ᐅ Which type of brick or block should be used?

Hello, as a beginner I’m reaching out to get some advice. We are planning to build ourselves soon or buy a shell house. With so many providers available, it’s hard to keep track. I definitely want a solid (masonry) construction. My problem: which type of block to choose? So far, the ones that stood out most positively to me are Ytong and wood chip formwork blocks that are filled with concrete, like with B&S Bau. Others swear by bricks. My questions for you:

1) Is there a good compromise between effective insulation, good soundproofing, and ease of installation?
2) Are there any issues with plastering, meaning extra work involved?
3) What do you think about filling the blocks with concrete?
4) Your favorite type of block? Why?

Discussions with both companies will take place soon, so maybe I’ll know more then or be able to ask the right questions from you.
Thanks for your help!!!

Sound Insulation

1. Ytong performs quite well in terms of sound insulation. The weak points for sound transmission are windows and doors, which are present with any building material!

2. The Ytong building kit comes with a special plaster. However, other types of plaster can also be used; see the plaster manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Nothing special. Adhesion with Ytong is simply easier because no filling is necessary, resulting in a homogeneous wall structure without thermal bridges caused by spilled concrete. It is easier to install because no crane or concrete pump is needed. Wall channels for installations are easier to create. The building kit also includes ceiling elements, which are like beams and very easy to lay, and so on.

4. It’s obvious, isn’t it?

Hello, we built with Ytong and are quite satisfied with it. I would say the downside is that the blocks are very soft, so edges or holes tend to chip easily if you press too hard while drilling. Also, you need special anchors to hang anything, and these anchors are quite expensive. The blocks absorb a lot of water when wet and take a long time to dry. You also have to prime very thoroughly if you want to apply plaster, for example, because the blocks are quite absorbent. An advantage is that installing cables or making openings is very easy, and the thermal insulation value is excellent. The blocks are very lightweight, and because they are bonded with adhesive, it's quite simple to do some work yourself. I have also heard that some people build external walls with Ytong due to its good thermal insulation, and interior walls with calcium silicate blocks or similar, so you can use a denser block for the interior rooms.

Hello and good evening,

For me, there are still some other important questions:

Where do you want to build? Because not all types of stone are available everywhere, or transport costs might be very high depending on the region. For example, in the area around Neuwied and approximately 100-150 km (60-90 miles) radius, compressed volcanic stone is the best option. It stands out due to an excellent balance of sound insulation and thermal insulation. For a 30 cm (12 inches) masonry wall with 6 cm (2.5 inches) insulation, this stone works well. There are tables from manufacturers, such as Bisotherm, to guide you. As a practical builder, I consider this the best stone because the first layer always needs to be installed with mortar, regardless of whether it’s aerated concrete, sand-lime brick, Bisotherm, or perforated brick. All subsequent layers can be glued.

I would not recommend sand-lime bricks or concrete blocks. They provide very good sound insulation but have poor thermal insulation. According to the latest building energy regulations, about 16 to 20 cm (6-8 inches) of thermal insulation would be required.

Hollow bricks are also recommended. Due to their many small air chambers, they are an excellent choice, for example, from Wienerberger. But again, keep an eye on transport costs.

In summary: Visit a building material supplier of your choice and ask which stones they offer. Request quotes and compare them.

I don’t think much of aerated concrete blocks (Ytong). These are the houses I could break into with a chainsaw. They simply lack compressive strength and have very poor sound insulation.

Finally, please consider carefully whether you really want to apply an exterior plaster finish. Because with an exterior plaster, you seal the masonry. Masonry is intended to absorb moisture from the rooms, gradually release it, and channel excess moisture outward. If the façade is sealed from the outside, this process no longer works. This leads to poor indoor air quality and rot formation. There are already studies from the University of Stuttgart on this, as these will be the building defects of tomorrow.

I hope I haven’t unsettled you, but this is important for a long-lasting, damage-free house.

What does this mean for the masonry? No plaster? I can’t quite follow that...

A bunch of nonsense!!! Or what exactly are you trying to sell???