ᐅ Difference in Soundproofing Between a Solid (Masonry) House and a Prefabricated (Modular) House?
Created on: 18 Aug 2017 16:05
O
OliverK
Hello dear forum,
We are a family of four planning to build a single-family house in Ingolstadt by the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018. We are still at the very beginning and are currently looking for the best building partner for us (if anyone has a recommendation in this region, we would be very happy to hear it!). The first major decision is whether to choose a general contractor or an architect, and whether to build a prefabricated house using timber construction or a solid masonry house built with bricks.
We have done a lot of research and have realized that the most important difference for us between a solid masonry house with bricks and a prefabricated timber house is sound insulation. This is supposed to be better in a masonry house and is an important point for us since we have two small children.
The question is how big this difference really is. Bien-Zenker (our current favorite for prefabricated timber houses) also offers a hybrid wall called “EFFIZIENZHAUS 40 KLIMA-MASSIVWAND,” which combines timber and brick elements. Does this mean there is practically no difference compared to a traditional solid masonry house? Or is this just marketing hype?
Regarding indoor climate, our current understanding is that there is not much difference between brick construction and timber construction since modern new builds are airtight anyway, and it mainly depends on a good ventilation system. Therefore, sound insulation seems to be the last major difference, especially since both types of construction are supposed to be similar in price.
Could you please shed some light on this for us?
Thank you and best regards,
Oliver
We are a family of four planning to build a single-family house in Ingolstadt by the end of 2017 or beginning of 2018. We are still at the very beginning and are currently looking for the best building partner for us (if anyone has a recommendation in this region, we would be very happy to hear it!). The first major decision is whether to choose a general contractor or an architect, and whether to build a prefabricated house using timber construction or a solid masonry house built with bricks.
We have done a lot of research and have realized that the most important difference for us between a solid masonry house with bricks and a prefabricated timber house is sound insulation. This is supposed to be better in a masonry house and is an important point for us since we have two small children.
The question is how big this difference really is. Bien-Zenker (our current favorite for prefabricated timber houses) also offers a hybrid wall called “EFFIZIENZHAUS 40 KLIMA-MASSIVWAND,” which combines timber and brick elements. Does this mean there is practically no difference compared to a traditional solid masonry house? Or is this just marketing hype?
Regarding indoor climate, our current understanding is that there is not much difference between brick construction and timber construction since modern new builds are airtight anyway, and it mainly depends on a good ventilation system. Therefore, sound insulation seems to be the last major difference, especially since both types of construction are supposed to be similar in price.
Could you please shed some light on this for us?
Thank you and best regards,
Oliver
11ant schrieb:
From the aerial photo, I estimate that it is, besides being flat, quite level horizontally as well? Is this in reference to the development (and all the old buildings, which will be removed)?Exactly, the plot is almost a rectangle. The old buildings will be completely removed. There is no development plan / planning permission.
This year, we had a broken water pipe in the kitchen of our 16-year-old solid brick house. The wall was opened up, the pipe repaired, and then the wall was dried and closed again. It was all quite straightforward, and now you can’t see any signs of it. I don’t want to imagine how this would have looked if we had a timber frame house with mineral wool insulation. It’s the same with drilled holes in the wall. Most prefabricated timber houses have a vapor retarder behind the wood-based panel or drywall. Whenever I drill a hole in the wall, I’m puncturing this vapor barrier, and over the years, quite a few holes can accumulate. For me, prefabricated houses only have potential disadvantages and no real advantages.
Best regards,
Sabine
Best regards,
Sabine
OliverK schrieb:
Exactly, the plot is almost rectangular. I meant the elevation profile. In the aerial photo, you can only see flatness, but not whether that surface is slightly sloped.
Curly schrieb:
For me, there are only possible disadvantages with prefab houses, but no decisive advantages. Although you mention reasons based on facts, the phrase "for me" seems to be an important part of your statement. While there are indeed numerous construction differences between timber frame and masonry construction, homebuyers are people and are allowed to have feelings. Because personal comfort or discomfort can therefore play a role, I don’t find it important to establish "the" truth about the better construction method purely on a factual level. For example, I am a "blue personality type," which means I am essentially fact-oriented and should, in theory, acknowledge the differences and judge (only) based on them. In reality, however, I feel equally comfortable in houses of both construction types and with the idea of buying either one. An aunt of mine once had such a house: timber frame prefab, with a basement and extension (formerly a garage) built as solid masonry, and later the living room was enlarged by opening up into the garage. That works too. Traditionally, a masonry house also has a room-in-the-roof design.
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11ant schrieb:
I meant the elevation profile. In the aerial view, you can only see flatness, but not if this flat area is slightly sloped. Oh, sorry. Yes, the entire plot is quite level without any slope.
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