Optimal airtightness thanks to early involvement

Eindhoven’s skyline is being enhanced by two iconic residential buildings: Highlight and Lumen. The use of prefabricated facade elements ensures a shorter construction time and lower failure costs. Celdex was brought in as early as the preliminary design phase to help develop airtight solutions.

A striking feature is the floor-to-ceiling glazing in the modules, which allows plenty of natural light into the homes. “The entire air sealing process is handled right in the factory,” says Ruud Robbe, High-Rise Sales Manager at Celdex. “Our products are applied to the fresh, still-warm concrete to ensure optimal adhesion.” The cross-seals are also pre-installed at the factory. “The advantage of this is that the corner joint between two elements is immediately sealed after installation. No further work is required on-site. This enhances quality and safety.”

Excellent airtightness

Celdex Pre-Seal M TPU is used for air sealing and insulation in the joints between the facade elements. Robbe: “This product was specially developed for prefabricated high-rise buildings and large joint tolerances, and it has excellent airtight and insulating properties. Thanks to a TPU top layer, the prefabricated element also experiences less friction during installation.” On the very outer surface, Celdex EPDM Soft TPU prevents rain, wind, pests, and dirt from penetrating.

Quality assured

Robbe has noticed that Celdex is increasingly being brought in early in the design process. “This isn’t surprising, since air sealing requires specialized knowledge. Incorrect application or inadequate airtightness can seriously disrupt the tight construction schedule.” Moreover, airtightness requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. In Eindhoven, BAM Wonen asked Celdex as early as the preliminary design phase to help develop an effective airtightness solution. “For high-rise buildings, an air and driving-rain tightness of at least 600 Pa is often required. Proper detailing is therefore crucial. We first worked out the details on paper and then modeled them in 3D using BIM, including all connections and work instructions. We oversee this process both in the factory and on-site. Because no matter how good a product is, if it’s installed incorrectly, the promised quality won’t be achieved. That’s why we insist on guaranteed quality.”