ᐅ Skepticism Regarding External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) on New Multi-Family Residential Buildings
Created on: 6 Mar 2015 22:02
W
werschtl
Hello dear forum,
I would like to ask for some advice. We have purchased a condominium that is currently under construction as a new build. However, the more I learn about the construction methods, the more concerned I become. Especially regarding insulation, it can be quite alarming when following all these documents. With regard to External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS), you have the choice between bad and worse from one developer to another in our city.
In our case, the company enjoys a good reputation for quality and can refer to numerous references. The exterior walls are made of 20cm (8 inches) thick Silka-Ytong blocks and are then covered with 15cm (6 inches) thick STO polystyrene panels. Since our unit is being built with a penthouse character, there are numerous exterior walls in the kitchen, bedroom, and hallway. The north-facing facade (without windows) has only a 3m (10 feet) gap to the neighboring building. My concern is that due to this small distance, increased moisture accumulation on the wall surface could occur, potentially leading to heating problems or mold issues early on. Most construction companies working on similar projects use this type of build. Since the new regulation from 2014, even brick buildings are being covered with this plastic layer. In my view, this is a disaster. Probably, the indoor climate in such an apartment will be far from that of an older building.
Ideally, we would like to reverse the purchase.
Who has experience or knowledge about this type of construction? How many years might it take before serious problems arise?
Good luck
Frank
I would like to ask for some advice. We have purchased a condominium that is currently under construction as a new build. However, the more I learn about the construction methods, the more concerned I become. Especially regarding insulation, it can be quite alarming when following all these documents. With regard to External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS), you have the choice between bad and worse from one developer to another in our city.
In our case, the company enjoys a good reputation for quality and can refer to numerous references. The exterior walls are made of 20cm (8 inches) thick Silka-Ytong blocks and are then covered with 15cm (6 inches) thick STO polystyrene panels. Since our unit is being built with a penthouse character, there are numerous exterior walls in the kitchen, bedroom, and hallway. The north-facing facade (without windows) has only a 3m (10 feet) gap to the neighboring building. My concern is that due to this small distance, increased moisture accumulation on the wall surface could occur, potentially leading to heating problems or mold issues early on. Most construction companies working on similar projects use this type of build. Since the new regulation from 2014, even brick buildings are being covered with this plastic layer. In my view, this is a disaster. Probably, the indoor climate in such an apartment will be far from that of an older building.
Ideally, we would like to reverse the purchase.
Who has experience or knowledge about this type of construction? How many years might it take before serious problems arise?
Good luck
Frank
Regarding indoor climate: we first lived in an older building with polystyrene insulation, and now we live in a house built in 1995 insulated with mineral wool. The indoor climate in the first apartment was terrible – and it’s not much better in the current one. In my opinion, this is mainly because ventilating by simply opening the windows (especially at night) no longer works properly when the house is sealed as tightly as a sardine tin. Of course, clay plaster and wooden windows can probably manage moisture better, but I still believe the main issue is the stagnant air polluted by people. So either you have self-ventilating windows that were poorly installed, or some form of mechanical ventilation (even just a hole in the wall would do from my point of view).
D
DerBjoern9 Mar 2015 09:11Insulation does not affect the indoor climate, except for the temperatures 😉.
Whether it is fiberglass, EPS, or monolithic stone does not make a difference. The airtight layer is the interior plaster. Moisture transport through the walls is negligible. Yes, EPS has lower water vapor diffusion compared to, for example, fiberglass. The amount of moisture that can be transported through the walls to the outside is in the per mille range of what is generated inside the house. So, it can be neglected.
If you want fresh air inside the house, you need to ventilate. That is the only thing that helps!
Whether it is fiberglass, EPS, or monolithic stone does not make a difference. The airtight layer is the interior plaster. Moisture transport through the walls is negligible. Yes, EPS has lower water vapor diffusion compared to, for example, fiberglass. The amount of moisture that can be transported through the walls to the outside is in the per mille range of what is generated inside the house. So, it can be neglected.
If you want fresh air inside the house, you need to ventilate. That is the only thing that helps!
D
DerBjoern9 Mar 2015 10:00ypg schrieb:
I think the OP @werschtl just wanted to start some discussion here; otherwise, he would have spoken up in his own thread 😉/QUOTE]Not unlikely. KF keeps posting in various forums under different usernames...B
Bauexperte9 Mar 2015 12:00DerBjoern schrieb:
Not unlikely. KF keeps posting in various forums repeatedly under different usernames... Who is "KF"?
Regards, Bauexperte
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