At a glance
- 🧱 Insulation (EWI): Poland is a major producer of EPS and mineral wool. Prices are often 30% lower, fully compliant with SEAI grant requirements.
- 🏠 Roofing & Membranes: High-quality roofing films and metal sheets are a top export category.
- 📜 Certification: All structural materials from Poland carry the CE Mark and Declaration of Performance (DoP), legally accepted by Irish Building Control.
- 🚛 Logistics: Heavy materials are best shipped in Full Truck Loads (24 tonnes) directly to the site to maximize savings.
Why look beyond the local builder's provider?
Every quantity surveyor knows that the "core shell" materials eat up a huge chunk of the budget. While heavy blocks and cement should be bought locally (due to transport weight), lighter high-value materials are perfect for importing.
In 2026, Irish contractors are increasingly sourcing insulation, membranes, and finishing products from Poland. Here is why.
1. External Wall Insulation (EWI) Systems
With the push for retrofitting in Ireland, EWI is in high demand. Polish systems (like Ceresit, Atlas, or Bolix) are widely used across Europe.
- Cost: You can often buy a complete system (adhesive, mesh, primer, render) for significantly less than local rates.
- Standard: As long as the system has an ETA (European Technical Assessment) or NSAI Agrément equivalence, it passes inspection.
2. Roofing & Membranes
Poland produces vast quantities of construction films (vapor barriers, breathable membranes).
- The Opportunity: These products are light but high-value. You can fit enough membrane for 50 houses on a few pallets, making the shipping cost per unit negligible.
- Metal Roofing: Standing seam cladding and modular metal tiles are also a specialty.
3. Finishing: Tiles & Flooring
Poland is one of the top 3 ceramic tile producers in the EU (brands like Tubądzin, Paradyż).
- Design: They offer Italian-style large format slabs at a fraction of the Italian price.
- Availability: While Irish stockists might have a 4-week wait for specific tiles, Polish factories often ship from stock within days.
4. The Critical Part: Standards (CE & DoP)
"Is it certified?" This is the first question your engineer will ask. The answer is Yes. Poland and Ireland operate under the exact same Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
- CE Mark: Mandatory for all construction products sold in the EU.
- DoP (Declaration of Performance): Every pallet we ship comes with this document in English, proving the technical characteristics (fire rating, thermal conductivity, etc.).
5. Logistics for Heavy Materials
Importing materials requires smart logistics.
- Don't ship air: We mix light items (insulation) with heavy items (tiles/adhesive) to maximize the truck's weight limit (24 tonnes).
- Site Access: We coordinate with your site manager to ensure there is a forklift or teleporter ready to offload the truck immediately upon arrival.
Summary
You don't need to import everything. Buy your blocks and sand in Ireland. But for insulation, roofing, and finishes, looking to Poland can save your project thousands of Euros without compromising on specs.
Need a price comparison? Send us your material list, and we will price it up against your local quote.