Front view of the reference property in Winterthur with Fixit 222 aerogel high-performance insulating plaster and various measuring sensors for evaluation

Fixit 222 Aerogel – long-term measurement on the reference property in Winterthur

Experimental setup

Results up to 2016

Results up to 2023

Interview with builders

Front view of the reference property in Winterthur with yellow-painted façade, Fixit 222 aerogel high-performance insulating plaster and measuring sensors on the masonry.

Results based on facts and figures for Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster

The hygrothermal behaviour was not yet known at the beginning of the product development of Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster, so a renovation with long-term monitoring and corresponding sensors was carried out on a selected test property in Winterthur, Switzerland. The first measurement phase ran from 2012 to 2016.

After the 10th anniversary of the insulating plaster being applied, we wanted to know exactly how it was doing so we reactivated the sensors in the façade in April 2023 and carried out further measurements – and the data is impressive!

Test setup and procedure of the long-term measurement for Fixit 222 Aerogel

  • Project start in 2012 with the façade renovation of a terraced house in Winterthur, Switzerland, which is subject to special building regulations. Energy-efficient renovation with a conventional external thermal insulation composite system was therefore not possible.
  • Work began with the removal of the old façade plaster down to the brickwork.
  • The temperature and humidity sensors were then installed at several locations subject to different levels of stress – in each case on the sunny south-east side of the house and on the shaded north-west façade.
  • The plaster was then applied using Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster with an application thickness of 50 mm and a Lamda value of 0.028 W/mK.
  • Over a period of four years, the sensors constantly recorded the temperature of the outside air, the temperature below the insulating plaster on the masonry and the relative humidity.
  • For the anniversary in 2023, we reactivated the sensors in March 2023 and recorded measurements again over a period of four weeks. 
  • In addition, the building was inspected with an infrared camera and the façade was examined for visual and functional defects or weak points.
Front view of the property in Winterthur with a measuring sensor at the top left next to the window and the raw brickwork before the insulating plaster was applied.

Step 1: Measuring sensors

The sensors (one sensor is visible to the left of the window) are installed on the previously exposed brickwork of the external façade.

Front view of the reference property in Winterthur after plastering with Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster and reinforcement; the base is still missing.

Step 2: Plaster application Fixit 222

The plaster application of the Aerogel insulating plaster with reinforcement layer was carried out above the sensors.

View of the façade with complete plaster structure consisting of Fixit 222 aerogel insulation plaster, a new base and textured plaster before painting.

 Step 3: Finishing plaster and paint

The finishing plaster with the coarse grain structure has been applied. The final coat of paint is still missing to complete the new exterior façade.

How did Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster perform in the long-term measurement from 2012 to 2016?

The graph shows the temperature and humidity trends over the four years of measurement. The results are very good.

Relative humidity on the masonry:

After the plastering work was completed in August 2012, the plaster dried evenly and quickly. By November 2012, the relative humidity below the insulating plaster on the masonry was already below 80 per cent.

At the end of 2013, the energy-efficiently renovated façade reached the steady state of the insulating render, as the relative humidity on the masonry was stable at between 50 and 60 percent from this point onwards.

Temperature differences and dew point:

The temperature differences between the cold outside air and the masonry under the insulating plaster measured over the test period of four years averaged between 6 °C and 8 °C in the winter months.

The temperature did not fall below the dew point in the steady state. Underneath the Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster, the masonry therefore remained warm and dry at all times measured.

What values did the measurement results show in 2023 after more than 10 years of Fixit 222 Aerogel on the south-east façade?

In March 2023, after more than 10 years of Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster, the building physics measurements and tests were carried out again by IABP Bauphysik AG and the sensors on the south-east façade were reactivated for four weeks. Unfortunately, the sensors on the north-west façade could no longer be activated. Further inspections of the exterior façade for damage or problem areas were also carried out. The measured values and the overall impression of the energy-efficiently renovated exterior façade are convincing facts and confirm the high quality and functionality of the innovative high-performance insulating plaster.

Graph showing moisture levels in masonry compared to outside air in 2023 after 10 years of using Fixit 222 Aerogel

Relative humidity on the masonry:

The relative humidity directly on the masonry averaged 40 per cent during the measurement period. This confirms the measurement results from 2012–2016. From a building-physics perspective, this situation and the insulating plaster are perfect for the masonry: the conditions are constantly dry and warm.

Graph showing the temperature of the masonry compared to the outside air in 2023 after 10 years of Fixit 222 aerogel

Temperature of the masonry:

The temperature under the insulating plaster directly on the masonry averaged 16 °C during the measurement period and was therefore around 8 °C to 10 °C higher than the outside temperature.

Infrared images of the energy-efficient renovation of the exterior façade:

In order to visually check the insulation effect, images of the exterior façade were taken with an infrared camera. As this is a mid-terrace house, you can see a clear difference compared to the neighbouring houses without energy-efficient renovation.

The heat loss of the energy-efficient renovation of the building is significantly lower and the façade has a much lower surface temperature than the neighbouring buildings – these shine in red, whereas the building plastered with Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster is shown in yellow-light green.

On the thermal image, the façade of the terraced house in Winterthur insulated with Fixit 222 Aerogel is light green/yellow, whereas the uninsulated neighbouring houses are bright red.
The detailed photograph of the exterior plaster shows that the plaster has no damage, cracks or problems whatsoever.

Checking the façade for damage or defects:

During the quality inspection of the exterior façade, the surface was checked for defects or damage and the overall condition was assessed. The plaster on the sunny south-east side is in impeccable condition – the trowel cast and the mineral surface coating show no cavities or flaking. The north-west side is also in very good condition – although this façade is almost always completely shaded and more exposed to weathering and spray water, there is no recognisable damage to the plaster.

No damage, cracks or microorganisms are visible on the exterior façade after 10 years.
After 10 years, there is also no damage to the plaster on the sunny side of the reference property.

Interview: the owners of the terraced house with the long-term measurement

The unique properties of Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster continue to impress even after more than ten years – both visually and with the measured values for building physics. This speaks in favour of the impeccable quality of the insulating plaster with Aerogel. To conclude the investigation measures, we conducted an interview with Mr and Ms Bretscher, the owners of the energy-efficiently renovated building.

Why did you decide in favour of Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster back in 2012 and not choose another insulating material?

We were not allowed to apply more than 6 cm of insulation to the two neighbouring terraced houses. With this low layer thickness, the insulation value of the Aerogel insulating plaster was expected to be significantly better than that of another conventional insulating plaster. This investment in better insulation was worth the additional costs of around CHF 10,000 forecast by the architect. In the final invoice, the additional costs were even much lower than assumed.
 

Are you still convinced of the insulation solution with Fixit 222 Aerogel after more than 10 years and are you still satisfied with your exterior façade?

Yes, because our indoor climate is very good. The condition of the façade is also impeccable, despite the heavy trowel-cast rendering and the weathering – especially on the north-west side.
 

Would you recommend the product Fixit 222 Aerogel?

Yes, of course, we've already done that.

The results speak in favour of the product innovation Fixit 222 Aerogel

We are proud that our product innovation Fixit 222 Aerogel high-performance insulating plaster continues to impress with its top functionality even after more than ten years and also looks perfect visually. The measured values and test results confirm that the high-performance insulating plaster is the right choice for the energy-efficient renovation of protected buildings.

Thanks to the outstanding Lambda value of the high-performance insulating plaster, an effective insulating effect is created even at low insulation thicknesses of three to four centimetres and the building's energy consumption is reduced. At the same time, the visual appearance of the exterior façade can be preserved, thereby fulfilling the requirements of monument, heritage and townscape protection. Fixit 222 Aerogel can also be used for organic geometries such as curves or arches – regardless of whether the product is to be used indoors or outdoors.

To the product Fixit 222 Aerogel

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