improved basis for bituminous membranes, both of which can best be served with versatile nonwovens.

Waterproof bituminous membranes for flat roofs

Underslating for pitched roof membranes

The advantages of using nonwovens in construction

High moisture and vapour permeability
Superior tear strength
Multi-directional elongation
High UV stability
Excellent durability
High tensile energy absorbency
Proven lamination process
Sound insulation

Nonwovens technologies used in construction

Drylaid
- Needle punching
- Hydro entanglement
- Thermobond
Spunmelt

More information on nonwovens test methods

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