ᐅ Is energy efficiency worse with 36.5 cm masonry?

@Bookstar

Yes, we have already discussed this at home.

@ Lumpi

Thanks for the information.

1) Ytong does not process more easily, but it is faster to work with due to the larger blocks.
2) A thickness of 36.5cm (14.4 inches) is more than sufficient to meet energy saving regulations without needing external insulation like polystyrene.
3) This wall is easier for you to work with if you want to attach something to it.
4) The sound insulation of Ytong is moderate.
5) Each builder has their standard wall construction. They know it by heart, it comes at good prices from building material suppliers, and everyday communication works well that way. Therefore, anyone wanting to build with Ytong/Porith/Hansapor etc. should find a builder who uses it as their standard.
6) Where are you building? In the north, there are many builders using Ytong. It is a material associated with Protestant Prussia, K.

Nordlys schrieb:

1) Ytong doesn’t work easier, but faster, with large blocks.
2) 36.5cm (14 inches) is more than enough to meet the energy saving regulations without needing polystyrene insulation in front.
3) This wall is easier for you to use if you want to fix something onto it.
4) The sound insulation of Ytong is moderate.
5) Every building contractor has their standard wall construction. They know it like the back of their hand, they get good prices at the building materials supplier, and everyday communication works well. That’s why anyone wanting to build with Ytong/Porith/Hansapor etc. should find a contractor who uses it as their standard.
6) Where are you building? In the north, there are large amounts of Ytong building materials. It’s a Protestant Prussian material, K.

Regarding point 4) Yes, I’ve already read that, but if the exterior walls are made of Ytong and the interior walls are made of calcium silicate bricks, is the sound insulation supposed to be better?!?
Regarding point 6) Sachsen-Anhalt, so more central Germany.

If the masonry material and the contractor don’t match well, you’ll have to decide which is more important to you: the material or the contractor. Don’t try to re-educate the contractor—they are simply skilled in working with the materials they know best.

Even though I personally prefer monolithic constructions, I think it’s good to stay open-minded about both wall systems. So if

Nissandriver schrieb:

There we said that we would like to have a 365 stone

only means that you’ve been advised by people who seem sympathetic and/or reasonable, don’t get stuck on that and instead choose the contractor you have good “chemistry” with and let them build using the method they know best.

No matter how many different stones building supply stores offer—the “philosopher’s stone” is still not in stock. Unfortunately, Columbus only improved the egg. But even from less-than-perfect materials, millions of houses have been built with fully adequate quality.

Nissandriver schrieb:

that aerated concrete is easier to work with than porous clay brick,

“Different” would be a more accurate term. But that shouldn’t matter to you, because aerated concrete is only more suitable for DIY builders than porous clay bricks.

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@11ant

All right! Thanks =)

Nissandriver schrieb:
Yesterday we had a conversation with a general contractor. We mentioned that we would like a 365mm (14 inches) block (Ytong or Poroton)

which is probably why he thought energy efficiency was very important to you.

Nissandriver schrieb:
The immediate response was: He doesn't think much of that, 240mm (9.5 inches) with 120mm (5 inches) of EPS insulation is much better than the 365mm (14 inches) block.

which is not entirely wrong:

U-values according to Ubakus.de:

365mm Ytong: 0.26
365mm Poroton: 0.21
240mm Ytong + 120mm external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS): 0.18
240mm Poroton + 120mm ETICS: 0.16

Nissandriver schrieb:
He also said that the energy efficiency rating would drop from A(+) to D?!

You cannot generalize that without knowing the heating system and other factors, but of course A+ is easily achievable with 240mm Poroton plus 120mm ETICS, while with a poorer quality (heavy/cheap) 365mm Ytong you will probably end up around the D range. That doesn’t sound unrealistic (the U-values above were calculated with a medium-density Ytong).

Nissandriver schrieb:
I’m getting more confused about what to believe.. Everyone says something different.
What do the experts here say?

That’s normal in construction: ask five people and you’ll get ten opinions. Everyone is certain they’re right and that everyone else has no idea.

Before you start worrying about the wall construction itself, you should define your wall requirements:

Should it be: as sound insulating as possible, as affordable as possible, as thin as possible, as breathable as possible, as thermally insulating as possible, or a combination of these goals?

From there, you can find the ideal wall structure for your needs.

- A monolithic 365mm Ytong block, for example, would not be very sound insulating, have moderate thermal insulation, be rather affordable, average in thickness, and quite breathable.
- A monolithic 365mm Poroton wall would be moderately sound insulating, provide good thermal insulation, cost somewhat more... and so on.
- ... and so on.