Solid construction

Solid Construction - Solid construction refers to a building method in which load-bearing walls and floors are constructed using solid building materials such as masonry, reinforced concrete, or sand-lime brick. It is the most common construction method for residential buildings in Germany and is known for its durability, long-term value retention, and effective sound insulation.

How Solid Construction Works in Detail

In solid construction, the walls themselves serve a load-bearing function - in contrast to post-and-beam construction, where a frame transfers the loads. Typical building materials include sand-lime brick, aerated concrete, brick (Poroton), lightweight concrete, and reinforced concrete. The exterior walls are built brick by brick or assembled using precast concrete elements and then fitted with an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) or core insulation.

The advantages of solid construction lie primarily in the high mass of the building components. Heavy walls store heat and release it gradually-this ensures pleasant coolness in summer and consistent room temperatures in winter. Sound insulation also benefits from the high bulk density: calcium silicate blocks, for example, achieve sound insulation values of over 55 dB and thus meet even the increased requirements in multi-family homes. In terms of fire protection, solid walls are non-combustible and achieve fire resistance classes of F90 and higher.

On the other hand, construction times are longer and costs are higher compared to prefabricated homes. While a prefabricated home with a wood-frame construction can be assembled on-site within a few days, a solid-construction home takes several months, depending on weather conditions and drying times. Experience shows that the costs for the shell alone are 10 to 20 percent higher than those of a comparable prefabricated house. In return, solid-construction houses generally retain their value better on the real estate market and can be remodeled more flexibly.

Solid-Construction Compared to Wood-Frame Construction and Prefabricated Houses

The key difference from wood-frame construction lies in the structure: In a prefabricated house, a wooden stud frame bears the loads, the spaces between the studs are filled with insulation material, and the frame is sheathed on both sides. Solid construction, on the other hand, relies on homogeneous, heavy wall sections. In practice, this means that solid-construction houses excel in sound insulation, fire protection, and heat retention, while prefabricated houses offer advantages in terms of construction time, predictability, and cost. Those who value a dry basement, flexible floor plan changes over the course of a lifetime, or a particularly long service life often opt for solid construction. The service life of a solidly built house is 80 to 120 years when constructed properly.

Energy Requirements in Solid Construction

The Building Energy Act (GEG) sets clear requirements for the thermal insulation of new residential buildings, which solid construction can meet through various approaches. Single-shell walls made of highly insulating bricks such as Poroton T9 or similar flat bricks achieve the required U-values without an additional ETICS. Double-shell exterior walls with core insulation or retrofitted ETICS systems are also common. For new buildings meeting the Efficiency House 55 standard (KfW 55) or better, a combination of well-insulated masonry, triple-glazed windows, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is now standard.

For existing solid-construction buildings, energy savings can be achieved through exterior facade insulation, basement ceiling insulation, and replacing single-pane windows with triple-pane windows. We recommend that owners have an Individual Renovation Roadmap (iSFP) drawn up before undertaking an energy-efficient renovation, which prioritizes measures and identifies eligible investments.

Practical Tip for Nuremberg and Franconia

In the Nuremberg metropolitan region, solid construction dominates residential building-both in new construction and in existing buildings. Many developers in Nuremberg, Fürth, and Erlangen rely on sand-lime brick or Poroton masonry in combination with ETICS. When purchasing an existing property, we can identify solid construction by the floor plan (load-bearing interior walls) and wall thickness.

Anyone planning to build a solid-construction home in Franconia should have the soil conditions assessed-careful foundation work is crucial, especially in areas with Keuper clay around Nuremberg-South and Schwabach. We recommend obtaining a soil investigation report early on to avoid additional costs during foundation work. In neighborhoods such as Langwasser and Nuremberg’s Südstadt, solid-construction buildings from the 1950s to the 1970s are widespread-here, it is worth conducting a moisture survey in the basement and ground floor areas before purchasing, as older waterproofing often no longer meets current technical standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a solid-construction house better than a prefabricated house?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. A solid-construction house generally offers better sound insulation, greater value retention, and more flexibility for future renovations. A prefabricated house, on the other hand, scores points for shorter construction time, lower costs, and greater planning reliability due to factory production. Both construction methods equally meet the current energy requirements of the Building Energy Act.

How much does a solid-construction house cost per square meter?

The pure construction costs for a solid-construction house range from approximately 2,200 to 3,000 euros per square meter of living space, depending on the specifications and region. In the Nuremberg metropolitan area, costs tend to fall in the mid-to-high range. Added to this are land costs, ancillary construction costs, and landscaping, so the total costs are significantly higher than the pure per-square-meter prices would suggest.

How long does a solid-construction house last?

When built to professional standards and maintained regularly, a solid-construction house can have a lifespan of 80 to 120 years. Many older buildings in Nuremberg-such as those in the Südstadt or Gostenhof neighborhoods-are solid-construction buildings from the Wilhelminian era and have stood for over 100 years. Key factors for longevity include a dry foundation, regular facade maintenance, and the prevention of moisture damage.

Which solid building materials are best suited for apartment buildings?

Calcium silicate brick is considered the preferred building material in apartment construction because it offers the highest sound insulation of all common masonry materials. In apartment buildings, sound insulation between residential units is regulated by law and is a key quality feature for both tenants and buyers. Calcium silicate blocks with core insulation or ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) have been the most common combination in new construction over the past decade in the Nuremberg metropolitan region.

Back to the Real Estate Glossary.