Building Energy Efficiency from an Insulated Base: KORE’s Innovative Foundation System in Action on MMC Projects
Energy efficiency and sustainable building materials are key to greener Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) projects. KORE Insulation offers an innovative foundation system that gives builders a thermally insulated base to work from.
Considerations for energy efficiency in modern construction techniques have changed from traditional builds thanks to innovations in floor, ceiling, and wall insulation. As new products enter the market, thermal losses from new builds have decreased. However, one source of thermal loss common to all construction projects that hasn’t been considered in the same way? Foundations.
Research published in the Energy and Buildings Journal says, in buildings designed with energy efficient insulation measures, around 30% of heat loss now stems from foundations. This makes insulated foundation systems a core factor for any developer serious about the design and construction of energy efficient buildings.
That’s where KORE Insulation steps in. The company’s high-performance Insulated Foundation System reduces thermal bridging and heat loss by wrapping a structure’s entire foundation in a continuous layer of structural grade Expanded Polystyrene (EPS).
The KORE engineered system:
- Offers U-values for material heat conduction as low as 0.10W/m2K.
- Reduces embodied carbon by up to 30% compared to a traditional building foundation option.
- Delivers three times the heat retention of a traditional screed layer in a typical building foundation.
This maximises onsite efficiency with shorter install times and less labour required. Additionally, KORE’s Insulated Foundation System is suitable for nearly all types of projects, including ICF, steel frame, traditional block, and timber frame housing. The KORE product was the first NSAI-certified insulated foundation system in Ireland.
Finnian O'Hanlon, Technical Manager for KORE Insulation, offered his take on the importance of a product like this for a sector striving to meet sustainability targets:
“The industry has the chance to reduce waste, improve thermal performance, and build faster, all while ensuring quality and compliance. With the planned introduction of whole-life carbon assessments in Ireland—applying to buildings over 1,000 sqm from 2028 and to all buildings from 2030—our Insulated Foundation System offers a thermally broken, high-performance solution that simplifies construction and reduces both waste and embodied carbon.”
Technical Manager for KORE Insulation
Chris McComb, Specification Manager at KORE Insulation, added this is an opportunity the company is more than able to meet.
“KORE Insulation is leading the construction market in sustainable building solutions, rather than simply following behind the latest trends.”
Specification Manager at KORE Insulation
Finnian joined KORE Insulation after a decade with Dublin City University's ALPHA Innovation Hub focused on real estate development. He started his career as a design technician before moving into project and site engineering after completing a Master’s in Sustainable Energy Engineering at Waterford IT (now South East Technological University). This interest in sustainable building eventually led him to KORE Insulation as Technical Manager responsible for the design and technical aspects of builds.
“I joined KORE as I was inspired by their dedication to developing innovative and sustainable building solutions. The focus on reducing embodied carbon and delivering greener, more efficient products closely aligns with my own values and passion for contributing to positive change in the construction industry.”
Specification Manager at KORE Insulation
Chris, meanwhile, has nearly 20 years of experience in specification and sales roles in construction. Moving to KORE Insulation proved a natural fit as he could use this knowledge to promote KORE’s products to architectural design, engineering, and building contractors nationwide. In a newly created Specification Manager role, Chris received extensive onboarding in the technical details of KORE’s products, including KORE Floor and the Foundation Insulation System (“one of the fastest growing sales areas”).
“The training I received in the KORE product range was very detailed and I have a strong understanding of how our system works to make building projects greener. The extensive training allows me to show specifiers and contractors who currently use our KORE Floor the benefits they would receive from also using an Insulated Foundation System. They often see it as a natural move to then use our Insulated Foundation System as well.”
Specification Manager at KORE Insulation
One great example of the KORE Foundation Insulation System in action is a housing development in Ballymote, Co. Sligo, delivered with off-site manufacturer Vision Built. The project consisted of 39 residential units, with KORE Insulation needing just one day to install the Insulated Foundation System and a second to fix steel and pour concrete as needed for the installation of Vision Built’s modular units the day after. The result? The first two semi-detached units were up in just three days. This rapid delivery meant the full development was handed over for finishing to developers in just over 6 months.
Each KORE Insulated Foundation is designed specifically for the needs of each residential or commercial project, allowing for efficient material use and reduced wastage. The KORE Insulated Foundation System arrives to site with detailed installation plans, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and minimising the time workers spend onsite. Less onsite material handling improves operational health and safety and negates weather-related delays. Moreover, any waste produced during the installation process can be returned to KORE for recycling, so long as the material is in a clean condition.
Davin Flynn, Regional Sales Manager for KORE Insulation, was a representative for this development and many others in the north-west of Ireland, where he calls home.
“I started as an Apprentice Electrician in 2008, and by the time I was trained up in 2012 there was little to no work available. I had planned, like many others, to head out to Australia or the US, but something changed my mind, and I decided to try my hand in sales and business development. I have loved it ever since!”
Regional Sales Manager for KORE Insulation
While based in his native Donegal, Davin came across Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and “immediately took a shine to it”. Since, Davin has set out to increase his understanding of MMC, gaining certification in Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) – Retrofit from Mount Lucas. He is also currently working towards a Master’s in Construction Innovation from the National University of Galway, where he has completed his first year and has developed a real interest in Passivhaus.
“I want to continue upskilling in MMC. I feel like KORE Insulation is the right place to do that because it’s such an incredible product. It’s also brilliant actually seeing it onsite, and getting the great feedback from the contractors.”
Regional Sales Manager for KORE Insulation
