The Right Insulation to Upgrade Your Existing Building: Mineral Foam Boards
- archiformus .
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
When it comes to renovating older buildings, especially in Germany, every structure has its own set of challenges. If you're thinking about insulation, it’s important to choose the right material for your specific needs, particularly when dealing with renovating buildings that have unique problems like damp basements or fragile facades. While we at archiformus advocate for ecological insulation materials, we prefer mineral foam boards while tackling certain issues effectively.
Why We Advocate for Mineral Foam Boards
When it comes to solving insulation problems in older buildings, mineral foam boards offer unmatched benefits. Here’s why we advocate for them, especially for challenging renovation projects:
Perfect for Basements: Protection against moisture damage
Basements are particularly prone to moisture problems, mainly due to condensation forming along the internal walls when warm air meets cold surfaces.
This is where mineral foam boards excel—their moisture resistance and vapor permeability help control moisture buildup and allow proper air circulation, preventing issues like mold.
In one of our recent projects in Berlin, the Kulturbahnhof, our experts analyzed the internal walls and found a history of water seepage due to visible carbonation on walls. This likely due to years of exposure to fluctuating outside air temperatures.
During the renovation, preventing future moisture problems was a priority. Specialists assessed the building to find that external water protection systems had not been effective enough. Since the walls were underground, digging deep enough to repair them from the outside wasn’t a feasible option either. An internal protective layer was necessary, but it was not a guaranteed solution. To ensure proper moisture regulation and keep the walls dry, we specifically chose mineral foam boards for insulation.
Renovating Old Basements with New Functionality
In this context, "old" typically refers to buildings over 100 years old, which are quite common in Germany. Many of these basements were built at a time when waterproofing and insulation techniques were far less advanced than they are today. In addition to having little to no water protection—or outdated and ineffective methods—these spaces were primarily used for storing coal or potatoes and were never meant to stay dry.
Today, with advancements in technology, property owners also began looking to repurpose basements into living spaces. This shift created a growing need to keep basements dry and moisture-free, making the choice of proper insulation more important than ever.
Even at Kulturbahnhof, the design requirement itself was to transform an abandoned basement into livable spaces. The challenge wasn’t just insulating an old storage area—it was about creating a comfortable, energy-efficient environment suitable for daily use.
Mineral foam boards provide an ideal solution, ensuring effective insulation while maintaining the structural integrity of the building.
Preserving the Exterior Facade
An additional challenge when renovating older buildings is the preservation of their character, particularly the façade. In Germany, many buildings have beautiful, historical facades that cannot be altered. Conventional external insulation methods can often disrupt these features, but mineral foam boards are applied from the inside. This means the building's exterior remains intact while the insulation improves energy efficiency and overall comfort.
Fire Resistance
One of the standout features of mineral foam boards, especially compared to other eco-friendly materials, is their fire resistance. Unlike many traditional insulation materials, mineral foam boards are non-combustible. This offers an additional layer of safety, which is particularly important in older buildings where fire hazards may be relatively more prevalent due to outdated wiring or other structural risks.
In Summary: Why Choose Mineral Foam Boards
Ideal for Interior Insulation – Works where external insulation isn’t possible.
Preserves Historic Facades – Applied inside, keeping the exterior intact.
Prevents Moisture Issues – Controls condensation and reduces mold risk.
Fire-Resistant – Non-combustible and safer than many alternatives.
Recommended by Experts – Chosen for complex renovations like Kulturbahnhof.
At Archiformus, we believe in providing the best long term solutions for both your specific renovation needs and the planet. While mineral foam boards may have a higher initial cost, they offer long-term durability with minimal maintenance. That's why we trust mineral foam boards as the ideal material for many of the challenges we encounter in our work.
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