Aside from monolithic wall construction—what are common alternatives to external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) using polystyrene or other plastics? The two main concerns I have with polystyrene are:
- lack of mechanical durability, especially resistance to woodpeckers
- questionable fire protection (fire rating B1 is debatable, while other façades easily meet class A1)
- lifespan around 30 years +/-
How about using sand-lime brick combined with mineral insulation boards (thermal conductivity 0.042 W/m·K)? Can stone wool/mineral wool insulation better meet the above requirements compared to EPS? Wood fiber insulation boards seem to have similar fire protection issues (they are generally rated B2 anyway). Are there other alternatives, or is it generally advisable to opt for monolithic construction if one wants to avoid polystyrene?
- lack of mechanical durability, especially resistance to woodpeckers
- questionable fire protection (fire rating B1 is debatable, while other façades easily meet class A1)
- lifespan around 30 years +/-
How about using sand-lime brick combined with mineral insulation boards (thermal conductivity 0.042 W/m·K)? Can stone wool/mineral wool insulation better meet the above requirements compared to EPS? Wood fiber insulation boards seem to have similar fire protection issues (they are generally rated B2 anyway). Are there other alternatives, or is it generally advisable to opt for monolithic construction if one wants to avoid polystyrene?
Mineral wool external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) are non-combustible (class A1), but otherwise have the same drawbacks (not mechanically durable unless protected with special, proven renders at the base or base protection panels). Additionally, they have the disadvantage that during installation, they should preferably not be exposed to rain before the render is applied. EPS (expanded polystyrene) is less sensitive in this regard due to its low or almost nonexistent water absorption. Foam glass would also be an option, but it is rather uncommon in private single-family home construction because it is very expensive.
Alternatives include monolithic walls (aerated concrete, climate-lightweight blocks, Liapor, etc.) or hollow clay bricks with internal ETICS (Poroton with perlite or mineral wool). However, in the latter cases, the same sensitivity to rain during the shell construction phase applies. The perlite filling in cut bricks often falls out and is not necessarily refilled by the construction company. This can result in empty bricks that act as thermal bridges.
I would prefer a truly monolithic wall construction if the structural requirements (compressive strength) are met and the sound insulation proof can be demonstrated for the relatively lightweight external wall.
Alternatives include monolithic walls (aerated concrete, climate-lightweight blocks, Liapor, etc.) or hollow clay bricks with internal ETICS (Poroton with perlite or mineral wool). However, in the latter cases, the same sensitivity to rain during the shell construction phase applies. The perlite filling in cut bricks often falls out and is not necessarily refilled by the construction company. This can result in empty bricks that act as thermal bridges.
I would prefer a truly monolithic wall construction if the structural requirements (compressive strength) are met and the sound insulation proof can be demonstrated for the relatively lightweight external wall.
Similar topics