Hello
After initially carrying out preliminary plans for our single-family house with a local construction company on a non-binding basis, we decided to consult an independent architect. We can still imagine building with this construction company, as it has an excellent reputation and we know several people with positive experiences. The reason for contacting an independent architect was that the initial plans were a bit too large and ultimately did not feel quite "right" for us (for these first plans, see also:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/Kostenschätzung-einfamilienhaus-realistisch-oder-nicht.5330/
We are now glad that we took the route through the architect, as many new, good ideas have come up, which we will now refine. The building volume in the current design is smaller and "simpler."
However, we can still imagine building with the above-mentioned company, definitely with a general contractor.
Briefly about the building project: single-family house, living area approx. 170m² (1830 sq ft), fully basemented, two stories, KfW55 standard or better; air-source heat pump, ventilation system with heat recovery.
The current issue is the following: The architect is not a fan of interior-insulated ceramic blocks (e.g., MZ7) as a building material, which allow a monolithic wall construction without an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS / external insulation). As a note: We are planning KfW55 standard (or better), which could probably be achieved with these blocks. The above-mentioned construction company apparently prefers or exclusively uses this material.
Their concerns are:
All in all, he clearly advises against this construction method and recommends instead either sand-lime brick with ETICS or timber frame construction. We could definitely warm up to the first option (e.g., also because of higher strength and sound insulation); we have not yet explicitly considered timber construction but will do so. Our concerns so far with timber were summer heat protection, sound insulation, and some doubts about long-term value, although the last is probably less justified if built to a high standard.
In the forum and elsewhere on the internet, I find no discussions about these thermal insulation bricks, only one experience report mentioning poor sound insulation. Maybe this method is still too new to expect reliable experience data.
In the end, we will decide with a specific construction company for or against a certain building method, e.g., the above-insulated blocks, as each company usually has a preferred method.
Do you have any opinions or experiences with this building material or know someone who has had good or less favorable experiences?
Best regards,
Phil1
After initially carrying out preliminary plans for our single-family house with a local construction company on a non-binding basis, we decided to consult an independent architect. We can still imagine building with this construction company, as it has an excellent reputation and we know several people with positive experiences. The reason for contacting an independent architect was that the initial plans were a bit too large and ultimately did not feel quite "right" for us (for these first plans, see also:
https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/Kostenschätzung-einfamilienhaus-realistisch-oder-nicht.5330/
We are now glad that we took the route through the architect, as many new, good ideas have come up, which we will now refine. The building volume in the current design is smaller and "simpler."
However, we can still imagine building with the above-mentioned company, definitely with a general contractor.
Briefly about the building project: single-family house, living area approx. 170m² (1830 sq ft), fully basemented, two stories, KfW55 standard or better; air-source heat pump, ventilation system with heat recovery.
The current issue is the following: The architect is not a fan of interior-insulated ceramic blocks (e.g., MZ7) as a building material, which allow a monolithic wall construction without an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS / external insulation). As a note: We are planning KfW55 standard (or better), which could probably be achieved with these blocks. The above-mentioned construction company apparently prefers or exclusively uses this material.
Their concerns are:
- The workmanship must be much more precise than with conventional bricks, since the mortar layer must be very thin; otherwise, thermal bridges may occur. With ETICS, the outer insulation handles that entirely.
- Rain or other moisture during the construction phase remains trapped "forever" in the chambers of the blocks insulated with mineral wool or similar materials (long-term damage).
- Insulation renovation is not possible later compared to ETICS.
All in all, he clearly advises against this construction method and recommends instead either sand-lime brick with ETICS or timber frame construction. We could definitely warm up to the first option (e.g., also because of higher strength and sound insulation); we have not yet explicitly considered timber construction but will do so. Our concerns so far with timber were summer heat protection, sound insulation, and some doubts about long-term value, although the last is probably less justified if built to a high standard.
In the forum and elsewhere on the internet, I find no discussions about these thermal insulation bricks, only one experience report mentioning poor sound insulation. Maybe this method is still too new to expect reliable experience data.
In the end, we will decide with a specific construction company for or against a certain building method, e.g., the above-insulated blocks, as each company usually has a preferred method.
Do you have any opinions or experiences with this building material or know someone who has had good or less favorable experiences?
Best regards,
Phil1
Hello Phil,
I am currently still in the planning phase and am also planning to build with insulated bricks. I don’t understand your architect’s concerns:
Precision is always important. Even external wall insulation systems can be installed poorly and cause thermal bridges. Also, you yourself wrote that your construction company mainly works with insulated bricks, so it should definitely be possible to check some references there. Processing the bricks is not rocket science; I prefer 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 inches) of adhesive over 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 inches) of mortar. Larger openings are closed with LM21.
During construction, every brick should be protected from rain with a protective foil (top layer of bricks). Normal moisture dries out just as well in these porous bricks, so why not? Honestly, I don’t know how it is with mineral wool; I will be building with bricks filled with perlite, which I prefer personally.
What exactly would be wrong with the insulation? If this happens, an external wall insulation system can still be installed later.
Best regards,
Sebastian
I am currently still in the planning phase and am also planning to build with insulated bricks. I don’t understand your architect’s concerns:
- Workmanship must be much more precise than with conventional bricks because the mortar layer can only be very thin; otherwise, there will be thermal bridges. With external wall insulation systems (cladding), the insulation on the outside takes care of everything.
Precision is always important. Even external wall insulation systems can be installed poorly and cause thermal bridges. Also, you yourself wrote that your construction company mainly works with insulated bricks, so it should definitely be possible to check some references there. Processing the bricks is not rocket science; I prefer 2–3 mm (0.08–0.12 inches) of adhesive over 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 inches) of mortar. Larger openings are closed with LM21.
- Rain or other moisture during the construction phase “stays forever” in the cavities insulated with mineral wool or similar (long-term damage).
During construction, every brick should be protected from rain with a protective foil (top layer of bricks). Normal moisture dries out just as well in these porous bricks, so why not? Honestly, I don’t know how it is with mineral wool; I will be building with bricks filled with perlite, which I prefer personally.
- Renovating the insulation later is not possible compared to external wall insulation systems.
What exactly would be wrong with the insulation? If this happens, an external wall insulation system can still be installed later.
Best regards,
Sebastian
Hello Sebastian,
Thank you for your assessment. I will bring up these points again at our next meeting with the architect and present your arguments. As mentioned, we are still in the planning phase and have not yet made a final decision on a construction company. The mentioned company primarily or exclusively works with these bricks, and due to the positive references, we will definitely request a quote from them once the building structure is defined. Additionally, we will approach one or two other companies as well.
Best regards,
Philipp
Thank you for your assessment. I will bring up these points again at our next meeting with the architect and present your arguments. As mentioned, we are still in the planning phase and have not yet made a final decision on a construction company. The mentioned company primarily or exclusively works with these bricks, and due to the positive references, we will definitely request a quote from them once the building structure is defined. Additionally, we will approach one or two other companies as well.
Best regards,
Philipp
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