Reusing insulation, scientifically grounded.
Start 2 Reuse Insulation is a TETRA research project that aims to encourage construction professionals to reuse more insulation materials. A scientifically grounded basis for practice, from architects to contractors who want to build circularly.
Dismantling - Performance assessment - Reuse applications
Demolition and renovation projects in Flanders and the Netherlands.
PUR, PIR, XPS, EPS, Rock wool, Glass wool, Cellular glass, Cellulose
Together with students in 6 different cities.
In pictures
How do you get insulation out of an existing construction intact?
The research maps out which dismantling techniques work for which type of building element and insulation material. We document deal-breakers, damage limitation and logistical recommendations.
For successful dismantling, the work starts before the first screw is turned: analysing as-built plans, carrying out test drillings or a dismantling trial and drawing up a dismantling inventory.
What are the no-gos and considerations for selective demolition? When is there no point in dismantling the insulation separately? And which parameters must be checked before dismantling so that it remains economically viable?
A step-by-step plan is generated based on the selected building element (roof, facade, floor), the insulation type (board, roll, batt, loose fill) and the fixing method.
How well does insulation still perform after years in a facade or roof?
Can you still trust recovered insulation? The research measures lambda value, compressive strength, water absorption and dimensional stability on materials that have been in use for years — and compares them with the original specifications.
Mineral, synthetic and bio-based insulation materials each age in their own way. We systematically map the differences.
Lambda value, compressive strength, water absorption and dimensional stability — each parameter has its own measurement protocol and graphical representation.
A chart compares measured values with the manufacturer's original specifications.
Where is recovered insulation best applied — and how?
Not every reused material fits every new application. The research links the cases to building elements and the selected parameters. The cases are divided into different categories linked to the 'risk' of reuse: Little additional risk / verified - Mitigable risk - Increased risk.
Roof, facade, floor — each location places its own demands in terms of moisture, pressure and thermal performance. Not everything fits everywhere.
Is the intermediate floor accessible or not? Is the flat roof loaded or not? Is the facade built with a ventilated cavity, with ETICS, or insulated on the inside? Depending on the specific requirements for the selected building element, insulation materials will fall into a different risk category.
Does the insulation have thermal requirements, and if so, what value must it meet? Or does the insulation also have acoustic and/or fire requirements?
As a construction professional, do you have a preference for mineral, synthetic or bio-based insulation? You can filter on this too.
Try it yourself!
The tool links insulation type to building element and provides the recommendations, step-by-step plans and cases from the research for each combination.
Cases from the research.
Research only becomes tangible in concrete projects. An overview of all cases shows dismantling, reintegration and performance assessment in practice.
Extensive reuse of insulation in a two-unit home
Reused insulation materials were used for the facade, the flat roof, the floor, the partition walls and the pitched roof alike.
Read case
Dismantling an ETICS system with students
A facade with an ETICS system was dismantled together with four Industrial Engineering students and one Bachelor in Construction student.
Read case
Pitched roof renovation of a former convent
Rock wool from a flat roof was reused in a pitched roof.
Read caseThe research is steered by construction professionals.
Architects, demolition and general contractors, insulation manufacturers and reuse traders jointly decide which questions we answer — and validate their practical usability.