+48 500 409 109

About PiVi

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far PiVi has created 1403 blog entries.

Poland’s 2026 building law changes – procedures, records and transition dates

The 2026 amendment did not abolish the rule that construction requires an appropriate legal basis – before starting work, check whether your building and procedure fall under an exemption, notification or permit. Every exception has conditions concerning function, size and location, and calling a structure ‘lightweight’ is not enough. For a roof or sandwich-panel cladding, it is essential to determine whether the planned solution meets the definition of a shelter, building or other structure. This determines the procedure and the scope of documentation.

By |2026-11-15T03:31:56+01:002026-11-01|Construction basics|Comments Off on Poland’s 2026 building law changes – procedures, records and transition dates
Read More

Unauthorised building work in Poland – how the route to regularisation is determined

Before planning a roof covering replacement, establish whether the building was erected lawfully in the first place. Construction without the required decision or notification, as well as other works carried out unlawfully, counts as unauthorised development. Check the scope of works, their completion date and the building's complete documentation. A lightweight structure, trapezoidal sheet metal or sandwich panels do not exempt you from this assessment. Compare the actual state with the documentation and determine whether there is a significant departure from the approved design. Only then plan further steps, because the regularisation procedure depends on the specific case.

By |2026-11-15T03:30:56+01:002026-11-01|Construction basics|Comments Off on Unauthorised building work in Poland – how the route to regularisation is determined
Read More

How to calculate the full cost of building a roof

To establish the full roof cost, compile a schedule of materials and works rather than relying solely on the price per square metre of sheet metal. Define the project scope and the actual roof slope area, remembering that the building footprint is not the same. Decide whether thermal insulation, rainwater goods, roof windows, chimney access platforms and removal of the existing covering are included – without this, compared amounts may refer to different tasks. Drawings and approved technical solutions are the basis.

By |2026-11-14T19:54:17+01:002026-10-30|Construction basics|Comments Off on How to calculate the full cost of building a roof
Read More

How can you check the lengths of roof sheets available off the shelf?

The range of lengths in the catalogue and the list of sheets waiting in the warehouse are two different pieces of information. For a quick purchase you need a current schedule of individual pieces, while for a project you need the effective lengths after allowing for details. A sheet available off the shelf should suit the roof slope, the supports and the method of installation. The mere possibility of collection tomorrow does not determine a good choice. Production may offer many made-to-order lengths, but the warehouse holds specific pieces. Ask for a current list with the number of items, length, thickness, colour and type of sheet. Confirm the reservation period and the conditions of issue. Information on the website may relate to a category, not the complete set needed for the roof.

By |2026-11-14T12:38:02+01:002026-10-28|Construction basics|Comments Off on How can you check the lengths of roof sheets available off the shelf?
Read More

Which roof insulation should you choose – PIR, EPS, XPS or mineral wool?

The choice of roof insulation depends on the entire assembly, not on the lambda value alone. Check where the material sits, the loads, the risk of moisture and the available thickness – these narrow down the realistic options. PIR helps where height is limited, EPS can be beneficial in a designed warm roof, XPS in wet conditions, and wool where fire and acoustic requirements matter. Compare variants with similar thermal performance, including details and the product datasheet. Without this, a price-per-metre comparison says little.

By |2026-11-14T19:47:28+01:002026-10-28|Construction basics|Comments Off on Which roof insulation should you choose – PIR, EPS, XPS or mineral wool?
Read More

What makes metal roofing suitable for an energy-efficient house?

A metal roof can work well in an energy-efficient house, but low energy use depends on the design of the whole building envelope, not on the covering alone. Sheet metal is not a thermal insulation layer, so when assessing an offer you need to separate the covering's parameters from those of the entire assembly. Continuity of insulation, airtight details and protection of the loft against overheating require the most attention. Colour, profile and coating do not replace a calculation of heat losses. It is worth asking for a calculated U-value, the eaves solution and the detail at the window, and for a passive standard also for whole-building calculations and an airtightness test.

By |2026-11-14T16:30:21+01:002026-10-21|Construction basics|Comments Off on What makes metal roofing suitable for an energy-efficient house?
Read More

When should wall panels be laid horizontally and when vertically?

The panel direction affects more than the façade design. It changes the arrangement of supports, the number of joints and the way openings are finished. In a small studio, it is worth considering it together with the wall height, windows and access during installation. The best layout is the one that suits the specific system and the function of the building. A long horizontal division can emphasise the width of the building, while a vertical one emphasises its height. However, the effect also depends on the colours and profiling of the steel sheet. On a short façade, one large window may be more visually important than the panel direction. It is worth assessing the full front elevation, not just a sample of the material.

By |2026-11-14T12:37:16+01:002026-10-19|Construction basics|Comments Off on When should wall panels be laid horizontally and when vertically?
Read More

Ordering steel sections and sandwich panels that fit together

Two correctly manufactured deliveries may still fail to form a correct set. It is enough for the profiles to have been made to an earlier version of the drawings than the panels. A different dimensional basis or a missing support detail can also be a problem. That is why it is worth running the order for the cladding and the steel as one coordinated task. Cold-formed profiles are then described by their actual function, position and connections. At the start, the applicable layout of axes, levels and openings must be established. It should be common to the structure, panels and flashings. Every dimensional change must have a version designation and a date. Sending a new file alone without information on the scope of the correction is often insufficient.

By |2026-11-15T18:26:06+01:002026-10-03|Construction basics|Comments Off on Ordering steel sections and sandwich panels that fit together
Read More

Parapet flashings for sandwich panels – detailing the layers beneath the cap

The parapet flashing covers the top of the wall and connects to the roof detail. In a building with sandwich panels, the specified arrangement of insulation and seals must be maintained. A wide sheet on top of the wall alone does not describe the whole solution. Its slope, support, connections and edges all matter. Corners and points where the parapet changes height require particular attention. The outer and roof sides of the parapet are subject to different conditions. One side may be a façade, the other a roof covering with its sealing. The flashing must work with both surfaces. Dimensions should be determined from a section, not only from the façade view.

By |2026-11-15T03:33:20+01:002026-10-02|Construction basics|Comments Off on Parapet flashings for sandwich panels – detailing the layers beneath the cap
Read More

How sandwich panels and prefabrication change the building process

Prefabrication of sandwich panels moves part of the work to the factory, but success depends on closing the design early rather than on assembly alone. Above all, the building owner and contractor should check that structural dimensions, openings and delivery sequence are consistent with one another. A finished panel reduces work on site, yet it requires earlier decisions on lengths, thicknesses and finish. It is also worth establishing where the function of the enclosure ends and the load-bearing structure begins. These choices, rather than the technology itself, determine the real benefits and limitations of the method.

By |2026-11-14T23:28:04+01:002026-10-01|Construction basics|Comments Off on How sandwich panels and prefabrication change the building process
Read More