Hello everyone,
We are currently planning our new build and want to construct the exterior walls monolithically with Poroton blocks. Now the question is whether we should also build the load-bearing interior walls from Kalksandstein (calcium silicate bricks) or use Poroton for those as well. We would prefer Kalksandstein, among other reasons, for better sound insulation and the possibility of using standard anchors.
Some construction companies say there might be slight stress cracks, while others say this is not a problem since mortar shrinkage is greatly reduced with modern thin-bed mortar.
The non-load-bearing walls would be made of drywall panels. Would you recommend this, or would you suggest an alternative?
Do you have any experience with this? Have you perhaps built like this? We would be grateful for any tips.
Best regards
We are currently planning our new build and want to construct the exterior walls monolithically with Poroton blocks. Now the question is whether we should also build the load-bearing interior walls from Kalksandstein (calcium silicate bricks) or use Poroton for those as well. We would prefer Kalksandstein, among other reasons, for better sound insulation and the possibility of using standard anchors.
Some construction companies say there might be slight stress cracks, while others say this is not a problem since mortar shrinkage is greatly reduced with modern thin-bed mortar.
The non-load-bearing walls would be made of drywall panels. Would you recommend this, or would you suggest an alternative?
Do you have any experience with this? Have you perhaps built like this? We would be grateful for any tips.
Best regards
M
MachsSelbst13 Aug 2025 11:36Amazing what happened to the builder there—I spent two hours reading yesterday... but unfortunately, it’s a great example of the misunderstanding between a standard general contractor and independent planning.
Even Mercedes produces standard vehicles using modular systems and packages... fully custom work is ultimately done by Brabus.
In that sense, this already smells like the next disaster. He doesn’t want external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), eight companies were ranked, and now none of them seem suitable after all. He wants to decide on every little detail himself, as a layperson...
Every home builder company has its standards and experience only with those. That allows them to price their offers precisely because they know their processes well... surprises get expensive and often fail due to lack of experience.
If we do something non-standard, it also becomes expensive and often causes many problems. This isn’t limited to home construction—it applies equally in serial machine manufacturing and even in custom plant engineering.
Even Mercedes produces standard vehicles using modular systems and packages... fully custom work is ultimately done by Brabus.
In that sense, this already smells like the next disaster. He doesn’t want external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS), eight companies were ranked, and now none of them seem suitable after all. He wants to decide on every little detail himself, as a layperson...
Every home builder company has its standards and experience only with those. That allows them to price their offers precisely because they know their processes well... surprises get expensive and often fail due to lack of experience.
If we do something non-standard, it also becomes expensive and often causes many problems. This isn’t limited to home construction—it applies equally in serial machine manufacturing and even in custom plant engineering.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
It's incredible what happened to the builder there, I spent two hours reading yesterday... but unfortunately, it's a clear example of the misunderstanding between a standard general contractor and custom design. It seems you haven’t read far enough; the problem here was not with custom design itself. I had already talked him out of the worst mistakes (for example, offsetting the upper floor exterior walls behind those of the ground floor) in time. What never fit from the start were his and the general contractor’s ideas about which upgrades beyond the standard scope of work a client might want:
MachsSelbst schrieb:
Even Mercedes builds standard vehicles using modular components and packages... fully custom is finally done by Brabus. Speaking with your example, at Mercedes you can get Designo or AMG options—but not Alpina, M-technik, Abt, or Ruf. Initially, the builder planned for Brabus and then switched from Lorinser to Carlsson. That would have also been a mismatch if he had gone with SGS.
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
M
MachsSelbst13 Aug 2025 13:00I’m telling you. The general contractor (GC), or most GCs, has their own modular systems and packages that they know well and can plan within certain limits, as long as it stays within the usual framework.
Anything beyond that… they really don’t want to deal with it because the risk in unfamiliar territory is simply too high. They have to factor all of that in from the very beginning.
For me, it’s like Mercedes to Brabus—just a step up, no big deal. We’re not even talking about a villa with full home automation, a home theater, swimming pool, sauna, etc., right? 😉
Every home builder who shows any floor plans online is ultimately building some kind of modular system. Some are very strict, others more flexible… but truly free and fully custom design can only be done by an architect, which naturally comes with a higher cost.
Anything beyond that… they really don’t want to deal with it because the risk in unfamiliar territory is simply too high. They have to factor all of that in from the very beginning.
For me, it’s like Mercedes to Brabus—just a step up, no big deal. We’re not even talking about a villa with full home automation, a home theater, swimming pool, sauna, etc., right? 😉
Every home builder who shows any floor plans online is ultimately building some kind of modular system. Some are very strict, others more flexible… but truly free and fully custom design can only be done by an architect, which naturally comes with a higher cost.
What is actually going on in this forum? Instead of helping people and addressing the questions, there is a drama being made.
One user responded to the question, but the rest are telling stories unrelated to the topic and causing a fuss.
And you don’t have anything to contribute on the subject either?
Who is not good enough here and what do I want to decide?
One user responded to the question, but the rest are telling stories unrelated to the topic and causing a fuss.
MachsSelbst schrieb:It seems you haven’t really understood my posts :p
So this already smells like the next disaster. He doesn’t want EIFS, has ranked 8 companies and apparently none of them are good enough after all, and as a layperson, he wants to decide every little thing himself...
And you don’t have anything to contribute on the subject either?
Who is not good enough here and what do I want to decide?
bewobau schrieb:
Instead of helping people and addressing the questions, a drama is being made? People would help you, gladly even, but (not only with you) there is repeatedly the impression that people want to be helped exactly in the way they imagine.
You can have a different opinion, but there are several people here with 2, 3 or more construction projects completed, sometimes with significant self-performed work.
So far, you have not shared your project in a way that allows an overall understanding; this includes the floor plan, site plan, your individual needs, budget, etc.
Until a few years ago, construction projects were discussed and documented here consistently from start to finish, and the homeowners appreciated that. Unfortunately, this has completely disappeared, and one often only reads short questions without context, and eventually the people disappear silently.
Everyone here contributes their free time, and even though they do it voluntarily, they should be provided with the best possible information.
Therefore, AGAIN my question: Will you finally share your project here, as you suggested?
When the original poster is clearly enthusiastic about the process, it also makes it more enjoyable for others here, and they stay involved. Just in recent days, I have seen several threads where the OP vanished silently after a lot of thought was put into their questions.
Therefore:
bewobau schrieb:
What is actually going on in this forum? Counter question: What is going on with you?
Please share your project properly as already explained several times and stay engaged, then you will get good results.
M
MachsSelbst13 Aug 2025 22:47Well, it’s partly your own fault. The advice still keeps coming.
With my children, I eventually tell them that they know where the faucet is and can fill their own glass, and then I stop doing it for them. And suddenly, they are able to do it on their own.
With my children, I eventually tell them that they know where the faucet is and can fill their own glass, and then I stop doing it for them. And suddenly, they are able to do it on their own.