'Low-Energy House' , 'Sustainable Construction', 'Passive House' , 'EPIC' (energy performance and indoor climate), ... these are terms that were more or less unknown a few years ago and with which everyone who is considering building a house today is now confronted.

We are currently obliged by law to insulate new houses well and to ensure that they are well ventilated.

Timber construction has been playing a leading role when it comes to building low-energy houses in Belgium for years and will continue to do so, because insulation values have increased in timber construction too and we continue to be a step ahead of legislation.

What does the law currently say?
K 45 : the overall insulation value of the house may not be higher than K45.
E 80 : we must build a house with an energy level of maximum 80 points.

What may the law say in the future?
K 30

In the case of passive houses extra attention is paid to insulation, solar energy, sun protection, airtightness and an alternative heating installation (heat pump, for example).
Defining a passive house purely on the basis of the overall insulation value is the wrong way to do it! Passive houses are judged only on the basis of the actual, installed heating capacity. But if you insist on a figure, they often have an overall insulation value of between K10 and K20.

First passive house made of solid wood in Belgium.
De Backer is a member of Passiefhuis-Platform vzw and is currently building the first passive house in Belgium to be made of solid wood. The first photographs can be seen in our photo gallery under ‘passive house project’.

‘Sustainable construction' is not the same as building a low-energy or passive house. Sustainable construction means building houses using ecological and reusable materials, materials that also require the use of little energy during production and/or do not lead to toxic substances being given off.