Lightness, the number one asset of Xella cellular concrete for renovation and rehabilitation projects

While the new construction sector is slowing down due to various factors (inflation, high borrowing rates, difficult access to credit, etc.), the renovation and rehabilitation market is growing and is occupying an increasingly important place, particularly in the industrial and tertiary construction sector.

And to compensate for the lack of land, the high cost of land, to limit the artificialization of soils, etc., building higher up on an existing building is one of the increasingly popular solutions. This allows project owners to densify without mobilizing land, to rehabilitate wasteland or old buildings for uses other than the previous ones, or to extend if the PLU of the existing land allows it.

To meet market needs, build housing and contribute to the improvement of buildings in terms of energy savings, Xella cellular concrete construction solutions have many advantages.

Due to the lightness and intrinsic thermal performance of cellular concrete, Ytong blocks are perfectly suited to all types of projects: extension, elevation, major renovation (filling, sills, loggias, ITE supports) or compartment walls. Insulating, load-bearing or non-load-bearing, they contribute to improving the energy efficiency of buildings while allowing flexible renovation, improved living comfort and increased fire safety (4-hour fire break without coating from a thickness of 15 cm, i.e. the maximum in accordance with regulations). And thanks to their low weight, they can be raised without overloading the original construction too much.

As for Siporex tiles, which are both versatile and insulating, they allow for a multitude of applications: cladding, partitions/counter partitions, technical ducts, interior and exterior furniture.

Cellular concrete, a solution for rehabilitating, enlarging and raising buildings/houses/buildings

Ytong blocks are an excellent alternative to traditional construction solutions in terms of thermal insulation for extension projects and lightness for elevation projects. They improve the energy efficiency of buildings thanks to the most insulating masonry on the market (Bbio gains) also ensuring good summer comfort (phase shift between 9 a.m. and 23 p.m.).

In addition, with individual Class A2 Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (FDES) updated and available on INIES, Ytong cellular concrete complies with current and future regulations (carbon impact of blocks reduced by 21% between 2017/2021 and by 35% between 2021 and 2024).

Extension

Ytong blocks make it easy to create additional space or enlarge a living room. Thanks to its smart construction system, the Xella design office offers an optimization service that highlights the many benefits of cellular concrete: increased living space, reduced insulation, optimized construction costs, etc.

For example, less thick than traditional masonry, Ytong Compact 15 walls make it possible to increase the living space of a building. In addition, perfectly airtight, they offer an effective thermal barrier maintaining a comfortable temperature all year round.

Thanks to the insulating properties inherent to cellular concrete, Ytong blocks allow you to reduce energy costs while enjoying a space that remains warm in winter and cool in summer.

Furthermore, the reduced weight facilitates the handling of the blocks and the assembly of the walls while guaranteeing structural solidity that meets current standards.

Elevation/attic for collective/tertiary sector

Robust, insulating and fire-resistant, Ytong blocks allow you to safely enhance an existing house, or transform unused spaces by creating attics as part of a sustainable rehabilitation or new construction of collective or tertiary buildings.

Lightweight, they respect the existing structure by limiting the additional load of one or more additional floors. Their reduced weight not only facilitates handling during implementation, but also guarantees an elevation without major architectural constraints.

They contribute to significant savings for project owners, project managers and companies because there is no need to carry out consolidation work on foundations or load-bearing walls.

Filling of facades (walls or sills)

Used as non-load-bearing walls such as infill walls or in the context of spandrel applications, Ytong blocks allow the restructuring and modification of the aesthetics of facades (support for ITE) with minimal loads on the existing structure. Lightweight, solid, with excellent thermal resistance, they have incomparable assets for carrying out this type of project. Being the thinnest insulating masonry walls on the market, they allow a gain in living space on renovation projects.

Non-combustible and fire-resistant, with a high fire resistance class EI 240, Ytong blocks significantly reduce the risk of flames spreading through the façade while preserving the structural stability of buildings, property and people.

Very quick to implement, they are easy to cut, handle and assemble. This modularity allows easy adaptation to the architectural details of sophisticated facades.

Support for energy renovation

The unique properties of cellular concrete make Ytong and Siporex blocks an ideal support for the external thermal insulation of a building while providing durability to the structure. A real thermal shield, they are airtight and significantly reduce energy loss. They provide an effective barrier against temperature variations and good summer comfort for residents.

Fire-resistant partition wall

Non-flammable, non-combustible and with a fire resistance of EI 240 minutes, Ytong blocks are the most efficient for creating compartmentalization walls. They provide reliable and effective fire protection for premises by helping to prevent the spread of heat, flames and smoke.

The fire-resistant properties of cellular concrete allow the blocks to withstand the extreme temperatures generated by a fire and ensure the safety of occupants.
In addition, they are particularly resistant to the action of the fire hose and allow a return to operation of the building easier and faster.

The advantages of Ytong

Solid and solid cellular concrete
Airtight / water resistant
Simplified implementation
Durable, weatherproof, rodent resistant
Fireproof, non-flammable and non-combustible
Light and healthy
Insulating and airtight: R from 1,82 to 2,22 in 20 cm thickness and R = 1,36 in 15 cm thickness
Verified FDES (online on Inies)

Cellular concrete, a solution for renovating and fitting out

The Siporex range is the all-terrain solution, accessible to all, for carrying out interior/exterior development work and partitions. Versatile, Siporex straight and curved cellular concrete tiles allow you to create:

Counter partitions in old buildings

They dress the walls and easily transform the house from the inside while preserving its soul for a long time. Breathable, they promote the natural breathing of old walls and their insulating performance allows energy savings.

Finally, Siporex tiles guarantee healthy air, without any Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, and are certified by the Excell Green Zone label.

Additional rooms/partitions

Economical, lightweight, easy to work with and with unrivaled versatility, they are the solution for modulating rooms, creating new spaces, rearranging a house, an apartment, commercial premises, offices, etc. They offer good acoustic attenuation of 35 to 39 dB.

Insensitive to water, Siporex tiles constitute an effective barrier against water, splashes and ambient humidity. This characteristic makes Siporex an ideal material for partitioning spaces subject to high humidity levels (wet rooms, changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, etc.).

Half partitions

Robust, easy to install, resistant to shocks and heavy loads, Siporex tiles mounted in half-partitions are perfect for accommodating a glass roof, delimiting a space, etc.

Technical premises (laundry room, pool house, etc.)

Due to their fire-resistant (non-combustible and non-flammable), insulating and water-resistant properties, they provide maximum protection for equipment present in the premises.