ᐅ Difference in Soundproofing Between a Solid (Masonry) House and a Prefabricated (Modular) House?
Created on: 18 Aug 2017 16:05
O
OliverK
Hello dear forum,
We are a family of four planning to build a single-family house in Ingolstadt by the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018. We are still at the very beginning and are currently looking for the best building partner for us (if anyone has a recommendation in this region, we would be very happy to hear it!). The first major decision is whether to choose a general contractor or an architect, and whether to build a prefabricated house using timber construction or a solid masonry house built with bricks.
We have done a lot of research and have realized that the most important difference for us between a solid masonry house with bricks and a prefabricated timber house is sound insulation. This is supposed to be better in a masonry house and is an important point for us since we have two small children.
The question is how big this difference really is. Bien-Zenker (our current favorite for prefabricated timber houses) also offers a hybrid wall called “EFFIZIENZHAUS 40 KLIMA-MASSIVWAND,” which combines timber and brick elements. Does this mean there is practically no difference compared to a traditional solid masonry house? Or is this just marketing hype?
Regarding indoor climate, our current understanding is that there is not much difference between brick construction and timber construction since modern new builds are airtight anyway, and it mainly depends on a good ventilation system. Therefore, sound insulation seems to be the last major difference, especially since both types of construction are supposed to be similar in price.
Could you please shed some light on this for us?
Thank you and best regards,
Oliver
We are a family of four planning to build a single-family house in Ingolstadt by the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018. We are still at the very beginning and are currently looking for the best building partner for us (if anyone has a recommendation in this region, we would be very happy to hear it!). The first major decision is whether to choose a general contractor or an architect, and whether to build a prefabricated house using timber construction or a solid masonry house built with bricks.
We have done a lot of research and have realized that the most important difference for us between a solid masonry house with bricks and a prefabricated timber house is sound insulation. This is supposed to be better in a masonry house and is an important point for us since we have two small children.
The question is how big this difference really is. Bien-Zenker (our current favorite for prefabricated timber houses) also offers a hybrid wall called “EFFIZIENZHAUS 40 KLIMA-MASSIVWAND,” which combines timber and brick elements. Does this mean there is practically no difference compared to a traditional solid masonry house? Or is this just marketing hype?
Regarding indoor climate, our current understanding is that there is not much difference between brick construction and timber construction since modern new builds are airtight anyway, and it mainly depends on a good ventilation system. Therefore, sound insulation seems to be the last major difference, especially since both types of construction are supposed to be similar in price.
Could you please shed some light on this for us?
Thank you and best regards,
Oliver
OliverK schrieb:
Does that mean a prefabricated house with drywall construction like Bien-Zenker and a solid masonry house built "brick by brick" hardly differ in quality and living comfort (including sound insulation) in the end, if you hire a good construction company with skilled craftsmen and a competent construction manager, [...]
Can this be roughly summarized like this?Yes, it can.OliverK schrieb:
I am still open to both construction methods. I’m currently trying to narrow down the large number of possible providers (solid masonry houses, prefabricated houses, architects),There are more than two, and especially “solid” and “prefabricated” are not opposites: Some prefab manufacturers also fully prepare brick walls in the factory hall (and pre-dry them). With such wall panels, the “construction time” is just as short, whether they consist of wooden or masonry structures.OliverK schrieb:
Personal recommendations would of course help enormously here.In my opinion, the two most important recommendations for solid masonry construction are: “choose a contractor from the local region” (which logically means that a recommendation from Holstein is hardly useful for Ingolstadt), and: “choose one who knows the building material well.” If you are set on bricks, a contractor specialized in aerated concrete (or vice versa) is not the best choice. They will do their usual routine without considering which details might need to be adapted. The same applies to monolithic construction versus external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS). Whatever preference you have, the contractor should share it. As you yourself say:OliverK schrieb:
When a Schwörer house builds a design from Bien-Zenker or Bayerische Massivhaus builds a free architect’s design, it doesn’t feel quite right. It seems the company architects always design what their own company can build best.Solid masonry builders are typically relatively small and regional, while prefab manufacturers operate nationwide. For example, Baumeister is a cooperation of solid masonry builders. Or Hebel offers a wide range of building kit types.
OliverK schrieb:
then ideally get a rough draft of our house on our plot (we already have concrete ideas and example houses as templates)You can already show your plot and examples here, as that can provide clues on what and whom to recommend. Pictures can be uploaded here; external links cannot, but you can mention model names.There are definitely providers who are better at slab-on-ground houses and others who have well-established cooperation with cellar builders. Depending on the slope of the land, you are not always free in the cellar issue.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
OliverK schrieb:
My feeling is that the person who designs the plan should ideally be the one to build it. If a Schwörerhaus builds a design from Bien-Zenker or Bayerische Massivhaus builds a design from an independent architect, it doesn’t quite feel right. It seems that company architects always design what their own company can build best. For anything else, there’s a risk that the builder says “Sure, no problem,” but actually has to stretch themselves to make it work.
@tomtom79: Have you built with Schwörerhaus? If yes: When, where, and are you satisfied? Very straightforward and simple, everything is well organized, and any complaints after handover were resolved within a maximum of 6 weeks. The exterior arrangement of the windows could have been given more attention, but this was due to our floor plan; however, it fits well on the inside.
When it comes to solid construction, I want to strongly emphasize 11ants’ advice to think locally. Honestly, our build is going very smoothly. The general contractor is based about 20 km (12 miles) away. He only works with tradespeople from the region, although the homeowner is certainly allowed to make requests that are fulfilled if the price is reasonable. He handles a lot himself in-house: civil engineering, structural work, roofing, carpentry, joinery, and tiling. Everyone knows each other and coordinates via messages. It’s working well, minor issues happen, but no disasters.
Next door, a company from outside the region is also doing solid construction. They started earthworks four weeks before us. Masonry began in January; the house is a similar size but still has no doors or toilets installed. Rusty, very old vans arrived carrying rough crews with no company signs, attempting tasks they shouldn’t be doing. The site looks messy, nobody takes responsibility, and the site manager seems to want to remain anonymous. The paintwork inside is tolerable in some places but disastrous in others. The two somewhat older homeowners are very stressed. And it’s not cheap either; the only low-cost workers are subcontractors who snatch skilled laborers every morning at the train station. Be warned. Local only, nothing else. Karsten
Next door, a company from outside the region is also doing solid construction. They started earthworks four weeks before us. Masonry began in January; the house is a similar size but still has no doors or toilets installed. Rusty, very old vans arrived carrying rough crews with no company signs, attempting tasks they shouldn’t be doing. The site looks messy, nobody takes responsibility, and the site manager seems to want to remain anonymous. The paintwork inside is tolerable in some places but disastrous in others. The two somewhat older homeowners are very stressed. And it’s not cheap either; the only low-cost workers are subcontractors who snatch skilled laborers every morning at the train station. Be warned. Local only, nothing else. Karsten
11ant schrieb:
You can already share the plot and examples here, as they can provide useful ideas about what and who to recommend. You can upload pictures here, but not external links; however, you can mention model names.Of course, gladly! Attached is a photo of the plot.
On the neighboring plot to the left behind the hedge, there is now a new single-family house up to whose building line we are allowed to build according to §34, so about the first two-thirds of the plot are buildable. To the right is a field. Everything is very flat. The total area is 1,018 sqm (10,960 sq ft). We are planning a two-story single-family house (ground floor and upper floor) with a total living area of 250–300 sqm (2,690–3,230 sq ft), plus a double garage, terrace, and pool.
Also, here are some examples of houses we really like. Most are from Bien-Zenker; we like almost all of their houses. Our favorite is the Concept-M 211.
Thanks again to everyone for the many great tips!
R
R.Hotzenplotz22 Aug 2017 22:31We had also once considered the seventh house in the development. But finding a floor plan that suits our needs would have been difficult.
The combination of the terrace and pool in the sixth house is really great! It definitely makes you want to live there!
The combination of the terrace and pool in the sixth house is really great! It definitely makes you want to live there!
OliverK schrieb:
Of course, gladly! Attached is a picture of the plot. From the aerial view, I estimate that, besides being flat, it’s also quite level?
Is that what you mean regarding the development (and all the existing buildings that will be removed)?
R.Hotzenplotz schrieb:
We also once considered the seventh house in the development. With this Heinz von Heiden Arcus WD, you can clearly see the roof overhangs and parapet thicknesses that I find aesthetically appropriate: at the top, for the hipped roof, slightly more than what remains in front of the bay window; and below, you see a good overhang and sufficient parapet thickness typical for a flat roof, where the balcony protrudes. Each dimension is roughly half compared to your previous spaceship-like flat roof.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
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