Solid-construction house

Solid-construction house - A solid-construction house is a residential building whose load-bearing walls, floors, and foundations are constructed directly on-site using mineral building materials such as masonry (brick, sand-lime brick, aerated concrete) or reinforced concrete. Solid construction is the traditional building method in Germany and is characterized by high stability, good sound insulation, and a long service life.

Building Materials and Construction Types

In solid construction, various masonry materials are used, each with its own specific properties.

Bricks are the classic masonry material with excellent heat storage and moisture regulation properties. Modern hollow bricks with integrated insulation (Poroton T-bricks) achieve very good thermal insulation values and allow for single-shell exterior walls without an additional composite thermal insulation system.

Calcium silicate blocks (KS) offer the best sound insulation of all masonry materials and high load-bearing capacity with slim wall thicknesses. Due to their low thermal insulation, they are usually combined with an external insulation system (ETICS or curtain wall) and are particularly suitable for apartment buildings and townhouses.

Aerated concrete (Ytong, Xella) is a lightweight, well-insulating building material that is easy to work with. It offers good thermal insulation properties despite its low weight, but has comparatively lower sound insulation than calcium silicate blocks or bricks.

Reinforced concrete is used for foundations, basement ceilings, floor slabs, and load-bearing columns. In reinforced concrete construction (cast-in-place concrete), the concrete is poured on-site into formwork and reinforced with steel bars.

Advantages of solid construction

Solid-construction homes offer a lifespan of 100 years or more when properly built and regularly maintained. The solid walls provide excellent sound and fire protection-brick and sand-lime brick walls achieve fire resistance classes of F90 and higher, meaning they can withstand a fire for at least 90 minutes.

The heat storage capacity of solid walls creates a comfortable indoor climate: in summer, rooms heat up more slowly; in winter, the stored heat is released evenly. This effect is particularly pronounced with heavy building materials such as sand-lime brick and brick.

Another advantage is value retention: Solid-construction homes generally achieve higher resale values on the real estate market than comparable prefabricated homes and are rated more favorably by banks when it comes to mortgage lending. In practice, we observe that appraisers and banks apply longer remaining useful lives when determining the property value of solid-construction homes, which directly impacts the calculated market value.

Solid-Construction Homes vs. Prefabricated Homes

The most important practical difference lies not in quality, but in construction time and cost certainty. A solid-construction home is built on-site and is dependent on weather conditions and the progress of individual trades. Delays due to supply bottlenecks, frost, or labor shortages are more common in solid construction than in prefabricated homes, which are delivered as largely prefabricated units and assembled in a short time.

At the same time, the solid-construction house is more robust in terms of building physics. It is less susceptible to subsequent renovations, moisture, and age-related settlement. Those who wish to keep a property in the family for the long term or plan for the next century generally make the more durable choice with a solid-construction house.

Practical Tip for Nuremberg and the Metropolitan Region

In the Nuremberg metropolitan region, solid construction using brick or sand-lime brick is the predominant building method. Franconian sandstone, which characterizes Nuremberg’s cityscape, is a historical example of solid building culture, but is now used only in historic preservation.

We recommend that builders coordinate the choice of masonry material with the architect and structural engineer at an early stage. In quiet residential areas, a single-layer Poroton brick may be the most economical solution, while in densely built-up neighborhoods, sand-lime brick with insulation offers better soundproofing. Quality monitoring throughout the construction process by an independent expert protects against construction defects-in solid-construction homes, particularly regarding waterproofing, connection details, and the proper execution of thermal bridges.

Anyone buying an older solid-construction house in Nuremberg should have the basement waterproofing and the horizontal vapor barrier inspected-especially in Wilhelminian-style houses in the Südstadt or the Johannisviertel, these are often missing or no longer functional. Retrofitting waterproofing measures is possible, but involves costs ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 euros, depending on the scope of work. We assist buyers with the preliminary inspection using experienced building experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a solid-construction house cost compared to a prefabricated house?

The pure construction costs of a solid-construction house are generally on par with or slightly higher than those of a comparably equipped prefabricated house. The main difference lies in the construction time: While a prefabricated house is ready for occupancy in three to six months, building a solid-construction house typically takes nine to fourteen months. The longer construction time leads to higher interim financing costs and a longer period of double expenses if rent must be paid at the same time.

Which construction method is more energy-efficient?

Both construction methods can easily meet the requirements of the Building Energy Act (GEG). The decisive factor is not the construction method, but the quality of the building envelope-that is, the insulation thickness, window quality, and airtightness. Solid-construction homes have the advantage of higher heat storage capacity, while prefabricated homes with wood-frame construction benefit from the good insulating properties of the wood structure. There are no systematic differences in the Efficiency House standard.

Can a solid-construction home be retrofitted?

Yes, solid construction provides good conditions for future renovations. Non-load-bearing interior walls can be removed or relocated, and window and door openings can be modified-subject to structural analysis. Adding stories or extensions is also structurally easier to implement in solid-construction homes than in lightweight structures, as the existing load-bearing structure can generally accommodate additional loads.

What special considerations apply when buying an older solid-construction house?

Older solid-construction buildings often have typical weaknesses: missing or damaged basement waterproofing, single-pane windows, outdated electrical wiring, and uninsulated roof surfaces. Before purchasing, we recommend an independent building inspection by a building expert who systematically checks all critical components and quantifies the renovation needs. This allows for a realistic assessment of potential for negotiation on the purchase price and the actual investment required.

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