Thermal insulation
Effective insulation under screed for greater energy efficiency
In times of rising energy costs, efficient thermal insulation is essential. With the right insulation under your screed, you not only reduce heating costs, but also improve the quality of your home and make a valuable contribution to climate protection. Our screed specialists offer tailor-made solutions with high-quality insulation materials - from EPS and XPS to natural options such as cork and coconut fiber. We adapt the insulation thickness and compressive strength precisely to your requirements, ensuring ideal thermal and acoustic insulation. Rely on our expertise for a sustainable, energy-efficient home.
Why effective thermal insulation under screed is essential
Effective insulation not only provides pleasant warmth in winter, but also keeps the heat outside in summer. Insulation materials that we lay under the screed help to minimize the transfer of heat between indoor rooms and the outside air. The result: less heating required, lower energy costs and an improved indoor climate.
Advantages at a glance:
- Reduced energy consumption: You can significantly reduce your heating costs by reducing heat loss.
- Improved sound insulation: Our insulation boards also act as impact sound insulation, which reduces the noise level in the house.
- Increasing the value of your property: Good insulation means greater living comfort and can increase the value of your property in the long term.
Which insulation materials suit my requirements?
We offer a selection of insulation materials that can be individually adapted to your needs - from highly effective EPS and XPS boards to glass wool and rock wool through to ecological materials such as cork and coconut fiber. We will find the right solution for every requirement:
- EPS and XPS boards: Ideal for high insulation values and resistant to moisture.
- Glass and rock wool: Excellent choice for fire and sound insulation, resistant to mold and vermin.
- Cork and coconut fiber: diffusion-open, natural materials with ecological benefits.
Important material properties:
- Thermal conductivity (λ value): Indicates how effectively a material retains heat inside.
- Heat storage capacity: Relevant value for the temperature stability of indoor spaces.
- Compressive strength and load-bearing capacity: A decisive factor, especially with underfloor heating and high loads.
Which insulation materials are suitable for your floor structure?
The choice of thermal and impact sound insulation under the screed depends on the available floor height and the requirements of the construction project. Below we explain a typical layer structure for new buildings with underfloor heating and a total construction height of 18 cm:
1st floor covering (1.5 cm)
The final floor covering (e.g. tiles or parquet) is taken into account in the planning. Therefore, after deducting the floor covering, 16.5 cm of the 18 cm remain for the other layers.
2nd screed layer (6.5 cm)
Typically, 6.5 cm is provided for the screed. After this step, 10 cm remain for the insulation and installation layers.
3. 1st layer of thermal insulation (3 cm)
Sanitary and heating installations are often laid directly on the floor slab and require a height of around 3 cm. Here, 3 cm thick insulation ensures even coverage and protects the pipes. The thickness of the insulation can vary depending on the diameter of the pipes.
4. 2nd layer of thermal insulation (4 cm)
The next 4 cm are filled with EPS (expanded polystyrene) insulation, which offers excellent thermal insulation performance and good pressure resistance. XPS insulation (extruded polystyrene) is often used in areas subject to higher loads, such as garages or industrial areas, as it is even more pressure-resistant.
5. staple boards, if necessary impact sound insulation (3 cm)
The remaining 3 cm are reserved for the tacker plates of the underfloor heating. These provide additional thermal insulation and impact sound insulation and ensure even heat distribution. Tacker boards with a lower thermal conductivity group (e.g. 0.40) are suitable for more thermal insulation, while a higher thermal conductivity group (e.g. 0.45) is ideal for increased impact sound insulation.
For projects with special requirements in terms of thermal insulation performance, aluminum-laminated insulation boards are an excellent option. They offer excellent thermal insulation values, but without impact sound insulation. On upper floors, additional impact sound insulation can improve the room acoustics and further increase living comfort.
Advantages of insulation boards - and what distinguishes them from other insulation materials
Insulation boards offer several advantages over loose insulation materials:
- Efficient installation: The panels can be attached directly to the substrate, which reduces the time required.
- Flexibility with cut-outs: We cut cut-outs for cables and pipes precisely on site.
- Optimum stability and durability: Insulation boards support each other, which is particularly advantageous for demanding geometries.
What sets us apart: Care, precision and individual advice
Successful insulation begins with the choice of material and extends to perfect installation on site. Our specialists will advise you on all aspects of insulation technology and take the following points into account:
- Optimum insulation values for energy savings
- Effective sound insulation for quiet living
- Avoidance of thermal bridges for maximum efficiency
- Compressive strength and load-bearing capacity, adapted to your requirements
- Sustainable materials and environmentally friendly disposal
Rely on our expertise - for your individual insulation solution
We offer you customized solutions that are precisely tailored to your requirements and will give you long-term pleasure. From comprehensive advice to professional implementation, we are at your side to ensure sustainable and effective insulation. Contact us today to find out more about the options for your project and benefit from our experience and expertise.
Questions & answers about insulation
The choice between EPS and XPS depends on the area of application. EPS insulation is the preferred choice in residential buildings and offers good thermal insulation performance with low weight. XPS, on the other hand, is more pressure-resistant and is suitable for high loads, such as those occurring in garages. For specific requirements, additional aluminum-laminated thermal insulation can be used, which offers a particularly low thermal conductivity group.
The thickness of the insulation depends on the insulation requirements and the available construction height. A typical structure in modern new buildings often provides for 20 cm of insulation under screed. With thicker insulation layers, however, a correspondingly adapted screed thickness is necessary to ensure load-bearing capacity and stability.
The cement screed should be between 4.5 cm and 8 cm thick, depending on the area of application and the laying or bonding technique.
For underfloor heating systems, suitable thermal insulation is first laid to minimize heat loss downwards. This is followed by the laying of the staple plates on which the heating pipes are fixed. These panels also provide thermal and impact sound insulation and therefore contribute to even heat distribution and pleasant acoustics.
Yes, subsequent insulation on screed is possible, but only if there is no underfloor heating. In these cases, the screed must be completely removed before the insulation can be installed. The installation height and compressive strength of the new insulation layer can then be optimally adapted to the structural conditions.
Especially in areas with high loads, such as underfloor heating or industrial applications, the compressive strength of the insulation plays a decisive role. Materials such as XPS or high-strength EPS variants offer the necessary stability here and are therefore ideal for this application. Even with insulation layers of 20 cm or more, the load-bearing capacity of the screed is crucial for long-term stability.
Yes, in addition to thermal insulation, insulation boards also provide excellent impact sound insulation. Particularly in apartment buildings or when working in commercial buildings, sound insulation is a great advantage for quiet living.
With the right choice of material and professional installation, insulation can lead to noticeable savings after just a few years. In addition to the reduction in heating costs, the increased living comfort is also a decisive advantage.