Hello everyone,
We are currently planning our own home and are quite overwhelmed by the many controversial opinions regarding walls and construction techniques.
Our current ideas:
Now, the question for us is the construction method.
As far as I understand, the three options remaining for us are:
Are my statements accurate so far?
Have I overlooked any essential aspects in my considerations?
How should claims like “sand-lime bricks offer better sound insulation” be evaluated?
Is this only relevant in noisy locations (airports, busy roads, etc.), or should it be given more thought generally?
To what extent are properties like sound insulation more important when planning with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery?
Are my concerns about algae growth on external insulation systems outdated? Are there new variants that no longer have this problem?
Lightweight expanded clay / Liapor seems very interesting at first glance based on marketing promises, yet I have the feeling I might be missing something important.
I would be very grateful for your suggestions.
We are currently planning our own home and are quite overwhelmed by the many controversial opinions regarding walls and construction techniques.
Our current ideas:
- Urban villa, or if the zoning plan does not allow it, possibly a mansard roof; in any case, two full stories.
- Should be KfW 55 standard, hoping to get better financing through additional subsidies (no equity available apart from the land purchase costs)
- The lower half should be brick-faced
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for better indoor climate and comfort
- We do not want prefabricated timber houses.
- I have ruled out aerated concrete blocks (Ytong) because we are not skilled in craftsmanship, and I worry about leaving large damage when attempting installations.
Now, the question for us is the construction method.
As far as I understand, the three options remaining for us are:
- Poroton (clay blocks)
- Pros
- Drilling is straightforward, possibly special anchors needed?
- Cons
- Sound insulation is poor compared to the others
- Brick facing involves high additional costs since usually only fine plaster is applied
- Sand-lime bricks (Calcium silicate blocks)
- Pros
- Drilling is straightforward
- Good sound insulation
- Brick facing relatively inexpensive since a separate façade is needed anyway
- Cons
- Problems with algae growth on the exterior insulation system (ETICS/WDVS)
- Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) / Liapor (possibly prefabricated walls)
- I have found only a few usable sources on this, but from what I have read so far, it could be an alternative?
Are my statements accurate so far?
Have I overlooked any essential aspects in my considerations?
How should claims like “sand-lime bricks offer better sound insulation” be evaluated?
Is this only relevant in noisy locations (airports, busy roads, etc.), or should it be given more thought generally?
To what extent are properties like sound insulation more important when planning with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery?
Are my concerns about algae growth on external insulation systems outdated? Are there new variants that no longer have this problem?
Lightweight expanded clay / Liapor seems very interesting at first glance based on marketing promises, yet I have the feeling I might be missing something important.
I would be very grateful for your suggestions.
I would choose aerated concrete as the backing wall combined with facing brick. For interior walls, calcium silicate bricks are an excellent choice! You can achieve extremely good insulation values and a healthy indoor climate.
Some people might argue against mixing building materials because of their different physical properties.
However, this combination has apparently been used for a very long time, and I haven’t heard anything negative about it.
The so-called anchor myth is completely overrated nowadays. There are excellent kits available that make mounting heavy items very easy—even for beginners.
I would definitely avoid using calcium silicate bricks together with external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS, also known as external wall insulation). The idea of putting petroleum-based materials on the walls and then ventilating with a controlled mechanical ventilation system... terrible.
Regarding algae growth:
Most ETICS renders contain biocides. These prevent algae deposits for the first five years. However, after this period, the biocides are no longer effective, and algae start to grow. This can only be managed through cleaning and repainting. You will have to maintain and renovate at least every five years. We don’t even need to discuss the fire behavior.
Additionally, these materials are now classified as hazardous waste.
Some people might argue against mixing building materials because of their different physical properties.
However, this combination has apparently been used for a very long time, and I haven’t heard anything negative about it.
The so-called anchor myth is completely overrated nowadays. There are excellent kits available that make mounting heavy items very easy—even for beginners.
I would definitely avoid using calcium silicate bricks together with external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS, also known as external wall insulation). The idea of putting petroleum-based materials on the walls and then ventilating with a controlled mechanical ventilation system... terrible.
Regarding algae growth:
Most ETICS renders contain biocides. These prevent algae deposits for the first five years. However, after this period, the biocides are no longer effective, and algae start to grow. This can only be managed through cleaning and repainting. You will have to maintain and renovate at least every five years. We don’t even need to discuss the fire behavior.
Additionally, these materials are now classified as hazardous waste.
Every brick builds a house, and every approved construction project meets the energy requirements...
Are you building with independent architects? I would first look at what materials are mainly used in your area, what fits the surroundings, and so on.
In Bavaria, facing bricks can become disproportionately expensive, while in Lower Saxony few build with Poroton (this is just a small personal sample from our experience).
Are you building with independent architects? I would first look at what materials are mainly used in your area, what fits the surroundings, and so on.
In Bavaria, facing bricks can become disproportionately expensive, while in Lower Saxony few build with Poroton (this is just a small personal sample from our experience).
J
j.bautsch22 Nov 2016 09:16What about the standard brick (possibly with insulation filling)? That is actually my favorite—monolithic construction using a very thick brick without additional exterior insulation. I am definitely not a fan of ETICS either.
Unbelievable how much nonsense the first reply contains 😉 Right away all the common bar talk has been brought up 😀
@TobiasW: You do realize that all buildings nowadays are built airtight (hello Blower Door Test), right? It doesn’t matter if you build with facing brick or apply any thickness of external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) to the wall, it is airtight. And no, walls do not breathe—that’s physically incorrect.
@OriginalPoster: When it comes to single-family houses, the building material is usually a secondary concern unless you have special conditions (for example, your house is located right on a busy road and soundproofing is extremely important). If that’s not the case, you won’t notice any difference indoors whether you use ETICS, no ETICS, calcium silicate bricks, aerated concrete, or clay bricks, etc.
I agree with BeHaElJa: Build the way it’s typically done in your region, so local contractors are familiar with it. Good workmanship is many times more important than the type of brick or system you choose. Usually, the regionally common methods are also more cost-effective.
What is “right” — ask ten people and you will get fifteen answers. If you go to the “pink” forum, 85% will tell you to build with ETICS because separated systems are advantageous (one layer for structural stability, one layer for insulation, each doing exactly what it does best) and you can achieve excellent insulation values with less wall thickness. In the next forum, 85% will tell you to build with XXXX….
Regarding mechanical ventilation with heat recovery: In my opinion, it is nowadays always mandatory because buildings must be airtight. No one manages to ventilate sufficiently (unless they are unemployed). Secondly, it greatly increases living comfort.
@TobiasW: You do realize that all buildings nowadays are built airtight (hello Blower Door Test), right? It doesn’t matter if you build with facing brick or apply any thickness of external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) to the wall, it is airtight. And no, walls do not breathe—that’s physically incorrect.
@OriginalPoster: When it comes to single-family houses, the building material is usually a secondary concern unless you have special conditions (for example, your house is located right on a busy road and soundproofing is extremely important). If that’s not the case, you won’t notice any difference indoors whether you use ETICS, no ETICS, calcium silicate bricks, aerated concrete, or clay bricks, etc.
I agree with BeHaElJa: Build the way it’s typically done in your region, so local contractors are familiar with it. Good workmanship is many times more important than the type of brick or system you choose. Usually, the regionally common methods are also more cost-effective.
What is “right” — ask ten people and you will get fifteen answers. If you go to the “pink” forum, 85% will tell you to build with ETICS because separated systems are advantageous (one layer for structural stability, one layer for insulation, each doing exactly what it does best) and you can achieve excellent insulation values with less wall thickness. In the next forum, 85% will tell you to build with XXXX….
Regarding mechanical ventilation with heat recovery: In my opinion, it is nowadays always mandatory because buildings must be airtight. No one manages to ventilate sufficiently (unless they are unemployed). Secondly, it greatly increases living comfort.
@Tego12: I wouldn’t call it cheese.
It’s clear that the buildings are airtight. However, it does make a difference whether I use natural materials for the wall construction or cover a sand-lime brick with plastic. The better natural moisture regulation will come from the natural wall assembly. Some form of diffusion will definitely occur.
It’s clear that the buildings are airtight. However, it does make a difference whether I use natural materials for the wall construction or cover a sand-lime brick with plastic. The better natural moisture regulation will come from the natural wall assembly. Some form of diffusion will definitely occur.
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