Net Zero carbon buildings and their increasing popularity

What is a net zero carbon building?

According to consultants WSP, “a net zero carbon building is simply a building that has no net carbon emissions during its construction and operation. Emissions are reduced and what's leftover is balanced by renewable energy or carbon offsets.”

Clockwork Screed is a family run business that supplies and installs liquid floor screed and poured insulation for construction, renovation and refurbishment projects. We are acutely aware of our responsibilities in operating as sustainably as possible at every stage of our work.

During more than thirty years of experience in working with concrete we have developed innovative strategies and technologies that have reduced our carbon emissions and enabled us to operate more sustainably.

The benefits of recycled concrete for net zero carbon buildings

Concrete is a sustainable building material for various reasons:

• Concrete can be made of recycled materials including derivatives of power plants and manufacturing processes. Aggregates, that can make up around 60 – 80% of a typical concrete mix, may contain reused waste products such as sand, crushed stone, demolished concrete and gravel. All of these materials would have ended up in landfill if not used to manufacture concrete.
• The transportation emissions associated with concrete are low because its raw materials are sourced in the UK, and aggregates and concrete are usually produced close to a construction site.
• Concrete is durable and long lasting and therefore reduces construction waste. It can also be reused when demolished.

Poured floor insulation for net zero carbon buildings

Insulating a building makes it more energy efficient, aiding the net zero carbon effort. Poured insulation is an alternative to insulation boards. It is poured as a monolithic slab which helps to reduce the thermal bridging associated with other types of insulation.

Clockwork Screed’s poured insulation creates less carbon than traditional concrete products because during production and installation it uses up to 80% less cement. This is a significant factor in our environmental impact during the construction stages of a building. Cement is responsible for 6 to 9% of global CO2 emissions and a key target in tackling climate change.

The installation of our poured insulation creates zero waste because we are able to produce the exact amount of insulation required. Compared to the non-recyclable waste generated when using insulation boards that needs to be transported and disposed of, poured insulation is a much more environmentally friendly solution, and a preferred option for net zero carbon buildings.

Liquid screed for net zero carbon buildings

At Clockwork Screed we use our unique, dedicated mobile screed factories to deliver and install our liquid floor screed. A single team handles the entire process removing the need for multiple vehicles and deployment of staff, which reduces our carbon emissions during the construction stages of a project. We only batch-produce the amount of liquid screed needed which creates zero waste.

Over 1000m² liquid screed can be applied in a day, and it dries very quickly; usually able to withstand light footfall within 24 to 48 hours. This minimises construction times and carbon emissions.

Choose Clockwork Screed for your net zero carbon building

A net zero carbon building is achieved through the combination of energy efficiencies during the build and throughout the life of the building. Clockwork Screed can help. Contact us for more information.