A strategy for the recovery of the building stock in Slovakia imposes obligations and proposals to provide additional investment for renovation with a view to 2020, aiming at further reduction of energy consumption of buildings and reducing the consumption of natural fuel resources. Maintenance of existing External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) remains without system solutions, using chemical methods for disposal of microorganisms. Environmental impacts at a price of current sociological needs are not known and detected. Principles of sustainability must be regarded as the starting point when applying the concept of ETICS maintenance.

The paper has the ambition to point out the validation of conceptual and a strategic reasoning in the design of solution of “green façade” with external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS). The text deals with selected information derived from long-term research on contamination of ETICS by biological materials (mostly unicellular organisms - algae). The paper concludes with a draft of decision-making process.

Abstract. Effects of microorganisms on building facades are responsible for aesthetic, bio-geophysical and biogeochemical deterioration. The process of cleaning of contaminated facades involves the removal and eradication of micro flora on the surface of insulation using chemical products, killing cells and eliminating all living mass, including organic ingredients. The removal of bio corrosion coating from ETICS structure by means of chemical and preservative substances (biocides) is currently the only effective and most used technology. Uncontrolled leaching of the used biocides is unacceptable. Meantime, new technology for environmentally safe maintenance of ETICS is needed. Scientists have been working on replacement the biocides currently used in facades treatment with eco-friendly biocides that have no negative effects on the environment or human beings. While the eco-treatment will be available, safe dewatering of chemicals being leached from the surface of the facade could be provided by e.g. special drain systems adjusted to the building type, use and age. The paper gives an overview of the problem in context of Slovakia and examples of leaching systems designed for new and renovated buildings.

The higher the acoustical quality of the door leaf the greater the influence of the bottom gap on the resultant sound insulation of the door. If the design of the door bottom joint and the seal is not correct, any construction of the door leaf in order to increase sound insulation can be ineffective. The greatest influence on sound transmission of the door has the gap with the greatest width a door bottom joint. Modern ways of the sealing of the doorsill gap are able to provide required sound insulation of the door.

The article presents environmental analysis of a detached house in terms of its life cycle. The analysis is simplified in order to compare the built and operational energy of the building whereas the operational energy is described using computer aided building performance simulation. The input data related to the built (embodied) energy are based on information from classical works on life cycle analysis. The article also justifies the simplification of environmental analysis, which aims to build pragmatically on existing standardization and legislation on energy performance of buildings. The final section provides some considerations concerning the environmental assessment of buildings.