Crumbling façades, rotten window frames and dilapidated roof tiles already indicate at first glance that a building needs renovating. Yet even neglecting smaller maintenance tasks can lower the value – and cosiness – of a property in the long term. Therefore, homeowners should take appropriate measures to counter these issues in good time and also pay close attention to the quality of the building products and the professional completion of the work. RAL Quality Marks provide helpful guidance for reliably retaining the value of property.

Whether renovating or modernising,  homeowners should always seek advice from a specialist about the planned measures. An energy consultant can, for example, develop a modernisation plan and explain the expected costs and available subsidies. The success of the individual measures stands and falls by their professional execution. Fitting effective internal insulation in old buildings places particularly high demands on the installation company. Even small imperfections can cause moisture to collect in the brickwork and result in mould growing on the walls. All components of the indoor insulation also have to be adapted to the indoor climate. Homeowners can rely on systems carrying the RAL Quality Mark for Internal Insulation because they have been specifically assembled for this specific task and the installation work is carried out professionally by trained personnel.

The importance of finishing what you start
Skilled personnel are also vital when installing new windows. “High-quality windows cannot realise their full potential if errors are made with the fitting connections”, explains Frank Lange, Managing Director of the Quality Assurance Association for Windows, Façades and House Doors (Gütegemeinschaft Fenster, Fassaden und Haustüren e.V.). “Incorrect installation often results in thermal bridges.” The quality assurance system for windows, façades and house doors guarantees high-quality production standards and professional installation including the associated connections and seals.

In addition, homeowners have to be prepared for the fact that individual renovation and modernisation measures often reveal a need for other corrective measures. For example, anyone installing a new boiler with low emission values will be faced with the problem that the diameter of the existing chimney is often too large and the waste gases will thus be discharged too slowly. The steam produced during the combustion process that condenses on the side of the boiler can cause dampness inside the chimney. Service providers with the RAL Quality Mark for Chimney Renovation provide professional assistance in this area by tapering the cross-section of the chimney. This involves, for example, fitting single-walled stainless steel pipes in the chimney to reduce its diameter.