PIR: A versatile and optimal fire-resistant insulation material

Insulation materials made of PIR are steadily gaining ground in the fireproofing of buildings. One of the pioneers in this development is the Insulation division of UNILIN, part of the American company Mohawk Industries, global market leader in floor coverings. Based in Oisterwijk, UNILIN Insulation focuses on providing tailor-made services to the market during new construction and renovation projects. This is achieved not only with an all-round requirements-conforming product range and the continuous development of new inventions, but also through expert advice, a ready-to-use design and a welcome collaborative approach, the insulation specialist relieves its clients of every detail. 

Renovation project with RenoPir in Huizen.

In the field of insulation, UNILIN has been a household name within Europe for more than fifty years. The company shows customers the way to the optimum insulation solution with a complete and varied range of products. A solution that is characterized by a tiptop price-quality ratio and a broad applicability. And, more importantly, a solution that meets all the requirements set for fire-resistant construction. At the same time, sharing the available knowledge and experience with the customer is second nature at the Beneluxstraat 1 in Oisterwijk. A fact that developers, contractors and architects take advantage of during the realization of the most diverse construction and renovation projects. "You see construction processes becoming increasingly complex," says marketing manager Christian van Gils. "This also increases the need in the market for a specialist who thinks along with the customer and assists him in word and deed. We are such a partner. With UNILIN our clients choose a technically high-quality product. At the same time, they are assured of a highly competent partner who will work with them in every situation to find the smartest and most appropriate solution."

Installing structural dormer in Hilvarenbeek.

Product with future
Composite insulation boards, self-supporting roofing elements and four mutually combinable Prefab Solutions (UNIFAS, UNIPRE, UNIFIT and UNISIP): UNILIN's product range is very diverse. With the exception of UNIPRE consisting of glass wool, the entire range is composed of PIR, a versatile and fire-resistant material that offers the necessary advantages. "First and foremost, our insulation products manufactured from PIR can be used across the board: for utility buildings, but also for homes and halls, for example," Van Gils said. In addition, PIR offers, among other things, high compressive strength, a high thermal insulation value and is moisture insensitive. Due to the reduced thickness of UNILIN boards, a smaller volume of insulation boards is needed for the same insulation value compared to other materials. This results in lower transportation costs. "There are currently some positive developments going on around the use of PIR as a full insulation material, especially when it comes to its fire resistance," says commercial director Leon de Kok. "We as UNILIN go along with that flow. For example, in the meantime we already have an insulation board with fire class B, something that is a requirement in the agricultural industry nowadays. It is an example of smart product developments that make sense and with which we can raise the concept of safety to an even higher level. We are happy to contribute to all that."   

Installation of UNIFAS canopy in Rijssen.