GLAPOR cellular glass: Thermal insulation & lightweight construction material
Cellular glass gravel and cellular glass boards are sustainable high-performance building materials ideal as load-bearing insulation, ecological flat roof insulation or circular building structures.
GLAPOR cellular glass consists of 100% recycled glass, is extremely durable, DGNB QS4-certified,
QNG-ready.
cellular glass impresses with its simple, fast processing and reusability – an efficient and economical solution.
cellular glass retains its shape and properties for generations – non-combustible, waterproof and pest-resistant.
cellular glass insulation reduces heating costs and guarantees lifelong thermal insulation properties for energy-efficient buildings.
Our cellular glass products
GLAPOR cellular glass boards
Extremely pressure-resistant (up to 1600 kPa), non-combustible (A1), rot-proof, waterproof, vapor-proof and rodent-proof. Lifelong sustainable and safe insulation with cellular glass boards made from 100% recycled glass.
GLAPOR cellular glass gravel
Lightweight, non-combustible (A1), pressure-resistant, water-resistant and capillary-breaking. Quick to install, permanently insulating and rot-proof – ideal for traffic areas, building foundations and structural lightweight construction.
GLAPOR RDS combination perimeter system
Safe, fast, moisture-resistant and thermally insulating: dimensionally stable formwork elements and load-bearing gravel made of 100 % recycled glass – pre-assembled for fast processing and a high level of construction safety.
Not sure which product
is the right one for you?
GLAPOR experts
GLAPOR experts
+49 (0) 9633-400769-0
technik@glapor.de
GLAPOR Urban Mining Smart Roof
The first removable, ecological flat roof system with GLAPOR cellular glass boards. Quick and easy installation without bitumen, also ideal under green roofs. Easy to dismantle – perfect for circular construction methods.
GLAPOR Urban Mining base plate
The world’s first 100% circular floor slab without concrete and without XPS. Quick to install – no shuttering, no stripping, no concrete transportation. Insulates reliably, supports up to 68 t/m² and saves up to 95 % CO₂.
Leading architects & planners rely on GLAPOR cellular glass
Ecological building and renovation has never been easierApplications ofGLAPOR cellular glass
Flat roof insulation with cellular glass
➡️ non-combustible, pressure-resistant & permanently moisture-resistant
Floor insulation in old buildings with cellular glass gravel
➡️ Moisture-resistant, durable & ecological
Plinth insulation with cellular glass boards
➡️ moisture-resistant & non-combustible
Traffic route substructure with cellular glass gravel
➡️ Extremely light & highly resilient
Insulate basements safely with cellular glass
➡️ Safe, pressure-resistant & watertight for generations
High-performance cover for underground storage tanks (PTES)
➡️ Seasonal energy storage & thermal insulation
Sports field substructure with cellular glass
➡️ Lightweight, thermally insulating & highly resilient
Insulation for trafficable roofs/parking decks
➡️ Permanently compression-free, pressure-resistant & chemical-resistant
Insulation of the floor slab
➡️ Ecological, dimensionally stable, pressure-resistant, waterproof & rodent-resistant
Basement floor insulation with cellular glass
GLAPOR cellular glass boards insulate the basement floor reliably and QNG-ready. Approved by the DIBT as load-bearing thermal insulation and tested by the Sentinel Haus Institute. Thanks to the extremely pressure-resistant properties of up to 1600 kPa (nominal pressure resistance), even particularly complex construction sites such as hospitals, apartment buildings or commercial buildings can be planned without any problems – even in pressurized groundwater up to 12 m deep.
Insulating basement walls with cellular glass boards
GLAPOR Schaumglasplatten dämmen Kellerwände dauerhaft und sicher. Durch die wasserdichten Eigenschaften von GLAPOR wird das Gebäude zusätzlich zur Abdichtung nach DIN 18533 durch Schaumglasplatten geschützt. Übrigens: Ein Auffeuchten der Glapor Dämmung ist nicht möglich – und auch Ameisen und Mäuse können dem Dämmstoff nichts anhaben.
Basement ceiling insulation with cellular glass boards
GLAPOR cellular glass boards are ideal for insulating basement ceilings – both in traditional basements and in underground garages and parking decks.
They create a reliable thermal separation between heated living and utility areas and the unheated rooms below. Thanks to their closed-cell structure, GLAPOR boards remain permanently pressure-resistant, dimensionally stable and insensitive to moisture.
The result: a warmer floor in the living area, noticeably lower heat losses and a permanently energy-efficient building – even with demanding uses such as parking traffic or high moisture loads.
Insulating earth basin storage tanks with cellular glass
GLAPOR cellular glass boards play a decisive role in the efficient covering and thermal insulation of underground thermal energy storage systems (TES). Thanks to their waterproof and vapor-tight characteristics, cellular glass boards have important properties for the planning of energy storage systems – especially with regard to so-called dual-use systems with surface use. One example of their successful use is the underground storage tank in Meldorf, which stores 50 million liters of water to provide sustainable heat for the winter.
Building an earth cellar with cellular glass
An underground cellar with GLAPOR cellular glass offers a constant climate, high compressive strength and durability. The purely mineral boards are dimensionally stable, rot-proof and can be completely dismantled. Talk to us!
Insulating the floor slab with cellular glass
GLAPOR offers two proven solutions for insulating the floor slab:
- Laying pressure-resistant cellular glass boards directly under the floor slab
- or the RDS system made of cellular glass gravel with additional edge insulation formwork.
Both variants enable a thermal bridge-free foundation, are permanently water-resistant and remain dimensionally stable and pressure-resistant – even under high loads.
A sustainable, long-lasting solution for buildings with high demands on energy efficiency, ecology and durability.
Plinth insulation with cellular glass
GLAPOR offers optimum cellular glass solutions for plinth insulation: permanently water-resistant, non-combustible and pressure-resistant. The closed-cell structure reliably protects the transition between the plinth and the ground against heat loss, moisture, fire and mechanical loads.
GLAPOR cellular glass boards ensure a thermal bridge-free design in the splash water area and reliably prevent moisture damage. A durable, rodent-resistant, safe and physically correct solution – ideal for energy-efficient new builds and renovations.
Urban Mining base plate UMB 1
The Urban Mining Floor Slab UMB 1 is a sustainable, completely concrete-free building floor slab made from 100% recycled glass. It combines a load-bearing floor slab and thermal insulation in one component – pressure-resistant, dimensionally stable, waterproof and easily reusable.
The unique construction without concrete creates an ecological foundation that does not require time-consuming construction site traffic and can be completely dismantled at the end of its useful life. The UMB 1 enables climate-friendly, circular construction according to the cradle-to-cradle principle – ideal for ecological new buildings and projects with high sustainability requirements.
Insulation and filling material in road construction, gardening and landscaping, pipeline construction
GLAPOR cellular glass gravel is the ideal filling and insulating material for traffic route, garden and pipeline construction: lightweight, pressure-resistant, moisture-resistant and permanently dimensionally stable. It improves drainage, reduces loads and forms a secure base even on substrates with low load-bearing capacity.
In gardening and landscaping, cellular glass gravel is also ideal for modeling terrain profiles and for the construction of green roofs.
Elevated tank and tank insulation
GLAPOR cellular glass boards provide permanently safe insulation for tanks, elevated tanks and industrial facilities. They are completely non-combustible (building material class A1), pressure-resistant, dimensionally stable and waterproof and vapour-tight – ideal for applications where long-term durability and operational safety are paramount.
The closed-cell structure reliably protects against moisture. This ensures that the insulation performance is permanently maintained. GLAPOR cellular glass is resistant to ageing and is suitable for industrial containers in the food, chemical, energy and process industries.
Interior insulation
GLAPOR cellular glass boards insulate interior walls safely and permanently. The cellular glass material is moisture-resistant, mold-resistant, dimensionally stable and non-combustible.
This makes cellular glass ideal for renovating old buildings, basements and sensitive listed buildings, where other insulation materials reach their physical limits. The boards are easy to process, offer stable long-term insulation values and are made from 100% recycled glass.
Wall constructions & greenhouses
For walls made of cellular glass for structures such as garden sheds or greenhouses, GLAPOR cellular glass wall constructions offer a permanently safe and ecological solution. The cellular glass boards are pressure-resistant and moisture-resistant and remain dimensionally stable even with permanently high soil moisture.
Rot-proof and pest-proof, they offer natural protection against rodents – a decisive advantage in professional greenhouse and horticulture.
Thanks to its low dead weight, the foundation can be made from pressure-resistant cellular glass without drying times and almost regardless of the weather.
At the end of their useful life, the cellular glass boards can be sorted, dismantled and reused. A durable, climate-stable foundation solution made from 100% recycled glass – ideal for wall constructions and modern greenhouses for private and commercial use.
Insulation for leak-proof compact roofs with cellular glass
GLAPOR cellular glass boards made from 100% recycled glass are permanently waterproof and vapor-tight. For compact roofs, they are fully bonded to the base layer with hot bitumen. This creates a closed, leak-proof structure that reliably prevents water from penetrating and seeping underneath (flat roof guidelines must be observed).
The boards remain dimensionally stable, watertight and non-combustible – even under high loads or changing temperatures. The result is a safe roof structure with a long service life. Leakage control or monitoring systems can be integrated as an option to ensure maximum operational safety.
Ideal for high-security roofs, laboratories, data centers and projects with the highest requirements for fire protection and impermeability.
Pressure-resistant, walkable flat roof insulation for gravel/green roofs, parking decks etc. with cellular glass
GLAPOR cellular glass boards are the ideal solution for heavy-duty flat roofs – from gravel and green roofs to terraces, parking decks and photovoltaic systems. With nominal compressive strengths of up to 1,600 kPa, they can permanently bear high loads without deforming or losing insulation performance.
The sheets are non-combustible (building material class A1), completely waterproof and vapor-tight and dimensionally stable in the long term. This means that the roof structure remains safe and functionally stable even under intensively greened flat roofs, sensitive technical installations or in heavy rain.
Removable flat roof insulation with GLAPOR UMS Roof
The GLAPOR Urban Mining Smart Roof is the first cellular glass roof system that can be installed without adhesive or hot bitumen. The cellular glass boards are laid loosely on a leveling layer and combined with a classic flat roof construction under gravel. This creates a removable and reusable roof structure.
GLAPOR cellular glass boards are lightweight, dimensionally stable, permanently waterproof and vapor-tight and non-combustible. As no bonding is required, the functional layers can be removed at the end of their useful life and recycled. The UMS Roof System therefore meets the highest requirements for urban mining, circular economy and cradle-to-cradle guidelines.
Highlight projects with GLAPOR cellular glass
Tversted House
World's first foundation without concrete & steel: The Tversted House is built on 100% GLAPOR cellular glass - bio-based, pressure-resistant, circular.
Stenmark greenhouse
GLAPOR cellular glass carries one of the most climate-friendly restaurants in the world - sustainable right down to the foundations.
Frankfurt Terminal 3
Europe's largest construction site relies on GLAPOR cellular glass - high-performance insulation for heavy-duty roofs with 100% recycled glass.
Zugspitze
Zugspitze: Germany's highest point relies on GLAPOR cellular glass - safely insulated despite extreme weather and crowds of visitors.
Soccer stadium Warsaw
GLAPOR cellular glass boards insulate the National Stadium Narodowy - pressure-resistant, thermally insulating and permanently efficient.
Clinic Mainz
ZMK Mainz relies on GLAPOR cellular glass - safe insulation for sensitive hospital areas,
operating theaters and technical facilities.
CRCL HUT Berlin
No concrete, no XPS, no bitumen - 100% urban mining: GLAPOR cellular glass boards form the foundation and roof of the CRCLR Hut.
Benedictine Abbey Seckau
GLAPOR cellular glass gravel protects the church floor in the Seckau Basilica - dry, ecological and in keeping with the preservation order.
Urban mining innovations with GLAPOR cellular glass
Builders who rely on GLAPOR cellular glass
Instead of just talking about sustainable construction, we put it into practice with the "FamilyLab" on behalf of the LWL: With GLAPOR cellular glass, we were able to create Germany's first public building without concrete - and show how a real building turnaround works.
- Architect and Stell. Uni.-Prof. Marc Günnewig
Only when materials can be separated by type can real material cycles be created. We are particularly enthusiastic about cellular glass - thanks to its unlimited recyclability and versatile applications, for example as a replacement for petroleum-based insulation materials or concrete.
- Lukas Freitag, architect at graadwies
Our main focus is on creating architecture with the smallest possible CO2 footprint. That's why we mainly work with bio-based materials. (...) By using GLAPOR cellular glass, we were able to completely dispense with concrete and steel in the foundations.
- Jonas Aarsø, architect at nikolova/aarsø architect
Circular construction starts at the planning stage: By involving circular products and partners, such as GLAPOR, early on in the planning process, we develop efficient, environmentally friendly and reusable buildings with a positive footprint.
- Marvin Bratke, Managing Partner Beta Realities, CRCLR Hut planning office
With the CRCLR HUT, together with GLAPOR and many other innovative partners, we have proven that circular construction is practical, fast and cost-effective. This is not a trend, but the future of construction.
- Lewin Fricke,Head of Public Relations at TRIQBRIQ
Circular construction for a sustainable future
Hardly any other sector influences resource consumption and CO₂ emissions as strongly as the construction industry. This makes it all the more urgent to not only rethink – but to consistently “retrade”.
Building materials are more than just materials: they are often produced from finite resources in an energy-intensive process. Their use and disposal determine the sustainability of our building culture – an idea that has guided GLAPOR since its foundation.
As a pioneer in the industry, we manufacture cellular glass boards from 100% recycled glass – economical, ecological, durable. Complemented by cellular glass gravel, the result is an integrated system for insulation and lightweight construction – unique in terms of material logic and design freedom.
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More InformationPopular in demanding construction projects of leading organizations
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Sources of supply GLAPOR Schaumglas international
Switzerland
HGC
Marc Lorenz
Category Management Baustoffe
D +41 44 296 62 88
M +41 79 344 97 75
Marc.lorenz@hgc.ch
Ireland
Roundtower Lime
Paul Alan Cardona
Technical Advisor Roundtower
Lime +353 21 477 6677 | +353 83 447 6205 paul@roundtowerlime.com
Czech Republic
KOVOSTEEL
Marek Bednar
+420730806262 bednar@kovostell.cz
Italy
BACCHI
+39 0522 686080 info@bacchispa.it
Sweden
Cellglas Sweden AB
+46 40 6900120
info@cellglas.com
UK
Ty-Mawr (gravel)
+44 1874 611350
tymawr@lime.org.uk
Construction Innovation Agency (boards)
John Pearson Mier
Director
+44 (0)333 577 0171
+44 (0)7738 056554
John.pearson@c-i-a.co.uk
How high can cellular glass gravel be under the floor slab?
The recommended installation height for GLAPOR cellular glass insulation gravel under floor slabs varies depending on the specific requirements of the construction project. For load-bearing thermal insulation made of GLAPOR cellular glass gravel, the maximum single-layer fill height is 39 cm. This corresponds to a compacted thickness of 30 cm (1:1.3).
For higher fill heights, multi-layer laying with layer-by-layer compaction is required. The minimum thickness of the compacted insulation layer is 15 cm, the maximum thickness is 90 cm. In practice, layer thicknesses of 30 to 50 cm are common.
Is cellular glass expensive: How much does 1 cubic meter of cellular glass (gravel and sheets) cost?
GLAPOR Schaumglas ist im Vergleich zu klassischen EPS- oder XPS-Produkten preislich auf Augenhöhe – aber ohne Kunststoffe und dauerhaft wasserdicht. Die Kosten variieren je nach Produkt (Schotter oder Platte) und Menge.
The big difference is in the life cycle: our cellular glass products are waterproof for life and therefore retain their characteristic properties. This means: invest once, benefit for generations. We will be happy to advise you individually on a specific offer – tailored to your project.
Insulation value: How well does cellular glass insulate and how high is the U-value?
The U-value of a building component is determined by the overall construction and the type and thickness of the insulation used. With a thermal conductivity from 0.048 W/(m-K), GLAPOR cellular glass boards enable reliably low U-values – ENEV-compliant and QNG-ready. A major advantage: cellular glass does not absorb any moisture. This means that the insulating properties are permanently retained – for generations to come. This behavior is unique in the world of insulation materials and makes GLAPOR cellular glass a reliable guarantee for energy-efficient building envelopes.
Is cellular glass hazardous waste?
No, GLAPOR cellular glass consists of 100% recycled glass – in comparison to many competitor products – and is therefore particularly environmentally friendly. It can be easily dismantled, reused or recycled.
Why cellular glass: What are the advantages and disadvantages of cellular glass?
GLAPOR cellular glass is the smart solution for anyone who wants durable, ecological and safe insulation. It is non-combustible (A1), waterproof, pressure-resistant (up to 1,600 kPa) and consists of 100% recycled waste glass – produced regionally, plastic-free and fully recyclable. By the way: QNG-ready certified by the Sentinel Haus Institute.
Whether as boards or gravel: GLAPOR cellular glass insulates permanently, does not rot, does not settle and remains dimensionally stable – a clear advantage over non-waterproof insulation materials.
Application: What do you need cellular glass for?
GLAPOR cellular glass is used as thermal insulation and lightweight construction material to protect buildings against heat loss, fire and moisture.
It is mainly used in flat roof constructions, perimeter areas and urban mining constructions. In addition, GLAPOR cellular glass products are also suitable for use as interior insulation, in industry and in landscaping. Other applications for GLAPOR cellular glass include Insulation of tanks or pipelines, green roofs, soil improvement, courtyard cellar ceilings, drainage and design of public spaces and lightweight construction material in bridge and traffic route construction.
Thanks to their high compressive strength – combined with a very low dead weight – GLAPOR cellular glass products are a reliable and sustainable choice for a wide range of building constructions.
How is cellular glass fixed or laid?
In principle, various types of installation are possible with GLAPOR cellular glass products:
- Classically bonded: Full-surface bonding with hot bitumen or adhesive systems approved by GLAPOR – especially where structural requirements such as the effects of water or wind loads require a force-fit connection.
- Glue-free/loose laid: In numerous projects, GLAPOR cellular glass boards can also be installed loose, without adhesive, on a flat roof or as a floor board.
Particularly innovative: The Urban Mining Smart Roof and the Urban Mining Floor Slab UMB1 are completely adhesive-free – a sustainable and reusable construction solution that is unique in this form.
How pressure-resistant is cellular glass?
Depending on the type, GLAPOR cellular glass boards offer a nominal compressive strength of up to 1,600 kPa and are compression-free.
Depending on the type and compaction, GLAPOR cellular glass gravel can absorb nominal compressive stresses of up to 800 kPa. A special feature is our High Load Construction (HLC) cellular glass gravel for road construction with up to 1500 kPa.
Can cellular glass be used as a floor slab?
Yes, GLAPOR offers a sustainable and completely concrete-free solution with the Urban Mining Floor Slab (UMB1). The construction consists of cellular glass boards made from 100% recycled glass – ecological and circular.
This innovative 2-in-1 solution combines a load-bearing shell and thermal insulation in one system, replacing both the classic concrete floor slab and the usual XPS insulation.
The award-winning design is fully recyclable and meets the highest requirements for cradle-to-cradle and reuse capability.
Your benefit: With the UMB1, you save up to 95% CO₂, up to 20% of the costs and 50% of the construction time compared to reinforced concrete floor slabs with XPS insulation.
How do you cut cellular glass?
GLAPOR cellular glass boards can be cut to size using commercially available sawing tools such as a foxtail. This enables simple and precise adaptation to the structural conditions.
The offcuts are ecologically harmless.
Can cellular glass gravel be used as drainage?
Yes, GLAPOR cellular glass gravel is ideal as a drainage layer or as insulation for pipelines (including district heating) in civil engineering.
Is cellular glass waterproof?
GLAPOR cellular glass boards and the grains of GLAPOR cellular glass gravel are absolutely waterproof. Thanks to its closed-cell structure, cellular glass does not absorb water – neither by diffusion nor by soaking up. This makes cellular glass particularly suitable for use in areas in contact with the ground.
It retains its insulating performance and dimensional stability even in permanently damp conditions. GLAPOR cellular glass boards are approved as perimeter insulation up to 12 m immersion depth, even in pressurized water.
Construction height and minimum thickness: How many cm of cellular glass gravel do I need?
The required minimum thickness of an insulation layer made of GLAPOR cellular glass gravel is determined by the energy requirement calculation according to EnEV or GEG as well as by the specifications of DIN 4108 and depends on the respective application.
For installation under floor slabs, layer thicknesses between 15 cm and 90 cm can be provided in the compacted state, with a compaction ratio of 1.3 : 1.0.
A maximum loose fill height of 39 cm can be applied in a single operation, which corresponds to a compacted layer thickness of around 30 cm. For greater construction heights, a multi-layer installation with respective compaction is prescribed.
The actual layer thickness required depends on the structural and building physics requirements. Ideally, the structural engineer or building physicist responsible should carry out the dimensioning.
How is cellular glass gravel compacted?
GLAPOR cellular glass gravel is compacted like natural aggregates (chippings, gravel) using commercially available vibratory plates (see recommendation). The equipment used should weigh between 90 and 150 kg; heavier machines are not suitable for processing.
Installation is carried out in layers: A maximum of 39 cm per layer may be laid loose, which is then compacted to around 30 cm. The mechanical interlocking of the cellular glass grains creates a highly load-bearing thermal insulation.
Proof of the correct compaction ratio is provided by documenting the compaction dimension(compaction and installation log (click here)): Load plate compression tests cannot be carried out reliably on cellular glass gravel.