Sentinel House Institute” provides information on sustainable, low-emission building products. This independent institute compiles a list of sustainable building materials for healthy living based on its strict criteria. Architects and interior designers, driven by customer demands are looking for healthier living spaces and sustainable materials to be used in construction.
The number of construction projects certified for sustainability by independent associations is also growing. Especially notable are the certifications from the German DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) and the LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. Both systems require the use of products that meet strict VOC emission measures to be installed indoors. To achieve the highest quality level, the products must also meet an EMICODE EC 1PLUS standard.
Low-emission products that can be used in highly demanding applications have always resulted in a compromise for the client. If we look at wet rooms in commercial settings that get intensive use and are subject to high volumes of water and acidic cleaners where reaction resin products are technically necessary but would never achieve EC1PLUS certification. The use of SOPRO sealing system SOPRO Primer EPG 1522, PU Surface Sealant Wall/Floor PU-FD 1570/1571 – would allow such an installation to be done for commercial settings such as pool surrounds or commercial kitchens whilst still meeting the EC1PLUS certification.
For highly stressed areas requiring rapid construction progress or where sheet waterproofing (AIV-B) is generally demanded, Sopro AEB® Waterproofing and Decoupling Membrane HD 958 can be used, a specially developed, innovative premium waterproofing membrane designed for chemical and mechanical stress. The membrane is bonded to both the substrate and adjacent membranes using Sopro Fixing & Sealing Adhesive FDK 415. With Sopro’s No.1 Flex Adhesive 400, a complete waterproofing system is available, where each individual product meets sustainability requirements. For grouting, the high-strength, cementitious Sopro TitecFuge® wide TFb is suitable. Connection and movement joints are sealed with SoproDur® Joint Sealant high strength.
Substrates can be levelled, primed, sealed if necessary, and tiled or fitted with natural stone in any area within the Sopro Complete System. Porous substrates can be primed with Sopro Primer GD 749, non-porous substrates with Sopro Adhesion Primer SHPS 673. For a calcium sulfate screed, Sopro Multi Ground MGR 637 is suitable. If levelling or filling work is required, this can be done with Sopro FS 15® plus in thicknesses ranging from 2 – 150 mm or with Sopro RAM 3® in thicknesses ranging from 3 – 60 mm. For bathrooms or wet rooms, sealing work can be carried out using Sopro Turbo Sealing Slurry 2-K TDS 823 or the Sopro AEB® Waterproofing and Decoupling Membrane. Both the bonding of the membrane to the substrate and the seam bonding are done with Sopro Fixing & Sealing Adhesive FDK 415.
The new Sopro Sealing Slurry Flex RS is also very low in emissions and meets the requirements of the EMICODE EC 1PLUS. This reactive and stable, cementitious sealing slurry is suitable for bonding sealing tape joints due to its reactive drying process and can also be used for balcony waterproofing.
For the bonding of tiles, natural stone, and mosaics, a wide range of very low-emission Sopro products are available for selection. Sopro’s No.1 Flex Adhesive 400 is suitable for almost all applications. For larger tile formats or more sensitive materials and natural stone, the silver-colored Sopro’s No.1
For grouting work, alongside tiles as part of the surface that may come into contact with the body or food, there are corresponding low-emission and low-toxicity products available. Grouting across the surface can be done using Sopro DF 10® DesignJoint Flex. For areas subjected to higher stress, Sopro TitecFuge® plus TF+ is suitable. Connection and movement joints are sealed with Sopro Sanitary Silicone. Moreover, Sopro grout compounds are free from nanoparticles, plasticizers, chlorinated paraffins, and solvents.
A very comprehensive source of information on this topic, containing details of all suitable installation products, is the sustainability brochure from Sopro Bauchemie GmbH
