ᐅ Is Summer Thermal Insulation Mandatory for New Construction?

Created on: 21 Jun 2019 21:30
C
crion
Good evening everyone!

We are currently about to submit the building notification in Bovenden, just north of the city boundary of Göttingen (Lower Saxony), and we just had our architectural meeting with the architect from our home builder FIBAV.

During the meeting, the topic of roller shutters briefly came up, and we said that we do not want any.
The response was that we should or must consider an alternative type of sun protection.
For us, the issue was settled: we currently live in a rental apartment owned by a Göttingen housing cooperative, first occupied in 10/2014, without roller shutters.

However, afterwards I felt somewhat concerned and asked by email.
The very quick reply was:
“Summer heat protection according to DIN 4108 Part 2 is mandatory and is calculated by [...].
This shows which rooms must be equipped with shading.

Provisions for possible later shading systems can be integrated into the façade either before or after construction.
Please discuss this with your construction manager. He can then coordinate it with the trades.”

It’s good to know that summer heat protection according to the standard is mandatory—also to prevent the majority of people from retrofitting energy-intensive air conditioning later, no question.
But is summer heat protection also a legal or otherwise mandatory requirement, or can we omit it without facing any sanctions—worst case, a forced retrofit?

If summer heat protection is somehow a sanctionable obligation: does it have to be an external shading system?
My wife cannot live without curtains, so we already have some form of interior sun protection—of course less effective than external shading, but present.
We will not install an air conditioning system later...

Regardless of whether it is mandatory: What are the most cost-effective options for reasonably effective heat protection?
Or is that already provided by curtains?

Best regards,
Christian
M
Müllerin
22 Jun 2019 08:48
Even if it wasn’t required, which I didn’t even know,
how can anyone think it’s a good idea to save money specifically on this point?
Yes, it’s hot in the South too, and people somehow manage to sleep. But it’s something else entirely to say it’s comfortable.
Mycraft22 Jun 2019 08:51
In the south, people usually have some form of thermal insulation. This has always been the case. The mentioned wooden shutters are a typical feature.
M
Müllerin
22 Jun 2019 08:59
True... or a large porch.

Use external electric roller shutters, then you don't have to deal with nasty manual straps and it also avoids dirt when repairs are needed.
R
readytorumble
22 Jun 2019 09:26
I strongly recommend electric roller shutters as well. Basically, everything has already been said. We also have access panels on the outside in case anything needs attention.
M
Muc1985
22 Jun 2019 09:44
Additionally, roller shutters provide a much more comfortable living environment. When needed, they offer privacy, and children will surely appreciate going to bed in a nice, dark room during the summer months.

You have protection and perhaps a better peace of mind while you are on vacation, don’t you?
K
Kekse
22 Jun 2019 10:07
By the way, I don’t find roller shutter straps very attractive either, but there are also crank handles. In my opinion, you can easily save on electric operation if you want or need to. Modern crank handles are very smooth to operate, I can regularly see/feel this in a house in a typical German terraced house – and those certainly aren’t known for using the most expensive luxury materials.