ᐅ Facade Insulation: Implications for Windows, Roller Shutter Boxes, and Extensions
Created on: 27 Feb 2024 18:16
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MarkFalk
Hello,
for our conventionally built house from 1992, I am considering adding exterior wall insulation including new windows. I’m not clear about the details and would like to ask:
As far as I understand, with exterior wall insulation, the new windows are installed further outward, flush with the old plaster. Regarding the roller shutters, this means not only that the old guides need to be removed and reinstalled on/in the insulation. Is this even possible? And what about the roller shutter boxes? Installing new roller shutter boxes in front of the old ones is not an option because the insulation is only about 15cm (6 inches) thick. But removing the old roller shutter boxes is also not possible or would require a huge effort and create a lot of mess. So how is this problem usually solved?
What about canopies and similar structures? We have massive brick-covered canopies over the entrance and terrace. The supporting structure on the house side consists of large beams screwed to the house wall (and at the front end, of course, vertical supports). Does all of this have to be dismantled and reinstalled? Is it even possible to mount such structures on the insulation?
for our conventionally built house from 1992, I am considering adding exterior wall insulation including new windows. I’m not clear about the details and would like to ask:
As far as I understand, with exterior wall insulation, the new windows are installed further outward, flush with the old plaster. Regarding the roller shutters, this means not only that the old guides need to be removed and reinstalled on/in the insulation. Is this even possible? And what about the roller shutter boxes? Installing new roller shutter boxes in front of the old ones is not an option because the insulation is only about 15cm (6 inches) thick. But removing the old roller shutter boxes is also not possible or would require a huge effort and create a lot of mess. So how is this problem usually solved?
What about canopies and similar structures? We have massive brick-covered canopies over the entrance and terrace. The supporting structure on the house side consists of large beams screwed to the house wall (and at the front end, of course, vertical supports). Does all of this have to be dismantled and reinstalled? Is it even possible to mount such structures on the insulation?
nordanney schrieb:
You can do that. But it’s absolutely not necessary. It is equally common to leave the windows as they are.But that does create thermal bridges. Or “loopholes.” Right?
WilderSueden schrieb:
If you move the windows, I would also replace the roller shutter boxes.No way. That’s exactly why I’m asking. How is that supposed to be "simple"?
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nordanney28 Feb 2024 17:31MarkFalk schrieb:
But that creates thermal bridges, doesn’t it? Or “loopholes,” right?No. The frame and the roller shutter guides are insulated from the outside. You can do the same on the inside, so there is no need for plastering—just filling and smoothing the surface.And “loopholes” are relative. Whether I build a monolithic 42.5cm (17 inches) Ytong wall or use 36.5cm (14 inches) existing masonry plus insulation, it hardly makes a difference. Because the windows are not installed flush with the exterior wall, they appear slimmer than they actually are.
For example, this is about a 55cm (22 inches) wall: interior plaster + 36.5cm (14 inches) mixed masonry (lightweight concrete/brick) + 16cm (6 inches) rigid foam insulation + exterior plaster.
schubert7928 Feb 2024 18:00MarkFalk schrieb:
Oh, come on. That’s exactly why I’m asking. How is that supposed to be "easy"?Where does it say that installing exterior wall insulation is easy?
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WilderSueden28 Feb 2024 18:30MarkFalk schrieb:
Oh, come on. That’s exactly why I’m asking. How is that supposed to be "simple"? I’m not a structural engineer, but there should be a lintel above the roller shutter box. So you can remove the box. Then order new windows with either integrated or external roller shutters. I’m sure you’re not the only one facing this issue.
WilderSueden schrieb:
I’m sure you’re not the only one with this problem That’s exactly why I’m asking – because it seems to affect almost every second person.
schubert79 schrieb:
Where does it say that exterior wall insulation is easy? As I said: that’s exactly why I’m asking.
nordanney schrieb:
No. The frame or the shutter guides are insulated over. Do you perhaps know a website where this is explained in detail?
You mean that the reveal of the old window opening, meaning the old masonry, is insulated over? Then it would have to be done with the same thickness, for example 15 cm (6 inches) on each side. That would mean the windows have to be smaller – or rather, the window opening needs to be enlarged, otherwise the shutters won’t fit anymore.
You can also do it from the inside, so you only need to skim coat instead of plastering. Do you mean interior insulation? That would be my favorite because I could do it myself, but it would reduce too much interior space. Or do you mean removing and reinstalling the windows from the inside? But that doesn’t change the issue with exterior insulation described here.
And “shooting slots” (narrow reveals) are relative. Whether I build 42.5 cm (17 inches) of monolithic Ytong block or 36.5 cm (14.5 inches) existing wall plus insulation – it’s almost the same. In new builds, the windows are generally positioned “normally” far towards the outside from the start.
But sure, it’s definitely also a matter of window width.
This is, for example, about a 55 cm (22 inches) wall: interior plaster + 36.5 cm (14.5 inches) mixed masonry (lightweight concrete/brick) + 16 cm (6 inches) resol foam insulation + exterior plaster That looks “normal”. ;-)
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