For commercial property managers and owners, investing in renovation today will bring long-term value to their building stock for years to come.

Innovations in the commercial building renovation industry enable business owners to reduce operational costs, improve indoor air quality, and limit the harmful impacts of noise.

In this article, we'll cover the basics of commercial renovation and the solutions dependent today. As the specific solutions available and relevant for your project depends on the type of project, we'd highly recommend you check out the relevant pages when you're finished with this article.

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Benefits of a commercial building renovation project

The overall benefits of a commercial renovation project extend to property owners, inhabitants, and the natural environment. These projects should aim to retrofit buildings with modern, resilient technologies to help make them more sustainable.

Research shows that 75-90 percent of Europe’s current building stock will still be in use by 2050. For property managers and business owners, renovation is an opportunity to save money, increase property value and extend the useful life of their assets in a way that is both cheaper and better for the environment than building new.

Benefits of a commercial renovation project include:

  • Lowering operational costs – Insulation materials (like stone wool) increases the thermal performance of a structure, requiring less energy to heat and cool the building. Cutting down on energy consumption is an effective strategy to reduce the total cost of ownership.
  • Renovating for greater sustainability – With high-performing thermal insulation, buildings also generate less CO2 emissions (due to reduced energy consumption). Many local and national governments now promote sustainable building practices, so the commercial renovation cost could be offset using one of these programs.
  • Establishing healthier and safer spaces – A healthier indoor climate is possible with insulation that reduces noise pollution, maintains a comfortable temperature, and limits humidity or condensation, which could lead to mould. Stone wool’s properties are uniquely suited to provide all these benefits.

Reducing the carbon footprint of structures and improving their indoor climate is vital for creating sustainable, healthy buildings of the future. With ROCKWOOL’s insulation technology, property owners can revitalise existing buildings into modern and productive office spaces.

How to renovate commercial buildings

The steps needed to renvoate a commercial buildings depends largely on the type and purpose of the building. However, some challenges are universal and should be thought into most projects:

  • Energy efficiency - Lowering energy use and reducing CO2 emissions will increase the energy class of the building, which leads to energy savings and an increase in property value.
  • Indoor climate - The indoor climate has a profound impact on the people working or living within. Improving the comfort of indoor spaces by maintaining a stable temperature, managing humidity and ensuring the supply of fresh air can significantly improve productivity and learning,
  • Acoustics - Noise pollution can hurt productivity, reduce sales, and keep people up at night. No matter which type of project you are looking at, reducing noise should be a top concern.

Stone wool is versatile enough to support any kind of commercial renovation project. The seven strengths of stone (when harnessed) can help revitalise the world’s building stocks and help us to overcome the multiple challenges facing present and future generations. Engineering one of the most abundant resources into useful and innovative solutions allows commercial renovators to maximise building performance using cost-effective passive barriers.

Renovating office buildings

To accommodate more workers into a limited area, an open-office layout maximises the available space. If not properly conceived, open offices could limit employee productivity. Renovating the interior with stone wool products can help the company’s bottom line and improve the health of their employees, which are their most valuable resources.

general illustration, office, people, discussing

Remodelling restaurants and cafés

Restaurants and cafés need to provide an inviting and comfortable social experience for their patrons. A restaurant renovation project should prioritise the elements that enhance the customer’s satisfaction to provide a comfortable dining experience.

DK, Cafe Toldboden, Copenhagen, Leisure, Rockfon Eclipse, A-edge, 1160x1160, White, Restaurant, Pub, Nightclub

Rethinking schools and educational environments

Similar to an office environment, schools need to accommodate large groups of students while allowing them to develop new skills. Reducing noise levels, increasing indoor comfort, and promoting natural light can help students remain focused for longer and ensure the healthy development of the cognitive functions they will depend on in the future.

Case Study, Sammamish High School

Considerations for hotel renovations

Hotels can benefit from deep renovation projects that improve the building’s façade to reduce noise pollution from the outside environment, giving guests a comfortable place to rest. As many hotels are in older buildings, improving the insulation in the walls, ceilings, and floors can enhance its thermal performance, reduce noise between rooms, and help reduce operational costs.

ES, Hotel El Llorenç Parc de la Mar, Palma de Mallorca, Pedro Rabassa, Leisure, Rockfon Mono Acoustic, TE-edge, 1800x1200, White, Hotels

Putting residential renovation on the agenda

For residential building stock, policymakers can legislate energy efficiency, indoor health, and fire resilience into building codes. Using these types of tools can help stimulate the local economy and increase the sustainability of communities while preparing them for future challenges. Investing in public and private partnerships for residential and commercial renovation schemes is essential for making our cities more resilient and capable of supporting future generations.

The Quad,  Building, Residential, Student Accommodation, Rainscreen, SP Firestop,

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