Thermal insulation and airtightness layers can be professionally installed on building sites, even in winter! Pro clima’s humidity-variable membranes, such as INTELLO^®, are more impermeable to diffusion in winter and can reliably protect insulation against mould and damage to structures caused by moisture penetration.

Their diffusion resistance is sufficiently high even for short-term peaks in moisture associated with building activity. In summer, these membranes can become very permeable, thus ensuring the best possible conditions for drying out toward the inside. Vapour retarding membranes with constant diffusion resistances do not offer this additional protection.

In the past, there was less activity in the construction industry in Germany in wintertime. This has changed, and planning, construction and insulation are now carried out all year round! As a dry method of construction, timber construction has clear advantages in this regard, and while being a moisture-sensitive material itself, it doesn't add large amounts of additional moisture to the construction, so the project can progress faster if the timber is kept dry. In contrast, masonry construction needs to allow for sufficient time for the removal of excess building moisture due to the speed of construction progress; if not, increased dampness occurs in surrounding building materials that would otherwise have remained dry.

A careful, coordinated approach by all participating parties is necessary in order to construct reliable, well-protected structures even under these more challenging conditions in wintertime. This approach includes not just planning of the structure at all levels, but also coordination among all trades with regard to schedules and the work carried out.

Before moisture is introduced into the building as a result of plastering or installing screed, the insulation should be installed into the spaces between the framing and the vapour control layer should be sealed in an airtight manner.

The building should initially not be ventilated to allow the screed to harden without deformation or the formation of cracks from drying too fast. Depending on the type of screed used, the removal of building moisture can generally be initiated after just three days. This should then be done in a systematic, effective manner.

However, it is often the case that this moisture is not dried using drying equipment and is not removed by ventilation. If drying and ventilation are not carried out, a “tropical climate” can occur inside the building that can soon have a negative impact on a range of building components.

NZBC Clause E3.2 states 'Buildings must be constructed to avoid the likelihood of fungal growth or other accumulation of contaminants on linings and other building elements, and damage to building elements caused by the presences of moisture.' These requirements must be adhered to not only during the buildings use, but also during the construction period.