I would like to convert my garage (70 sqm (750 sq ft)) into living space. The building currently has 24cm (9.5 inches) masonry walls (cinder block from 1970) and an uninsulated ring beam. Unfortunately, exterior insulation is not possible on three walls because the neighbors’ walls are located very close, with only a 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 inch) gap.
Interior insulation, which is often recommended using fiberboard and a vapor barrier, is not an option.
What options do I have to convert the garage into living space? Is it possible to build another wall inside, perhaps with 5cm (2 inch) mineral wool insulation between the walls, and in that case, would I need to provide ventilation behind it?
I hope my explanation is clear, and thank you for your feedback!
Interior insulation, which is often recommended using fiberboard and a vapor barrier, is not an option.
What options do I have to convert the garage into living space? Is it possible to build another wall inside, perhaps with 5cm (2 inch) mineral wool insulation between the walls, and in that case, would I need to provide ventilation behind it?
I hope my explanation is clear, and thank you for your feedback!
I don’t quite understand why insulation isn’t possible on three walls (the building can have a maximum of two walls on the boundary), but if interior insulation is not an option, it becomes difficult. Building a second wall inside is also a form of interior insulation, which of course needs to be ventilated behind. I would suggest consulting an expert who can assess both the structural and energy aspects. It might be feasible, but it could also be that the building structure is not really suitable for residential use.
Hello @Stefan_,
Alex85 is right – living spaces directly on the property boundary or converting a privileged garage located on the boundary involves building regulation issues. This might work with closed, inner-city developments, but it should be reviewed by the relevant authorities.
If your plot is in a residential area with detached houses, it will be problematic. For example, in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), it would be possible only if you could secure all three sides through a building encumbrance (setback easement), and if all neighbors only have privileged garages, AND their own buildings are set back at least 3 meters (10 feet) from your easement, with no other building regulation violations occurring. This means the living structures of your neighbors would need to have a minimum distance of 6 meters (20 feet) from all sides of your garage.
There is also the question of cost, and although I am not familiar with the situation in Rhineland-Palatinate (RP), it is unlikely to be inexpensive.
Best regards,
Dirk Grafe
Alex85 is right – living spaces directly on the property boundary or converting a privileged garage located on the boundary involves building regulation issues. This might work with closed, inner-city developments, but it should be reviewed by the relevant authorities.
If your plot is in a residential area with detached houses, it will be problematic. For example, in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), it would be possible only if you could secure all three sides through a building encumbrance (setback easement), and if all neighbors only have privileged garages, AND their own buildings are set back at least 3 meters (10 feet) from your easement, with no other building regulation violations occurring. This means the living structures of your neighbors would need to have a minimum distance of 6 meters (20 feet) from all sides of your garage.
There is also the question of cost, and although I am not familiar with the situation in Rhineland-Palatinate (RP), it is unlikely to be inexpensive.
Best regards,
Dirk Grafe
Thank you for the feedback.
The building actually has three walls on the property boundary, so external insulation is not possible.
The garage/barn is located within a built-up area (floor area ratio 1), part of a closed, inner-city development. I am aware of the setback requirements, but I am quite optimistic that I will be allowed to extend here.
The legal aspect should not necessarily be the main topic.
The building (only the ground floor) corresponds to a shell construction from the 1970s, meaning the foundations, slab-on-grade, and ring beam are all dry and structurally sound. The roof will be replaced.
Is there perhaps an insulating masonry block that can be built from the inside, possibly with a ventilated cavity? For ventilation, holes would then need to be drilled into the outer wall?
I have seen this done before in an old barn (rough stone); the interior was rebuilt with masonry including an air gap.
Does anyone have experience with this?
The building actually has three walls on the property boundary, so external insulation is not possible.
The garage/barn is located within a built-up area (floor area ratio 1), part of a closed, inner-city development. I am aware of the setback requirements, but I am quite optimistic that I will be allowed to extend here.
The legal aspect should not necessarily be the main topic.
The building (only the ground floor) corresponds to a shell construction from the 1970s, meaning the foundations, slab-on-grade, and ring beam are all dry and structurally sound. The roof will be replaced.
Is there perhaps an insulating masonry block that can be built from the inside, possibly with a ventilated cavity? For ventilation, holes would then need to be drilled into the outer wall?
I have seen this done before in an old barn (rough stone); the interior was rebuilt with masonry including an air gap.
Does anyone have experience with this?
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