JUNCKERS
SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORS
AND BREEAM 

Manufacturing with a focus on environmental responsibility has been part of Junckers' DNA since 1930. We are constantly striving to improve the scope and quality of the documentation we provide to show clients and designers the unrivalled sustainability of Junckers solid hardwood floors. The company has a clear policy to create transparency and traceability throughout its areas of operation and we are constantly looking for ways to improve this. In addition we actively seek opportunities to include the most relevant and up to date documentation.

Junckers 22mm solid hardwood floors have a generic LCA summary rating of A+ in the BRE Global Green Guide specification for hard floor finishes, shown as element number 821580002. However, there are many specific ways in which Junckers floors can provide credits for assessments under the BREEAM International New Construction Version 6 certification scheme for sustainable buildings. This site will show you a brief overview of how our floors contribute. Are you looking for full documentation, please find it here

In partnership with architectural and engineering consultants Rambøll, we have mapped the impact of our flooring on global warming potential (GWP), biodiversity, the environment, indoor climate, user-friendliness, durability, and recyclability. As a result, we are proud to provide product-specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and we aim to simplify the process of selecting flooring by providing a variety of systematically structured BREEAM documentation, as described below.

MAIN AREAS IN BREEAM

A BREEAM assessment is based upon nine main areas, which are weighted differently in the overall assessment.

Figure 1 shows the weighting of each area as a percentage. Under each area there are several sub-criteria. Junckers’ wood flooring can positively influence a number of these criteria.

In addition to the nine main areas, the BREEAM method classifies buildings into seven different types: residential, office, industrial, retail, residential institution (long-term stay), hotels and residential institution (short term stay).

JUNCKERS FLOORS IMPACT ELEVEN BREEAM CRITERIA

The sub-criteria are weighted slightly differently depending on the type of building, and therefore the impact of Junckers wood flooring varies between building types.

Figure 2 illustrates the eleven sub-criteria to which Junckers solid hardwood flooring can contribute directly or indirectly through our product documentation.

In the BREEAM system, these eleven sub-criteria account for 29-31 credits out of a possible 146-155 credits, depending on the building type. Junckers floors are included as a subset of the total material consumption in the building.

JUNCKERS FLOORS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT UPON YOUR BREEAM ASSESMENT

Figure 3 provides an example of how Junckers solid hardwood flooring contributes to the main BREEAM areas in relation to office buildings.

The BREEAM standard includes several areas not directly affected by choice of flooring in the building. However, there is no doubt Junckers floors have a significant impact in the categories where material choice is important.

In the Management category, it is the floors’ robustness, lifespan and Junckers’ warranty scheme that provides 7 out of a possible 14 percentage points.

For Health and Wellbeing, the impact of Junckers flooring upon indoor air quality and acoustic properties impacts 5 out of a possible 14 percentage points.

In the Materials category the influence is largely due to our Life Cycle Assessments provided through product specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Junckers can also supply either FSC or PEFC certified wood, depending on the floor type. This results in an impact of 7% out of a possible 8 percentage points.

Finally, the Waste category, where the impact comes from the excellent recyclability of Junckers flooring. Our floors achieve a 3% contribution from a possible 6 percentage points.

CERTIFICATES AND MORE INFORMATION

WHOLE LIFE VALUE THROUGH LONGEVITY AND COST-EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE

By taking a closer look at the Management category, where longevity and durability of materials are heavily weighted, you will see that Junckers solid hardwood flooring has all the characteristics that provide durability and a long service life. The choice of wood species and type of floorboard (i.e., solid boards or engineered) is crucial to the lifespan of a wooden floor. At Junckers we only produce 100% solid hardwood floors in beech, ash, maple and oak. There are no hidden layers in the floor where quality is compromised as can be seen with other types of wooden floors.

A further aspect of sustainability and lifespan is the way the floor is maintained. Junckers offers a care scheme which includes a warranty in partnership with Junckers Approved Contractors network. The care scheme offers the client, specifier, and builder the assurance that the floor has been fitted correctly, the product is the highest quality and long-term maintenance will be carried out correctly by a Junckers Approved Flooring Contractor. With the right care scheme, a Junckers floor can last more than 60 years, which is in fact also the anticipated lifespan of the building under the BREEAM assessment method.

The best way to extend the life of the floor and keep maintenance costs to a minimum is to keep the oiled or lacquered surface in good condition by re-applying the surface finish before it wears down to bare wood. Junckers manufactures its own range of floor cleaning and maintenance products, specifically designed for use on timber floors. We always recommend the client or building manager establishes a floor inspection policy in partnership with a Junckers Approved Maintenance Contractor to ensure that the surface is refreshed at intervals appropriate to the amount of foot traffic the floor receives. 

junckers woodcare product range

PRODUCT-SPECIFIC EPDS

As part of our commitment to offer independently verified and transparent sustainability information we provide product specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). This tool allows you to make informed material choices.

In the Materials category, the EPD is used to perform a 60 year BREEAM Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). 

Junckers' EPDs are produced in accordance with European standard EN 15804 and verified according to ISO 14025. The declarations are independently verified by a third party and registered with EPD Denmark.

Download OUR EPDs

EPD | 2-strip parquet floors | MD 19009 (EN15804+A2)

EPD Appendix | 2-strip parquet floors | MD 19009 (EN15804+A1)

EPD | Plank floor | MD 19008 EN 15804+A1

A JUNCKERS FLOOR CAN BE REUSED

In the Waste category, BREEAM encourages measures to accommodate future changes of use throughout the life of the building.

Here Junckers solid hardwood floors contribute to multi-functional building designs, being adaptable in the event of refurbishment or change of use as they can be dismantled, reused and recycled. Our floors can also be used in the production of new wood-based building materials.

We are constantly striving to find ways to recycle our floors, thereby contributing to the circular economy.

REFERENCES WITH RECLAIMED JUNCKERS WOOD FLOORS


WE COLLABORATE WITH NATURE

 

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