ᐅ Building permit application submitted / unresolved technical details / looking forward to suggestions
Created on: 20 Feb 2015 18:13
L
Legurit
Hello everyone, our planner has now submitted the building permit application and asked us to consider a few things (on one hand, they want to start with the structural calculations, and on the other, to compile the documents for the tender).
17.5 cm (7 inches) sand-lime brick or aerated concrete: so far, we preferred sand-lime brick because of its thermal mass. We were told the cost is roughly similar. Aerated concrete offers about 25% better U-value (in our wall construction). Sand-lime brick, however, provides better thermal mass and sound insulation (though the latter is less important). Interior walls will be built with sand-lime brick. Can anyone strongly recommend one over the other? (cavity wall with insulation and facing brick)
Recessed spotlights or regular lamps: this might also be relevant for the structural load. I did a rough calculation – if we have to count €60 (euros) per spot, that could add up considerably. Some say spots are not ideal from a lighting perspective either. I’m leaning against them, my wife is in favor. Is this just a trend, or is it truly better than regular fixtures?
Tiles or other floor coverings: we have mostly tiled the ground floor. Now the question is what to choose for the upper floor – I would also lean towards tiles here. We had briefly considered cork – does anyone have experience with that?
Ventilation: it’s almost certain we will have a decentralized ventilation system with heat recovery—most likely cross-flow (no inverter - I know the pros and cons, but we would probably never feel comfortable with a central system). Does anyone have specific models to recommend or advise against based on whether they can sleep well with them or not? We have already visited five houses with central ventilation systems to “listen” and talk to the owners. Three of them have the system on the lowest setting or turned off because it bothers them (which kind of defeats the purpose). Am I allowed to mention companies here? I have read something about Blue Martin – they are expensive and supposedly very good – but it’s always hard for a layperson to tell if it’s just marketing.
Ground-source heat pump: is deep drilling better or are horizontal/spiral collectors preferable? Is it possible to cool with horizontal/spiral systems in summer as well?
Additional cost for engobed roof tiles: we need to decide on roof tiles, but the building supplier wouldn’t give us price details (they said prices would be sent directly to the builder). Can anyone roughly estimate the extra cost for engobed matte clay tiles compared to non-engobed matte clay tiles? Is it worth it or more about appearances during the first year?
Thanks for your opinions and best regards.
17.5 cm (7 inches) sand-lime brick or aerated concrete: so far, we preferred sand-lime brick because of its thermal mass. We were told the cost is roughly similar. Aerated concrete offers about 25% better U-value (in our wall construction). Sand-lime brick, however, provides better thermal mass and sound insulation (though the latter is less important). Interior walls will be built with sand-lime brick. Can anyone strongly recommend one over the other? (cavity wall with insulation and facing brick)
Recessed spotlights or regular lamps: this might also be relevant for the structural load. I did a rough calculation – if we have to count €60 (euros) per spot, that could add up considerably. Some say spots are not ideal from a lighting perspective either. I’m leaning against them, my wife is in favor. Is this just a trend, or is it truly better than regular fixtures?
Tiles or other floor coverings: we have mostly tiled the ground floor. Now the question is what to choose for the upper floor – I would also lean towards tiles here. We had briefly considered cork – does anyone have experience with that?
Ventilation: it’s almost certain we will have a decentralized ventilation system with heat recovery—most likely cross-flow (no inverter - I know the pros and cons, but we would probably never feel comfortable with a central system). Does anyone have specific models to recommend or advise against based on whether they can sleep well with them or not? We have already visited five houses with central ventilation systems to “listen” and talk to the owners. Three of them have the system on the lowest setting or turned off because it bothers them (which kind of defeats the purpose). Am I allowed to mention companies here? I have read something about Blue Martin – they are expensive and supposedly very good – but it’s always hard for a layperson to tell if it’s just marketing.
Ground-source heat pump: is deep drilling better or are horizontal/spiral collectors preferable? Is it possible to cool with horizontal/spiral systems in summer as well?
Additional cost for engobed roof tiles: we need to decide on roof tiles, but the building supplier wouldn’t give us price details (they said prices would be sent directly to the builder). Can anyone roughly estimate the extra cost for engobed matte clay tiles compared to non-engobed matte clay tiles? Is it worth it or more about appearances during the first year?
Thanks for your opinions and best regards.
Ah, okay, then the statement about the ventilation is correct... that matches my experience as well... maybe a mix of both systems would be the right solution for you...
I also use entirely sand-lime brick... I simply believe that mixing materials, especially masonry, is counterproductive...
I also use entirely sand-lime brick... I simply believe that mixing materials, especially masonry, is counterproductive...
Ventilation is currently our "problem area" – it also needs to be taken into account for the structural engineering if necessary. I was hoping to find a price range where it would no longer be audible. According to advertisements, such solutions exist – but so far, no one has been able to give me an unbiased answer on whether that’s really the case.
And are you satisfied so far and don’t have any "cold" walls? What wall thickness and insulation do you have?
And are you satisfied so far and don’t have any "cold" walls? What wall thickness and insulation do you have?
Yes, we are quite satisfied... We used high-density large-format sand-lime bricks that are 15cm (6 inches) thick, combined with 16cm (6.3 inches) EPS insulation... it stays warm and remains warm... in the summer, it can even get too warm in the sleeping areas, but we have found solutions for that by now.
And why not a central controlled ventilation system? Considering the prices nowadays for decentralized systems, you can get good central units for the same cost...
Ours currently runs at 110 cubic meters per hour, and it’s completely silent... it only becomes audible at around 200 cubic meters per hour, and even then only near the exhaust vents...
And why not a central controlled ventilation system? Considering the prices nowadays for decentralized systems, you can get good central units for the same cost...
Ours currently runs at 110 cubic meters per hour, and it’s completely silent... it only becomes audible at around 200 cubic meters per hour, and even then only near the exhaust vents...
I suppose it's a matter of preference – I think I’d rather have some control over the pipes. I’m also a bit concerned about the workmanship on site – we’ve already heard a few stories about that. Most recently, our planner advised against it (although I’m not sure if that’s just because the structural engineering is more complicated). What we looked at was the decentralized systems, which are even more expensive.
If they are even more expensive, I wouldn’t hesitate for long...
You do have control over the ducts... simply keep the exhaust air duct as short as possible, and the supply air duct longer. This way, you can easily clean the exhaust ducts yourself when they start to get dirty faster.
Usually, you can unscrew the valves at any time and look inside the ducts—or clean them if needed.
After 3 years of continuous operation, we’ve noticed almost no dirt buildup in the ducts because everything is captured by the filters. The supply air ducts still look almost as new as when they were installed. The exhaust ducts do have a slight layer of dust, though.
You do have control over the ducts... simply keep the exhaust air duct as short as possible, and the supply air duct longer. This way, you can easily clean the exhaust ducts yourself when they start to get dirty faster.
Usually, you can unscrew the valves at any time and look inside the ducts—or clean them if needed.
After 3 years of continuous operation, we’ve noticed almost no dirt buildup in the ducts because everything is captured by the filters. The supply air ducts still look almost as new as when they were installed. The exhaust ducts do have a slight layer of dust, though.
We only have recessed lighting in the kitchen, the bathrooms, and one above the workspace between the dining and living areas. I don’t find them very appealing in the living room. We also considered placing some in the hallway but decided against it because nice ceiling lights work well there too.
We have tiles only in the hallway, toilet, utility room, and bathrooms. We don’t like them in the living area, especially since they feel too cold and hard during transitional seasons, and we like sitting on the floor with the kids.
So, the living area will have hardwood flooring (including the kitchen), and for the entire upstairs floor (except the bathrooms), we are currently gathering quotes and seeking advice. We don’t want to spend too much, as it’s 120 sqm (1300 sq ft) of flooring upstairs alone. So, a maximum of 25-30€/sqm (about $23-$28/sq ft). Right now, high-quality laminate and natural cork are the options. Although I really don’t want laminate (it’s noisy and cold), my husband isn’t a fan of the cork look. Maybe we’ll find affordable hardwood for upstairs as well.
With kids, I find tiles absolutely unsuitable. Who actually enjoys sitting on a tiled floor?
We have tiles only in the hallway, toilet, utility room, and bathrooms. We don’t like them in the living area, especially since they feel too cold and hard during transitional seasons, and we like sitting on the floor with the kids.
So, the living area will have hardwood flooring (including the kitchen), and for the entire upstairs floor (except the bathrooms), we are currently gathering quotes and seeking advice. We don’t want to spend too much, as it’s 120 sqm (1300 sq ft) of flooring upstairs alone. So, a maximum of 25-30€/sqm (about $23-$28/sq ft). Right now, high-quality laminate and natural cork are the options. Although I really don’t want laminate (it’s noisy and cold), my husband isn’t a fan of the cork look. Maybe we’ll find affordable hardwood for upstairs as well.
With kids, I find tiles absolutely unsuitable. Who actually enjoys sitting on a tiled floor?
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