Minister Hogan launches Cosihomes offices and IS0 certifications
Leading external insulation and plastering specialists Derchil/CosiHomes have been certified under three quality management systems, the company has announced at the launch of their new offices in Ashbourne, Co Meath.
The company – whose residential arm Cosihomes are a market-leading external insulation applicator – were presented with certifications including ISO 9001 for quality management systems, ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 18001 for healthy and safety management.
Speaking at the launch event, environment minister Phil Hogan TD said: “The very fact that a company dealing mainly with private one-off projects is willing to invest so heavily in time and money to ensure that their clients receive the best project possible is a tribute to them. With the excellent controls they have in place, it is up to the rest of the industry to follow suit and match their devotion to the client.”
Pictured at the launch are (l-r) CosiHomes’ Dermot Byrne, environment minister Phil Hogan TD and CosiHomes’ Paddy Sweeney
The event – which was attended by representatives of industry including the SEAI, Certification Europe,Éasca, Energy Action and the National Insulation Association of Ireland – tookplace in CosiHomes’new offices, which include a three storey external insulation display and a contractor training area.
“Their dedication to the market with these wonderful showrooms, and their devotion to pushing their standards higher with their training areais obvious for everyone to see,” said Minister Hogan. “They have raised the level to which other companies in the sector should aspire, and I hope that other companies will take up their challenge and put quality and people’s needs at the heart of their business plans.”
“I have no doubt that this sector will be one of the shining lights as we come out of these tough times and that CosiHomes will be leading the line in that respect.”
Derchil/CosiHomes, who are approved members of Éasca and NSAI registered installers of external insulation systems from ParexLanko and Ceresit, chose the event to announce a partnership with the Irish Cancer Society, the national charity for cancer care in Ireland.
With the benefit of ParexLanko and Ceresit systems, Cosihomes can offer a broad range of finishes includes mineral and acrylic renders — both available in a wide variety of colours and textures — as well as brick slips, which are currently awaiting certification.
CosiHomes' Paddy Sweeney told The Star he typically recommends mineral render as it offers better breathability, durability, impact resistance and fire proofing. He said it also allows for a greater variety of finishes — including dashing, ashlar cuts and coinstones — because of its thicker finish coat, including dashing.
"We have public open days where potential clients can come in and see and feel the products," Sweeney said. "In the showroom we can easily explain the difference between different types of insulation and finishes."
He said that because ParexLanko systems are new to the Irish market, the showrooms give people an opportunity to see all the various components. The facility is particularly geared towards architects and engineers, to provide a chance to see the products before specifying and inform them of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Paddy Sweeney stressed the importance of external insulation being installed as a composite system, with all the components ― insulation, basecoat, mesh, fixings and finish ― designed to work together. REP Ltd — distributers for ParexLanko in Ireland — are the NSAI Agrément certificate holders.
CosiHomes' Dermot Byrne also told The Star that the company will launch some "exciting" new ParexLanko products to the Irish market in the coming months. The company is currently working as a contractor on SEAI's Warmer Homes Scheme, providing full energy upgrades to households experiencing fuel poverty. "From a humanitarian point of view it's fantastic work and we're happy to be involved," Paddy Sweeney said.
ParexLanko external insulation systems have been installed in Europe for almost 30 years. Sweeney emphasised that because CosiHomes, REP Ltd and ParexLanko "stand shoulder to shoulder", this offers clients a "unique opportunity to deal with one point of contact and responsibility, copper fastening quality assurance and guarantees."
