Winter measures: Have a winter mat at the ready!
Winter construction: Construction in winter is possible - under the right conditions, and it is often worth it
Even though there is less pressure on construction activity during the winter period, contractors want to retain good employees so that construction can continue despite the winter cold.
With less pressure on activity in the winter, construction costs are also lower, which usually more than offsets the extra cost of winterisation measures, and this applies to coverings, securing slippery access roads, draining wet areas on the construction site, etc. Studies also show that construction carried out in winter is just as good as construction carried out in summer.
Preparation before the frost arrives
It is just a matter of being prepared and following the weather forecast from 1 November to the end of March. Winter measures are regulated in the Danish building regulations and consist of a number of initiatives. One is to prevent the high levels of humid rainfall from entering the building structure or foundation.
This is what Bolius wrote in their winter construction guide: “For example, when pouring foundations under a new house or extension, the concrete must be protected from frost until it has hardened. When pouring concrete in winter, it can be delivered warm and protected by covering it with winter mats if there is a chance of frost.”
“This also means that it is a good idea to have winter mats in stock well in advance because when winter sets in, demand skyrockets, and the situation can be a bit like being in a last-minute rush to get winter tyres on your car. There are queues at the garage,” says Jens Elisius Christensen, Head of Sales at Combitherm, a company that makes winter mats.
Winter measures ensure winter construction
However, according to international studies, winter moisture and cold can cause severe damage to buildings and workplace accidents if proper precautions are not taken, according to a 2019 study conducted by Aas-Jakobsen and Norconsult. Winter mats, among other things, play a crucial role in preventing water from penetrating newly poured concrete so that the frost does not causes it to crack. It is also important that the curing of freshly poured concrete takes place under controlled temperature conditions, and an insulating winter mat is an excellent solution. Overall, insulating winter mats are a flexible solution.
“We have seen examples where Combitherms winter mats have been used as partitions in the shell structure to keep individual parts of the building dry and warm. The winter mats are suitable for vertical surfaces because the Polywool insulation is fixed to the foil, preventing the insulation from collapsing,” says Jens Elisius Christensen.
Durable product
Combitherm produces high-quality insulating winter mats from materials consisting primarily of recycled plastic from granulated plastic bottles. The material has proven to be both durable and have more than adequate insulating properties.
“The funny thing is that winter mats are actually used for much more than just winter measures. We see them used as coverings in construction work to protect railings, balconies and more. And it is an easy solution if you have them in stock,” adds Jens Christensen.
If you want to know more about construction in winter, take a look at the Winter Executive Order and the Guide to the Winter Executive Order.
World-class customised thermal solutions
Combitherm is amongst the leading European manufacturers of flexible, tailor-made and energy-saving thermal solutions for a wide range of industries working with temperature-sensitive products and processes and where temperature fluctuations must be kept to a minimum.
Our products include thermal covers, concrete duvets, winter mats, asphalt duvets, blade covers, truck partitions as well as insulating mats, - all important elements when the cold chain needs to be secured during transport and storage of e.g., foods and medicine or when casting and curing processes needs to be stabilised within the wind turbine and building & construction industries.
Further information
Questions can be directed to Jens Elisius Christensen, Head of Sales, at jec@combitherm.dk or by telephone on +45 4073 3715.
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