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Those buildings that use resources efficiently have a clearly positive impact both on the profits of the real estate business and on the economy of their tenants. And if they decide to obtain sustainable certification, all the more reason the benefits are guaranteed, since the requirements are to have at least 20% savings in energy, water and accumulated energy of the materials.

The software EDGE helps us to visualize how some energy and water saving strategies achieve some improvement in building performance. In this article, we will talk about the category of materials and strategies to be implemented. It is important to mention that EDGE quantifies the amount of accumulated energy that comes in materials from their extraction, manufacture, manufacture, transport and installation in construction. This amount of energy is shown as Megajules per square meter.

What technical material solutions are there to certify EDGE?

• Mezzanines and concrete ceilings: They serve to horizontally separate one floor from another within the different levels of a building and at the same time constitute the roof. The most traditional and economical way to design a mezzanine and roof slab is to make it lightweight by a maximum of 20 cm thick.
• Exterior and interior walls: They are the vertical elements of the construction. The material we recommend is Ferrocement walls, which consist of mortar and steel mesh that usually prevent cracks, are resistant to impact and traction and are flexible. Another of the materials we recommend is partitions made with medium-sized honeycomb concrete blocks, of a maximum of 15 cm.
• PVC window frames: This material is 1000 times more insulating than aluminum and offers both thermal and acoustic insulation, which translates into energy efficiency, savings and greater comfort.
• Wall insulation, roof insulation: This helps insulate the interior from cold and heat, as well as from outside noise.

Such strategies may incur little or no extra costs. It is also important to highlight the impact of these cost overruns at a quantitative level. If a consultancy is carried out at the design stage, it is very likely that the project will comply with EDGE with 0% of cost overruns up to a maximum of 1%.

If you want advice on the EDGE certification process, ask for a Quote here.