Renovation – the right approach

Renovation and refurbishment of existing buildings is becoming more and more important as space and resources are often limited, especially in urban areas. 

Reference photo renovation single family in Mechelen
© Wienerberger Belgium

Why renovate?

Renovation not only honours the past, it also means looking into the future.

Adaptations and extensions of buildings as well as attic conversions are a good alternative to new buildings. Refurbishments help us to create more space, reduce energy consumption and preserve our cultural heritage while bringing the building up to latest technical standards. 

There are plenty of reasons for renovation, among them, most importantly, the enhancement of the living comfort and indoor climate. At the same time, you can reduce your energy consumption and thus save money. It can also be an aesthetic decision, maybe your house needs a facelift and you want to add a new, individual look. When new living space is needed, the modification and extension of an existing building, such as the conversion of the attic, is a good and often financially sound alternative to moving.

We offer the right solution for your demands, with a wide range of products. Clay blocks, bricks, roof tiles and pavers are a healthy, natural and smart choice for renovation projects. Our products are infinitely versatile and have a long lifespan. It is definitely a good investment in your future. Choose the right partner for a one-stop solution. Your local Wienerberger organisation supports you with the product choice and a recommendation for the right partners in your area who can perform the work that needs to be done, such as roofers and masons.

Architect: ROVE Architecten, Mechelen

The advantages of renovation

Energy efficiency

We at Wienerberger have looked into the topic energy efficiency in great detail and set up a test site in Belgium. The project comprised the extensive renovation of a detached home dating from around 1900. After the completion of the refurbishment, studies have been conducted and the results speak for themselves. Through the energy-related renovation of the building envelope, the energy consumption was reduced from 410 to 79 kWh/m², an improvement of about 80%, whereas the cost of renovating and insulating the roof and façade, including new joinery, only amounted to 40% of total renovation costs. This shows that the best and most cost-effective choice is to start with the renovation of the roof and façade.

Create new living space

The conversion of the attic to create new living space is often the most evident solution. A pitched roof provides this additional space. This conversion should go hand in hand with a thermal insulation of your roof to keep the new living space warm and improve the energy efficiency, as well as to bring your roof up to latest standards with increased safety and an extended lifespan.

When it comes to renovating your roof, we offer high-quality roofing components that are extremely robust and withstand all weather conditions, such as storm and snow. Fulfil your dreams with the large variety of available clay roof tile shapes, colours and surfaces, as well as the perfectly coordinated roof system accessories. Ask the roofer you trust, visit the nearest showroom or have a look at your local Wienerberger website to see the complete range and latest trends.

Aesthetics – a new appearance

What needs to be considered to achieve a distinct personal look and “feelgood” atmosphere? Colours make a big difference and, of course, the material surrounding us. Additionally, you should also consider the daylight and the room layout.

When it comes to aesthetics, the external appearance is also very important. Due to the wide range of colours and shapes, bricks and clay roof tiles are perfectly suited for the expression of individual wishes. 

Investment

Renovation is not only an investment in your quality of life but also in the building itself, as it increases the value of the property and extends its lifespan. Long-term savings can be achieved through reduced energy consumption, lower utility bills and lower maintenance costs in the future. Building materials made of clay are hard-wearing and robust and thus especially durable. Hardly any repair and maintenance costs are incurred and the value of your building is not only retained but can be expected to increase. 

In short, ceramic building materials have many advantages when it comes to renovation. In addition to single products, Wienerberger provides complete solutions, which guarantee a sustainable, energy-efficient and aesthetic renovation. Visit your local Wienerberger website to see the wide product spectrum.

Demolish or renovate?

Finally, if the existing building is in poor condition, the question will definitely come up: renovate or demolish and build new? To come to a decision, different factors have to be considered: your aims, desires, the state of the building and the investment involved. A general rule is that renovation makes sense as long as renovation costs are lower than 80% of the newly built value. Another question is whether your expectations and changes are feasible with the existing building. What is the architectural value of the building and, last but not least, what is the emotional value that you connect with the existing building? Often it is advantageous to involve an architect to help you with this decision, who will be able to tell you what the technical options are, what costs are involved and compare it to the construction of a new home.

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