I want to renovate my old house (a 1940s settlement house), including the roof, facade, and windows.
The facade is mostly brick, and the basement is built from sandstone blocks. There isn’t really a moisture problem; although the basement isn’t suitable as living space, it isn’t damp or wet.
The sandstone wall is relatively thick, and at the transition to the first floor, hollow-core slabs were laid on top of the sandstone (there is a layer of roofing felt underneath). However, around the perimeter at the level of the floor structure, an additional row of sandstone blocks was placed—the floor is not completely resting over the sandstone, but there is a narrower row of sandstone on the outside.
A local painting company inspected the house and recommended that the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) / exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) facade should extend at least down to the underside of the floor structure.
Therefore, they suggested that the insulation be applied over the first row of sandstone.
From their perspective, this posed no problem.
For me, however, the question remains whether it is advisable to cover a row of sandstone with ETICS/EIFS.
Does anyone have experience with this?
Best regards
The facade is mostly brick, and the basement is built from sandstone blocks. There isn’t really a moisture problem; although the basement isn’t suitable as living space, it isn’t damp or wet.
The sandstone wall is relatively thick, and at the transition to the first floor, hollow-core slabs were laid on top of the sandstone (there is a layer of roofing felt underneath). However, around the perimeter at the level of the floor structure, an additional row of sandstone blocks was placed—the floor is not completely resting over the sandstone, but there is a narrower row of sandstone on the outside.
A local painting company inspected the house and recommended that the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) / exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) facade should extend at least down to the underside of the floor structure.
Therefore, they suggested that the insulation be applied over the first row of sandstone.
From their perspective, this posed no problem.
For me, however, the question remains whether it is advisable to cover a row of sandstone with ETICS/EIFS.
Does anyone have experience with this?
Best regards
Hello,
Renovations of older buildings should always be carefully planned, no matter what kind of measure is involved. Hiring an architect for the planning process is always worthwhile. As a layperson, it’s not something you can just handle yourself. It’s not just about quickly attaching insulation (or having it attached), but you also need to consider how the building’s structure will behave from a building physics perspective after the renovation.
For example, I wouldn’t stop the insulation just at the underside of the basement ceiling; I would extend it at least 30cm (12 inches) below to avoid or minimize thermal bridges. Then, I would look for an insulation material that is as vapor-permeable as possible. Maybe also consider a ventilated façade?
However, what is possible in your case and which building materials and construction methods are suitable can really only be determined by a professional on site. Especially since you have a “sensitive” situation with the sandstone in your basement.
Best regards
Renovations of older buildings should always be carefully planned, no matter what kind of measure is involved. Hiring an architect for the planning process is always worthwhile. As a layperson, it’s not something you can just handle yourself. It’s not just about quickly attaching insulation (or having it attached), but you also need to consider how the building’s structure will behave from a building physics perspective after the renovation.
For example, I wouldn’t stop the insulation just at the underside of the basement ceiling; I would extend it at least 30cm (12 inches) below to avoid or minimize thermal bridges. Then, I would look for an insulation material that is as vapor-permeable as possible. Maybe also consider a ventilated façade?
However, what is possible in your case and which building materials and construction methods are suitable can really only be determined by a professional on site. Especially since you have a “sensitive” situation with the sandstone in your basement.
Best regards
Similar topics