ᐅ House built in 1954 – Has the exterior already been insulated?

Hello

Until now, we were planning to build a new house, but now there may be an opportunity to buy a property.
Unfortunately, all we know so far is the year it was built (1954), that it has about 160 m² (1,722 sq ft) of living space, and that the previous owner was very meticulous and carried out renovations regularly. We don’t yet know the extent of these renovations. My question is whether it is possible to tell from the pictures if the facade has already been insulated and if the roof is relatively new. Both look quite good to me. We have a viewing appointment scheduled soon.

The roof appears to be in like-new condition, but this does not necessarily mean it is insulated or can be easily insulated. An External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) is clearly not installed; there is no noticeable overhang of the facade plaster over the masonry base. Also, the window reveals are not deep enough for such insulation. A simple tap test can help verify this: if it sounds hollow, there is likely an ETICS. The windows are probably older double-glazed units with modest insulation values by today’s standards, dating from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

I would not expect too much useful work from the previous owner’s meticulous renovations, unless they can provide detailed documentation based on contractor invoices showing what was commissioned in this regard.

Houses from the 1950s typically have very basic construction, which can reveal some surprises during remodeling. After the first viewing, if you are generally interested in the house, consider having a second viewing accompanied by an expert or appraiser, preferably an architect, for professional advice.

Hello Burner610,

your question is valid but not appropriate for this forum. Please find a professional who can assist you and examine the situation on site. No one here online (except twice) can assess this without local knowledge. This is also the usual approach. @wpic has also mentioned it—if interested, consult a professional and assess it on site. Here you will only get guesses.

Thank you, that is clear as well. Still, thanks for the answers!

Which state are you from?

A reliable and serious assessment of the condition cannot be made solely based on photos.