The RE2020 environmental regulations, fully in force since 2022, continue to set their benchmarks. In 2026, they will apply to new building types, and their carbon emission thresholds will be progressively strengthened until 2028. For future owners and builders alike, one question is crucial: which materials and construction systems truly allow compliance without sacrificing contemporary design?
Flat-roofed houses made of GRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester) composite material precisely meet these new requirements. Here's why.
RE2020: What will actually change in 2026?
The RE2020 regulation is not limited to the energy performance of a house. It also incorporates the carbon footprint of materials throughout their entire life cycle, from manufacturing to deconstruction. This is what is called LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).
However, a house built with conventional reinforced concrete emits between 425 and 500 kg CO₂ equivalent per m². A house made of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), thanks to its structural lightness and the exceptional durability of the composite, has a much lower carbon footprint.
Another key element for 2026 is the summer comfort indicator, expressed in degree-hours of discomfort (DH). Faced with increasingly frequent heat waves, homes must now demonstrate that they will not become ovens in the summer. Well-designed flat-roofed houses—with roof overhangs, sunshades, or green roofs—perfectly meet this criterion.
The flat roof, the architectural choice of the moment
Flat roof architecture is no longer a designer's whim. It has become the symbol of a well-designed contemporary house: clean lines, clear volumes, large glazed openings, connection with the outside.
In 2026, architectural trends confirm this enthusiasm: future homeowners are looking for houses with strong visual character, a low environmental impact, and the ability to evolve over time. Flat roofs meet all these requirements. They also allow for the possibility of an accessible terrace, a green roof, or the discreet integration of solar panels.
GRP vs concrete vs wood: which best complies with RE2020?
Faced with new regulatory constraints, traditional materials are showing their limitations:
Concrete is heavy, energy-intensive to produce, and its carbon footprint remains high even with optimized formulations.
The wood, Although bio-based and valued in lightweight construction, it remains susceptible to moisture, insects, and fire. It requires regular treatment and has limitations in exposed environments.
The PRFV, It, however, does not rot, does not rust, is not attacked by insects, and requires no structural maintenance for decades. A material that lasts 80 to 100 years without degradation significantly improves its long-term environmental impact.
Modularity in the service of energy efficiency
GRP houses are designed in modules assembled in a workshop before being placed on site. This industrial approach guarantees optimal airtightness and insulation, two key factors for meeting the RE2020 standards.
Unlike traditional construction where on-site defects can compromise airtightness, factory manufacturing ensures a level of precision impossible to achieve otherwise. The result: homes that consume less energy, without compensating with extra insulation.
Compositea Homes — contemporary living ahead of its time
Compositea Homes designs contemporary flat-roofed houses built entirely from GRP composite. Our concept meets all the requirements of the RE2020 standard: low carbon footprint, high thermal performance, guaranteed summer comfort, and structural durability that spans several generations.
Our homes combine striking design—clean lines, large windows, flat roofs—with innovative construction techniques borrowed from the most demanding sectors: aeronautics, boating, and industry. If you plan to build in 2026 or later, consider a home that will still be efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and compliant with regulations 50 years from now.
Compositea Homes means building once, for the long term.
Discover our models on compositea.com →
