Why hasn't this been done before?
It has. The Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) industry has been around for over thirty years. Now, because of Climate Change, people are noticing. Modern Methods of Construction is becoming a catch phrase, and what we did was ensure that this method of construction would be cost effective so developers and designers would be interested, while maintaining high quality and environmentally responsible use of materials. Please click on the 'What makes Mantle different' topic on the right for further information.
 

   
Who are your competitors?
The whole of the SIP industry, brick-and-block and the timber industry.
  

   
How do I know that this is not so much blarney?
We have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of awards that identify the benefits of our system to builders, developers and the environment, and have achieved certification for ease of mortgages. Please click on the Awards, Design Values and Testing topics for further information.
  

   
There's so many ways to build responsibly, why do you bother?
We agree, there are some perfectly good competitive systems out there provided by some very good companies. There are also some that are not so good. Basically, we looked at this from a different perspective; how can we create a cost effective product that will be purchased based on price alone, while ensuring that it is environmentally responsible, energy efficient, simple to erect and affordable for most? This way we take the thinking out of the equation on behalf of our clients, allowing them to concentrate on the bottom line and hopefully source sustainable materials and goods to go into a Mantle thermal structure.
  

   
How long have you been around?
Testing started at BRE in 1999, and this company was incorporated in 2001.
  

   
Why haven't I heard of this before?
Five years of testing, engineering, being innovative, more engineering and further testing and initial erection of showcases takes time, money and a lot of communication with the industry. One of the leading house builders in the country, for instance, advised us to make the product available as a Building System, rather than just components for use. Some of our 'great' ideas were thrown out as being too advanced, while others were refined to meet builders' expectations, but as a team, we have the whole building industry to thank for their cooperation as we ended up with a simple system that can be erected, under supervision, by semi-skilled labour, and is now on the market.
  

   
Who do you think you are?
We are environmentally conscientious individuals from the building industry, land development industry, the top of the banking industry, the manufacturing industry, innovators, engineers, diplomats and a great bunch of guys on site that will create the warmest, quietest, strongest environmentally responsible home for you and your descendants. Who are you?.
  

   
Where can I go see one?
That depends upon what you mean; single domestic dwellings, terraced homes, apartment buildings... Normally, the owner of a home does not want strangers driving by staring at their home, nor do we advocate any single design as your design can be as great as your imagination, and Planning of course. Finished buildings made through the use of the Mantle Building System looks just like any other building on the street, so what is accomplished? We can arrange controlled visits under supervision with Site Managers' permission for registered builders, but if you just want to understand more through seeing, please click on the Films tab on the right.