Mid-year, Wienerberger released its new ISObric by Polotherm which is based on the know-how of the brand’s Climamur solution with multiple layers of insulation inside the brick. Rock wool from basalt inside the clay-based terracotta helps provide excellent thermal performance.
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Renodays forum exhibition in Paris, Weinerberger unveiled a trio of groundbreaking innovations: the Koramic solar roofing system, Terca Eco-bricks, and the eagerly anticipated Porotherm ISObrics. With a heritage dating back to 1819, Wienerberger stands at the forefront of the construction industry, melding tradition and innovation to redefine modern building solutions. ISObric by Porotherm, their latest offering, encapsulates this spirit, ushering in a new era of structurally superior walls designed to address the complexities of contemporary construction, from environmental compliance to sustainable, cozy, and energy-efficient living environments.
ISObric, a 20 cm brick filled with rock wool insulation, is a game-changer in wall construction. Drawing from the industrial know-how of Wienerberger and the development of the Climamur solution, ISObric is poised to tackle the demands of the 2020 Environmental Regulation and the contemporary construction challenges for healthier, more sustainable homes. It boasts an optimal thermal resistance of R = 2 m².K/W, effectively addressing thermal bridging concerns at critical points. The product’s capabilities were further emphasized during an interview with Ludovic Zandouche, sales and marketing director for Wienerberger’s Porotherm structural bricks, who stated in an interview with ArchiExpo e-Magazine:
“On a un service qui permet à gérer, pour la maitrise d’oeuvre, l’implantation, le quantitatif de briques, le chantier etc. Les architectes nous envoient le plan d’une maison ou d’un batiment, et on genère le nombre de briques exactes qu’il faut. Par contre, on ne vend pas directement aux entreprises des architectes. On passe par les négociants de matériaux,” Ludovic Zandouche said.
Following Ludovic Zandouche’s insights into Wienerberger’s services and approach, it’s essential to delve deeper into what sets ISObric apart and how it addresses critical construction challenges. Its high-performance rock wool insulation (λ = 0.035) is not only effective but also hydrophobic, ensuring long-lasting insulation performance. Additionally, ISObric allows for potential gains in living space, reducing interior cladding thickness by 4 to 6 cm compared to conventional masonry, depending on the climate zone. With its robust mechanical strength, ISObric features wide longitudinal walls that distribute loads evenly across the wall, enhancing structural integrity.
ISObric also excels in fire resistance, thanks to its innovative design that securely encases non-combustible rock wool within wide cells held in place by small patented notches. Moreover, ISObric is a perspiring solution, preventing condensation and the growth of allergenic mold.
This groundbreaking product is complemented by a range of dedicated insulated accessories, compatible with Wienerberger’s Porotherm accessory lineup. The ease of installation is further enhanced by the dryfix and rolled masonry methods, resulting in reduced carbon footprint and labor intensity on construction sites.
“You stack the bricks like a construction set and glue them together on houses that don’t exceed one story. If the house or building is higher, you switch to mortar glue, which remains millimetric. We no longer need to have joints that are centimeters long to consolidate bricks. It’s faster and uses less water compared to typical constructions.”
Wienerberger’s ISObric is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation while honoring its heritage. With production taking place in France, ISObric embodies a 100% French innovation produced at Wienerberger’s Betschdorf site, showcasing the world’s first automated filling line for clay bricks (Climamur solution).
“ISObric is thinner than Climamur, measuring 20cm wide, and while its thermal resistance doesn’t meet the current regulatory requirements, it only needs a thin additional thermal layer. Despite this extra layer, it optimizes thermal resistance thanks to its thinness compared to traditional solutions.”
Within the collection, you’ll find ISObric base bricks, the innovative 20 mm bricks filled with rock wool insulation, as well as ISObric post-table bricks designed with seismic considerations in mind. The poteau-tableau brick serves to simplify vertical reinforcement, while the splittable brick allows for alternating row crossings. Additionally, a straight frame facilitates the tunnel installation of joinery, and the half-frame brick accommodates every other row crossing, offering a solution for treating opening frames—these particular bricks are set to be available from late 2023. The range is further complemented by a comprehensive selection of accessories, including lintels, plinths, and insulated boxes. Both ISObric base and ISObric poteau are designed as splittable bricks, making them easily workable with portable alligator saws or table saws, streamlining masonry tasks. These bricks enable the creation of outgoing or incoming vertical reinforcements at 90° angles, vertical reinforcements in the middle, and multi-angle vertical reinforcements, making them suitable for window openings in seismic zones, particularly when paired with straight frames and the installation of roller shutter boxes.
In addition, Porotherm structural bricks bear prestigious certifications, including CE, NF, NF Th, NF S, QB, Excell label, Qualitel label, and A+ health label. Notably, their manufacturing process, powered by 40% renewable energy, achieves a remarkable milestone by recycling 100% of terracotta waste. Wienerberger, a company with roots reaching back to the early 19th century, maintains its influential role in shaping the construction landscape, showcasing how a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation can pave the way toward a more sustainable and comfortable world.
