In today's construction climate, many homebuilders are feeling the strain of ongoing supply chain disruptions, particularly the shortage of lightweight concrete blocks. As these materials have traditionally played a central role in meeting thermal performance targets, the question arises: How can builders stay compliant without them?
At Galaxy Technical Services, we're here to help you navigate this challenge with smart, compliant alternatives that don’t compromise on performance or cost-effectiveness.
If lightweight blocks are in short supply, one viable solution is to switch to medium-dense concrete blocks. However, this substitution typically increases the U-value, potentially pushing your SAP scores in the wrong direction. That’s where we come in, our technical team can calculate precise U-values and SAPs using the new proposed construction method and help identify what compensations are needed elsewhere in the building fabric. Rather than redesign your build from scratch, we optimise what you already have.
Medium-dense blocks alone might not hit your thermal targets, but pair them with the right insulation, and you’re back on track. We can recommend higher-performing insulation solutions that offset the increased conductivity of the blocks, restoring thermal performance without delaying your build schedule. Our calculations are tailored to your exact build-up and specification, ensuring compliance without overdesign or unnecessary cost.
Another effective strategy we offer is to provide bespoke psi values for your construction details using the same insulation you already specify. By optimising the thermal bridging performance, we can further boost your SAP calculation, giving you additional flexibility in the overall design. Often, a small investment in detail-level thermal performance can unlock major savings or simplifications elsewhere in the build.
At Galaxy Technical Services, we’re more than just a compliance service we’re your trusted technical partner. Whether you're designing to Building Regulations, Passivhaus, or aiming for higher sustainability standards, we’ll help you adapt and succeed even in a disrupted materials market. If you’re facing delays or compliance concerns due to the lightweight block shortage, get in touch today. We’ll show you how to keep moving forward with confidence.
Contact us today to discuss your project, request calculations, or explore alternative compliance solutions.
