ᐅ Swedish Prefabricated Panel House / AB-Elementhus Renovation vs Demolition
Created on: 12 Jun 2019 17:51
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HarvSpec
Hello everyone,
We have purchased a Swedish prefabricated house from the company AB-Elementhus. It features a solid masonry ground floor, on top of which the prefabricated house is built.
Initially, the plan was to completely demolish the house and replace it with a new cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure of the same size.
While studying the building documents and permits for the AB-Elementhus house, I was positively surprised by the construction.
The wall assembly is (inside to outside) 2cm (0.8 inches) cross-laminated timber, 16cm (6 inches) compressed wood chips, 2cm (0.8 inches) cross-laminated timber, and 0.2mm (0.008 inches) stove-lacquered aluminum.
The planned layout of the new building could be realized within the existing structure, so I am now considering renovating and upgrading instead of demolishing (insulation, interior, windows, etc.).
Does anyone have experience with these houses?
Best regards,
Harv
We have purchased a Swedish prefabricated house from the company AB-Elementhus. It features a solid masonry ground floor, on top of which the prefabricated house is built.
Initially, the plan was to completely demolish the house and replace it with a new cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure of the same size.
While studying the building documents and permits for the AB-Elementhus house, I was positively surprised by the construction.
The wall assembly is (inside to outside) 2cm (0.8 inches) cross-laminated timber, 16cm (6 inches) compressed wood chips, 2cm (0.8 inches) cross-laminated timber, and 0.2mm (0.008 inches) stove-lacquered aluminum.
The planned layout of the new building could be realized within the existing structure, so I am now considering renovating and upgrading instead of demolishing (insulation, interior, windows, etc.).
Does anyone have experience with these houses?
Best regards,
Harv
Hello Dietmar,
Regarding point 1, I can’t say much since I have the old wall construction. However, it will probably be necessary to consult an expert of your choice (architect or similar) to address this properly and permanently (dew point calculation, etc.).
Regarding point 2: we installed underfloor heating throughout the entire house. Since the ceiling height is limited, we used a very low-profile dry system, which is installed between the battens of our solid wood floorboards. There are some pictures of it somewhere in this forum; just search through my posts.
Best regards
Regarding point 1, I can’t say much since I have the old wall construction. However, it will probably be necessary to consult an expert of your choice (architect or similar) to address this properly and permanently (dew point calculation, etc.).
Regarding point 2: we installed underfloor heating throughout the entire house. Since the ceiling height is limited, we used a very low-profile dry system, which is installed between the battens of our solid wood floorboards. There are some pictures of it somewhere in this forum; just search through my posts.
Best regards
Hello Dietmar,
I have the same wall construction as you, but my exterior is a brick veneer. I have never needed to renovate the walls. The house was built in 1980, and since then I have cleaned and impregnated the brickwork twice.
For heating, I installed a two-pipe system on the upper floor. On the ground floor, I only added underfloor heating in the bathroom and replaced all radiators throughout.
I have the same wall construction as you, but my exterior is a brick veneer. I have never needed to renovate the walls. The house was built in 1980, and since then I have cleaned and impregnated the brickwork twice.
For heating, I installed a two-pipe system on the upper floor. On the ground floor, I only added underfloor heating in the bathroom and replaced all radiators throughout.
Thank you very much for the information, HarvSpec and Luponell!
Since I’m (unfortunately) not a DIY expert, I will only let professionals handle the renovation anyway. During the initial inspection, I will have an energy consultant with me who also prepared the current energy certificate, as well as a heating specialist. I will report back after the inspection.
I have downloaded almost all the pictures from the forum.
I also like the Thermisto dry system, but I think I first need to take a closer look at the floors. The neighbors on both sides, who have identical houses, encouraged me, but they still have not installed new (surface) heating systems and have been heating with oil for over 40 years. That is no longer an option for me.
I’m curious to see how things progress and will update here right after the inspection (on February 1st).
Since I’m (unfortunately) not a DIY expert, I will only let professionals handle the renovation anyway. During the initial inspection, I will have an energy consultant with me who also prepared the current energy certificate, as well as a heating specialist. I will report back after the inspection.
I have downloaded almost all the pictures from the forum.
I also like the Thermisto dry system, but I think I first need to take a closer look at the floors. The neighbors on both sides, who have identical houses, encouraged me, but they still have not installed new (surface) heating systems and have been heating with oil for over 40 years. That is no longer an option for me.
I’m curious to see how things progress and will update here right after the inspection (on February 1st).
Hello Dietmar,
Sorry for the late reply. We have a Coloroc facade and decided to keep it. Instead of insulating from the outside, we installed interior insulation and covered the drywall with clay boards and clay plaster.
In our immediate neighborhood, there are two more single-family homes: one has a brick veneer, and the other is externally insulated and plastered.
We are very satisfied with the Thermisto underfloor heating system, although the installation (we did it ourselves, the heating engineer only connected it to the manifold) was quite a challenge.
To clarify: as long as you can use the Thermisto prefabricated elements, the components and pipes are reasonably easy to install; it just takes a bit of practice to get the hang of the bends (literally). The more difficult parts are where the prefabricated elements cannot be used, for example, in front of the heating manifold where the pipes converge. That requires a lot of patience and some skill. But it’s worth it.
Regarding floors: at first, they looked quite good and level. But both the concrete ceiling to the basement and the floor formed by the ceiling elements in the attic were uneven and crooked, so leveling screeds were necessary on both floors.
I wish you much joy with your house. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or, for details like the underfloor heating, also by email.
Best regards,
Christoph
Sorry for the late reply. We have a Coloroc facade and decided to keep it. Instead of insulating from the outside, we installed interior insulation and covered the drywall with clay boards and clay plaster.
In our immediate neighborhood, there are two more single-family homes: one has a brick veneer, and the other is externally insulated and plastered.
We are very satisfied with the Thermisto underfloor heating system, although the installation (we did it ourselves, the heating engineer only connected it to the manifold) was quite a challenge.
To clarify: as long as you can use the Thermisto prefabricated elements, the components and pipes are reasonably easy to install; it just takes a bit of practice to get the hang of the bends (literally). The more difficult parts are where the prefabricated elements cannot be used, for example, in front of the heating manifold where the pipes converge. That requires a lot of patience and some skill. But it’s worth it.
Regarding floors: at first, they looked quite good and level. But both the concrete ceiling to the basement and the floor formed by the ceiling elements in the attic were uneven and crooked, so leveling screeds were necessary on both floors.
I wish you much joy with your house. If you have any questions, feel free to ask here or, for details like the underfloor heating, also by email.
Best regards,
Christoph
One more thing I’d like to add, Dietmar: We have large sections of our underfloor heating installed beneath wood floorboards. Thermisto has an ingenious system where the boards actually rest directly on the heat-conducting plates. It works perfectly – don’t let any carpenter, dealer, or salesperson tell you otherwise. Wood floorboards on underfloor heating don’t work with every type of wood, but it is possible. For example, pine is very nice, and larch works well too.
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Philipp261016 Mar 2023 12:01Hello everyone,
we are currently interested in a Swedish prefabricated house, model Visby, built in 1978.
We have noticed an unidentifiable odor.
During a phone call with a building biologist, I was told that the smell might be caused by mineral wool insulation that has slipped downward in the exterior wall, leading to moisture buildup.
Does anyone have experience with this type of house?
I would appreciate it if someone could share their experience.
Regards, Philipp
we are currently interested in a Swedish prefabricated house, model Visby, built in 1978.
We have noticed an unidentifiable odor.
During a phone call with a building biologist, I was told that the smell might be caused by mineral wool insulation that has slipped downward in the exterior wall, leading to moisture buildup.
Does anyone have experience with this type of house?
I would appreciate it if someone could share their experience.
Regards, Philipp
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