ᐅ Issues with Bay Window: Offset Caused by Different Insulation Thicknesses
Created on: 23 Aug 2022 21:47
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BergringDear readers,
We are currently having our house built and today we received a message from our site manager about a minor cosmetic issue with the bay window.
The photo shows that the front part of the bay window has been built with 30cm (12 inches) Poroton blocks, while the adjacent interior wall is staggered and made of 17.5cm (7 inches) calcium silicate bricks. Now, 6cm (2.5 inches) of insulation and then plaster are planned on the Poroton blocks. However, the calcium silicate bricks require about 16-18cm (6.3-7 inches) of insulation due to their poorer thermal conductivity. This creates an offset of approximately 20cm (8 inches) on each side in this small white triangular area.
Apart from someone not considering this in the planning phase, we face the challenge that we cannot make the bay window wider than planned. According to the zoning plan / building permit, only one-third of the total width of the building envelope is allowed, and this limit is already reached with the Poroton plus 6-8cm (2.5-3 inches) insulation system.
I believe the proposed solution—leaving it as is and continuing—is not my preferred choice because, on one hand, it will not look good, and on the other hand, these two triangular areas would no longer comply with the zoning regulations.
We are currently in a permit exemption procedure here in NRW.
What options do I have?
1. Accept the site manager’s solution and hope it does not get noticed during the city inspection?
2. Add the additional 16cm (6.3 inches) insulation to the entire part of the bay window built with Poroton blocks so that everything matches afterward—and hope even more that this won’t be noticed during inspection?
3. Submit a building application and hope it gets approved, which would pause work for about 12 weeks.
4. Call the city and ask whether this falls within their tolerance.
I hope I was able to explain the problem clearly and am open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Benny
We are currently having our house built and today we received a message from our site manager about a minor cosmetic issue with the bay window.
The photo shows that the front part of the bay window has been built with 30cm (12 inches) Poroton blocks, while the adjacent interior wall is staggered and made of 17.5cm (7 inches) calcium silicate bricks. Now, 6cm (2.5 inches) of insulation and then plaster are planned on the Poroton blocks. However, the calcium silicate bricks require about 16-18cm (6.3-7 inches) of insulation due to their poorer thermal conductivity. This creates an offset of approximately 20cm (8 inches) on each side in this small white triangular area.
Apart from someone not considering this in the planning phase, we face the challenge that we cannot make the bay window wider than planned. According to the zoning plan / building permit, only one-third of the total width of the building envelope is allowed, and this limit is already reached with the Poroton plus 6-8cm (2.5-3 inches) insulation system.
I believe the proposed solution—leaving it as is and continuing—is not my preferred choice because, on one hand, it will not look good, and on the other hand, these two triangular areas would no longer comply with the zoning regulations.
We are currently in a permit exemption procedure here in NRW.
What options do I have?
1. Accept the site manager’s solution and hope it does not get noticed during the city inspection?
2. Add the additional 16cm (6.3 inches) insulation to the entire part of the bay window built with Poroton blocks so that everything matches afterward—and hope even more that this won’t be noticed during inspection?
3. Submit a building application and hope it gets approved, which would pause work for about 12 weeks.
4. Call the city and ask whether this falls within their tolerance.
I hope I was able to explain the problem clearly and am open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Benny
Hello,
Did the site manager only notice this after the roof was already covered?
I wouldn’t accept his suggestion—that looks really bad, doesn’t it?
First of all, I would formally notify the construction company of the defect in writing. Correcting the wall is no longer possible since the ring beam is in place, and you would probably lose interior space.
As for whether it will even be noticed, I can’t say. I think inspections where we are in Lower Saxony (nds) aren’t very strict, but sometimes you just end up with the wrong people.
The fact is, you didn’t make a mistake. Even if you were responsible for the planning, they should have spotted this and informed you.
So they should work with you to find a solution with the building authority (building permit / planning permission), right? Hold those guys more accountable when they mess up 🙂
Did the site manager only notice this after the roof was already covered?
I wouldn’t accept his suggestion—that looks really bad, doesn’t it?
First of all, I would formally notify the construction company of the defect in writing. Correcting the wall is no longer possible since the ring beam is in place, and you would probably lose interior space.
As for whether it will even be noticed, I can’t say. I think inspections where we are in Lower Saxony (nds) aren’t very strict, but sometimes you just end up with the wrong people.
The fact is, you didn’t make a mistake. Even if you were responsible for the planning, they should have spotted this and informed you.
So they should work with you to find a solution with the building authority (building permit / planning permission), right? Hold those guys more accountable when they mess up 🙂
Bergring schrieb:
2. To add an additional 16cm (6 inches) of insulation to the entire part of the bay window built with Poroton blocks, so that everything is uniform afterwards. I would prefer to apply only the specified insulation to the red-brick section and to add insulation on the interior side of the white-masonry section in the relevant area, as is commonly done for older buildings. Additional costs should be borne by the construction company, plus compensation for the loss of living space involved.
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Benutzer 100111 Sep 2022 20:55The bay window is on your plot and does not create any setback requirements, so just add 16cm (6 inches) of insulation, adjust the Poroton blocks accordingly, and you’re done.
I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it; if someone ever raises an issue, you can always notify them of a change later.
I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it; if someone ever raises an issue, you can always notify them of a change later.
I would never recommend internal insulation. It creates too many thermal bridges. Either the two long interior walls are offset, which is possible but would be very expensive for the contractor, or a small triangle will form and he will have to pay compensation.
I would avoid verbal agreements, whether with the site manager or the local authority. Everything should be documented in writing.
I would avoid verbal agreements, whether with the site manager or the local authority. Everything should be documented in writing.
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