Hello everyone,
Despite searching extensively, I haven’t been able to resolve the question about insulating our basement. Maybe you can help me?
We are building a detached house with a basement made of 36cm (14 inches) Ytong blocks. The basement includes a self-contained apartment and an office. The concrete slab has already been insulated with 10cm (4 inches) of perimeter insulation.
Both the energy consultant and the architect said that no additional insulation is necessary for the basement walls, as the Ytong blocks provide sufficient thermal insulation there.
The overall construction of the house is single-layered, so without additional insulation.
Does it make sense to insulate only the outside of the basement, or can I save the money?
Best regards!
Despite searching extensively, I haven’t been able to resolve the question about insulating our basement. Maybe you can help me?
We are building a detached house with a basement made of 36cm (14 inches) Ytong blocks. The basement includes a self-contained apartment and an office. The concrete slab has already been insulated with 10cm (4 inches) of perimeter insulation.
Both the energy consultant and the architect said that no additional insulation is necessary for the basement walls, as the Ytong blocks provide sufficient thermal insulation there.
The overall construction of the house is single-layered, so without additional insulation.
Does it make sense to insulate only the outside of the basement, or can I save the money?
Best regards!
Bauqualle schrieb:
... are you referring to the foundation slab? .... or is your question specifically about the exterior walls that are surrounded by soil? In that case, it is crucial to consider which heated rooms in the basement are directly adjacent to the exterior walls that are backfilled with soil ...... it is about the exterior walls. The rooms located along the exterior walls with soil backfill are: bathroom, bedroom, guest room, utility room, and laundry room... So basically, all except the living/dining room!
B
Bauqualle4 Jun 2013 22:45Rorolly schrieb:
... ..Well, actually all rooms except the living/dining area!.. then I would suggest performing a heat demand analysis including a temperature profile, and the company Ytongg or Hebel could assist you with that ...Bauqualle schrieb:
.. well, I would suggest conducting a heat demand analysis including a temperature profile, and the companies Ytongg or Hebel could assist you with that ...Thank you very much for the tip. I have already been in contact with Ytongg, and they also told me that additional insulation is not necessary.
Nevertheless, I have decided to add 6cm (2.4 inches) of insulation. This makes me feel more comfortable, and the extra cost is not a big deal...
Best regards
B
Bauqualle5 Jun 2013 18:40Rorolly schrieb:
I have now decided to add an extra 6cm (2.4 inches)... please .. add it to what exactly? And how will you keep the thermal insulation dry in the ground? .. you are building a basement for living spaces out of aerated concrete, with about 70% of it below ground level!I assume it is crucial to consider the type of ground or soil on which the basement is founded. In many cases, aerated concrete is definitely not the right choice. We are on a slope and do not have any hydrostatic pressure, etc. The soil survey, structural engineer, and others have all done their work, so this is not the issue here.
The chosen insulation is a perimeter drainage board and complies with the relevant standards (DIN).
Best regards
The chosen insulation is a perimeter drainage board and complies with the relevant standards (DIN).
Best regards
B
Bauexperte5 Jun 2013 22:41Hello,
Your question about additional insulation (most people initially think of the classic external wall insulation system) caused some confusion; at least for me. Your recent clarification that it concerns perimeter insulation sheds some light on the issue—but (again for me) raises new questions.
I can hardly imagine that Ytong® would recommend skipping perimeter insulation for a partially below-grade living basement—or better said, a lower ground floor (LGF) in your case. I have worked with aerated concrete for a long time and know that at a thickness of 36.5 cm (14 inches) it generally does not require additional insulation (external wall insulation). However, if these are heated basement rooms, the situation changes somewhat. Of course, this also concerns thermal protection => “According to regional building codes, habitable rooms in basements are permitted if moisture protection and thermal protection are ensured. For heated rooms, the energy saving regulations must be considered,” but also concerns protecting the masonry against the surrounding soil.
In short, I don’t understand why you have to pay for perimeter insulation of the below-grade exterior walls in the LGF—which is obvious to us—and why it is not part of your provider’s standard offering?
Regards, Bauexperte
Rorolly schrieb:
I assume it depends on the type of ground/foundation on which the basement is built. In many cases, aerated concrete is definitely the wrong choice. We are on a slope and have no issues with groundwater pressure, etc.... Soil reports, structural engineers, and others have all done their work, so this is not the question here.
The chosen insulation is a perimeter drainage board and complies with the DIN standard.
Your question about additional insulation (most people initially think of the classic external wall insulation system) caused some confusion; at least for me. Your recent clarification that it concerns perimeter insulation sheds some light on the issue—but (again for me) raises new questions.
I can hardly imagine that Ytong® would recommend skipping perimeter insulation for a partially below-grade living basement—or better said, a lower ground floor (LGF) in your case. I have worked with aerated concrete for a long time and know that at a thickness of 36.5 cm (14 inches) it generally does not require additional insulation (external wall insulation). However, if these are heated basement rooms, the situation changes somewhat. Of course, this also concerns thermal protection => “According to regional building codes, habitable rooms in basements are permitted if moisture protection and thermal protection are ensured. For heated rooms, the energy saving regulations must be considered,” but also concerns protecting the masonry against the surrounding soil.
In short, I don’t understand why you have to pay for perimeter insulation of the below-grade exterior walls in the LGF—which is obvious to us—and why it is not part of your provider’s standard offering?
Regards, Bauexperte
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