Saint-Gobain Blog Posts

Today, buildings need to work harder than ever.  They need to provide warmth and shelter, while being energy efficient and having a minimal impact on the environment.

To help make this a reality, manufacturers have invested millions of pounds in developing products and systems that are more effective. However, for the systems to perform to the required levels they must be installed correctly.

So how do we ensure new installation techniques are known about and are adopted widely and consistently by the construction industry?

All parts of the industry must play their part.  To facilitate this sharing of knowledge across the supply chain Saint-Gobain has created its Technical Academy network of training facilities.  Each training facility provides up-to-date information around the products Saint-Gobain produces together with information about new or existing legislation and initiatives such as the Green Deal.

Our own research at the BRE’s Victorian Terrace project has shown how updating installation techniques can have a significant effect on product and system performance.

The changes we are talking about aren’t complicated and don’t require extensive re-training, although some training is required.  Relatively small adjustments to the way products were installed – such as preventing air convection by using a complete ribbon of adhesive instead of a dot and dab technique when securing laminates to the wall - had a very tangible impact on the thermal performance of the property.

Saint-Gobain’s Technical Academy network provides an example of how one part of the construction industry supply chain can support others simply by sharing its knowledge and expertise in a way that drives continuous improvement and learning. In our view, this collaborative approach will prove essential if, as an industry, we are to deliver sustainable construction.