How to build sustainably with seamless acoustic ceilings?

Build sustainably by using the resource hierarchy from the Roadmap for Fossil-Free Competitiveness, Construction and Building Sector from Fossil-Free Sweden.

Here are the different steps: RETHINK – OPTIMIZE USAGE – EXTEND LIFESPAN – ADAPT – SUPPLEMENT – BUILD NEW

The plan expresses the following: “Rethinking and meeting a need without making major changes is the first step in the resource hierarchy. Then, different ways to meet a need are illustrated, for example, by optimizing the use of what has already been built, extending lifespan through maintenance and repairs, adapting and supplementing existing buildings and facilities to meet new needs. As a last resort, new buildings are constructed with high resource efficiency and low climate impact over the life cycle.”

Let’s look at how a seamless acoustic system like Straight Up 20 mm from Styjl can be used to build sustainably.

Rethink – Optimize usage

Rethinking and optimizing usage means using what you have to the greatest extent possible. Building materials with long lifespans, adaptability, repair, and maintenance options will facilitate property owners to rethink and optimize what already exists.

Completing an existing room with an acoustic ceiling can create opportunities to utilize the space in a range of new ways compared to what it was originally intended for. An old warehouse or production facility can become an office, showroom, or residence. The only limit is one’s imagination.

Here, it is an advantage if the acoustic ceiling is flexible in terms of color, shape, and texture as it increases the possibility of adapting existing premises.

Extend lifespan – Adapt – Supplement

Choosing a fixed installation, i.e., a seamless acoustic ceiling over a modular system with loose acoustic tiles, guarantees a longer lifespan. Items that are easy to remove and replace tend to be removed and replaced because it becomes simpler than repairing and maintaining. This is often the case with acoustic tiles. And even if the acoustic tiles are reused, too low a proportion qualifies for reuse, less than 40%, as no upcycling of the tiles is done, only those in undamaged condition are reused.

Choosing a ceiling that can be maintained and repaired or colored differently without significant measures provides further incentives for a long lifespan. It allows the ceiling to be kept intact and neat but also allows future possibilities for adaptations and supplements, which is desirable.

Choosing a ceiling that can be dismantled to then be reused when it is finally decided that the only way forward is to build new and that, of course, a previously reused ceiling is chosen for the new building. Perhaps even by taking the ceiling from the old to the new location, feels self-evident. With the knowledge we possess today, we should not build in future problems by building with products that cannot be reused.

Build new

When building new, one should strive to minimize material consumption and CO2e emissions by choosing reused products or, where this is not possible, products with long durability and as low CO2 emissions as possible.

The Straight Up 20 mm system can be delivered with 86% reused components by weight and with a CO2e reduction of between 84% and 92%. The system is optimized for as low material consumption as possible, and the lifespan is set to 30 years, as the system is easy to repair and maintain, which also provides a good basis for adaptations and supplements during the ceiling’s lifespan.

Summary – build sustainably

Installing a seamless acoustic ceiling in an old building can transform the usage possibilities of the space and extend its lifespan and build sustainably. Seamless acoustic ceilings are preferred over modular acoustic tiles because they are more durable and less likely to be removed and replaced. They can also be maintained and repainted without significant measures, contributing to long lifespan and adaptability. When constructing new buildings, material consumption and CO2 emissions should be minimized by using reused products or products with long durability and low emissions. The Straight Up 20 mm system is an example of a sustainable acoustic ceiling with a high proportion of reused components and low CO2e emissions.