ᐅ Cost Comparison: Reinforced Concrete with Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) vs. Brick or Masonry with EIFS

However, there are also structural engineers who tend to be overly cautious. Getting a second opinion is not a bad idea in such cases.

nichts zu schwör schrieb:

There is always an alternative, which might not be obvious to you as a layperson.

Your nonsensical and condescending rambling above is combined with your assumption that everyone here is a layperson. You, however, certainly seem to be one; otherwise, you would be aware that by presenting yourself here as a civil engineer, you are fully liable for your statements without any insurance coverage.

Hello everyone, thanks for the lively discussion—I am still following along.

To clarify: The structural engineer’s statement ("Reinforced concrete would probably be the most sensible choice due to the window openings") was made to our architect after the engineer had the plans for about one or two weeks. How much detailed calculation was involved is questionable. It seemed more like an initial impression after a closer look at the plans. Since we might end up in an unfavorable range regarding the shell construction costs, I wanted to inquire about the costs of alternatives compared to reinforced concrete.

Thanks again for the opinions. Our architect has another appointment with the structural engineer soon and will address exactly this. There is also talk of a “skeleton” approach to save costs (meaning steel/reinforced concrete as supports and the rest masonry).

Regarding the exterior wall surface, the costs for such large windows are generally higher than those for the wall per unit area, which also limits potential savings.
The structural engineer will usually calculate a support and offer reinforced concrete as well as a masonry solution as options.
This makes no difference to the structural engineer; the support can also be a steel column embedded in the masonry.
It is always a support because standard masonry cannot carry the increased point load. Especially if the construction is to be done without an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) / external wall insulation, since the load-bearing capacity and thermal mass of masonry units significantly decrease with their insulative properties. See aerated concrete or hollow bricks.

Bauherr am L schrieb:

after the structural engineer had the plans for one or two weeks. How much detailed calculation was actually involved is another question.

If I were a structural engineer, I would probably do it the same way: take a rough look at plans that I can only thoroughly review the week after next, to give some initial suggestions before the exact calculations, indicating which alternatives might be less complex. At least in a long-term client relationship with the architect, I would probably handle it like that.

You asked about

Bauherr am L schrieb:

- reinforced concrete with plastered ETICS
- solid brickwork with plaster
- masonry (e.g. sand-lime brick) with plastered ETICS

... and here I see a brick column primarily as a structural alternative to the concrete column or steel post; in terms of energy efficiency regulation compliance, however, with the difference that the other two options would always be combined with ETICS.

Bauherr am L schrieb:

There is also talk about "skeletonizing" to reduce costs (that is, steel/reinforced concrete as columns and the rest masonry).

I would never have interpreted it differently: of course, I apply the initial question only to those wall sections that more or less concern the reveal areas or lintel supports (respectively adjacent beam supports).

This mix could theoretically also be done with high-density small-format sand-lime bricks as "columns" and porous bricks as "infill" – then possibly without ETICS – or with steel/concrete, then more likely only with ETICS.

I would also like to remind you of my alternative suggestion to critically review the window openings for excessiveness. With a reasonable window-to-wall ratio (and window positions that do not adversely affect structural stability), this measure can mostly or entirely be avoided.

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