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
Well, a forum thrives on exchange. This includes opinions, concerns, hopes, and many other things that move people. Sometimes these are facts that seem completely obvious to oneself.
In any case, I believe that reading and informing yourself helps a lot. I was already aware that you built your house accordingly. And you will certainly have your (good) reasons for this. However, it is perfectly fine not to be swayed by expert reports commissioned by manufacturers and to scale down exaggerated fears of fundamentalist chemical opponents to a reasonable level. In the end, as so often, what remains is a feeling of what is right for oneself. And living has a lot to do with a good feeling.
But I am impressed by "...Although I am an engineer in a different field, I am definitely capable of understanding and calculating technical/physical/chemical properties. When you calculate things like water vapor diffusion through building materials yourself, or deal with chemical separation processes of HBCD with polymer chains,..." and sustainably so.
In any case, I believe that reading and informing yourself helps a lot. I was already aware that you built your house accordingly. And you will certainly have your (good) reasons for this. However, it is perfectly fine not to be swayed by expert reports commissioned by manufacturers and to scale down exaggerated fears of fundamentalist chemical opponents to a reasonable level. In the end, as so often, what remains is a feeling of what is right for oneself. And living has a lot to do with a good feeling.
But I am impressed by "...Although I am an engineer in a different field, I am definitely capable of understanding and calculating technical/physical/chemical properties. When you calculate things like water vapor diffusion through building materials yourself, or deal with chemical separation processes of HBCD with polymer chains,..." and sustainably so.
D
DerBjoern10 Mar 2015 10:34Voki1 schrieb:
But I am impressed by "...Although I am an engineer in a different field, I am certainly able to understand and calculate technical/physical/chemical properties. For example, when you calculate vapor diffusion through building materials, or work with chemical separation processes of HBCD involving polymer chains,..." and in a sustainable way.No, you are not. You are simply trying to make me look ridiculous because what I wrote does not align with your "belief."
It is unfortunate that such discussions always end up becoming personal despite the expressed desire to stay objective.
B
Bauexperte10 Mar 2015 14:25DerBjoern schrieb:
No, you’re not. You are just trying to make me look ridiculous because what I wrote doesn’t match your "belief." Well ... don’t read more into it than is there; architects generally tend to have quite a dry sense of humor 😀 The sentence from voki can also easily be understood exactly as it’s written 😉
Regards, Bauexperte
EveundGerd10 Mar 2015 14:34Bauexperte schrieb:
Well... don’t read more into it than is actually there; construction lawyers generally tend to have quite a dry sense of humor 😀 The sentence from voki can just as well be understood exactly as it is written 😉
Regards, BauexperteTrue.
Bauexperte schrieb:
Well ... don’t read more into it than what’s there; RAs generally tend to have a rather dry sense of humor 😀 The sentence from Voki1 can also be understood exactly as it is written 😉
Regards, BauexperteExactly. I tend to avoid ambiguous statements, even when I prefer not to be definitive. 😉