Building gable wall styles

Tim Robbins

There are different styles to building exterior walls. I note some builders build two layers of brick with an air gap in between. They then insert sheets of insulation in the air gap. Other builders use a wider breeze block and then put insulation on the interior.

Just wondering has anyone got a link to the different styles and the pro's and con's of the various approaches.

Thanks.

sydthebeat

Insulation internally should really only be considered for a retro fit / renovation jobs.

While its still acceptable (ish) for new builds, it IS the worst masonry method going.

its main pro is the space saving aspect and the bargain basement costs.

Its cons are many, including allowing major thermal bridges in the construction and not affording the thermal mass offer by other solutions.

Tim Robbins

sydthebeat wrote: »

Insulation internally should really only be considered for a retro fit / renovation jobs.

While its still acceptable (ish) for new builds, it IS the worst masonry method going.

its main pro is the space saving aspect and the bargain basement costs.

Its cons are many, including allowing major thermal bridges in the construction and not affording the thermal mass offer by other solutions.

I thought internal would have been better. Reason is because it is a better insulator than cement so it would stop heat reaching the bricks. Whereas when you put thermal insulation in between two layers of bricks the heat will reach the first layer of bricks and could be absorbed there?

sydthebeat

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I thought internal would have been better. Reason is because it is a better insulator than cement so it would stop heat reaching the bricks. Whereas when you put thermal insulation in between two layers of bricks the heat will reach the first layer of bricks and could be absorbed there?

Yes, this is called thermal mass. It's a good thing. It means that when your heating is not turned on, your blockwork acts like a storage heater and throws the absorbed heat back out into the rooms. This helps regulate temperatures within a home and negates 'warm up, cool down' fluctuations.


Internal insulation is also not great because it increases the risk of condensation problems.
Everywhere you have an internal block wall meeting your external blockwork, you have a break in your insulation. Not good.

Tim Robbins

sydthebeat wrote: »

Everywhere you have an internal block wall meeting your external blockwork, you have a break in your insulation. Not good.

Hey thanks for that. But when would you have an internal block wall? And why does that mean break in insulation? Surely you can just make the insulation flush?

sydthebeat

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Hey thanks for that. But when would you have an internal block wall? And why does that mean break in insulation? Surely you can just make the insulation flush?

your internal walls can be block or timber.
Generally its a better idea to have block internal walls, and most masonry houses would have block internal walls.
A block internal wall is tied into the external blockwork, therefore the insulation must stop when a internal block wall meets and external....

see here


If its a small extension timber internal walls may be acceptable depending on spans of roof timbers.

Tim Robbins

sydthebeat wrote: »

your internal walls can be block or timber.
Generally its a better idea to have block internal walls, and most masonry houses would have block internal walls.
A block internal wall is tied into the external blockwork, therefore the insulation must stop when a internal block wall meets and external....

see here


If its a small extension timber internal walls may be acceptable depending on spans of roof timbers.

Ah I see well explained.