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ZEROHOUSE KNOWLEDGE

Clay Block with Mineral Wool: What Must Be Controlled

Clay blocks and mineral wool perform different functions. System quality depends on masonry, insulation support, air sealing and the façade.

Masonry and heat transfer

Check block type, void orientation, joints and structural arrangement. Do not transfer a block rating to masonry with different joints or inclusions.

Insulation and façade

Select insulation for the specific façade system and loading conditions. Density alone does not establish board suitability.

Air and moisture

Define the continuous air barrier, rain protection and drying route. Vapour permeability does not compensate for a leaking sill or flashing.

Bridges and workmanship

Assess ring-beam, lintel and window junctions separately. Fixings into hollow masonry need evidence for the specific system and load.

Common mistakes and limits

Board gaps, unsuitable fixings and mixed façade components create uncertainty. Do not infer whole-wall fire resistance or service life from insulation properties alone.

Substrate → fixings → insulation → rain control → inspectionSubstratefixingsinsulationrain controlinspection
ZeroHouse assessment diagram; not a construction detail.
Project review matrix
ItemParameterCheck / result
SubstrateHollow masonryFixings
InsulationContinuous fitInspection
FaçadeComplete systemCompatibility

What this means for your project

Agree the façade system and concealed-work checks. If the substrate or fixings differ from documentation, resolve suitability before installation.

Sources and scope of review

Checked: 2026-09-09. Editorial guidance; not evidence of compliance for an individual building.

Related reading

All guides in this topic · Design audit

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Walls

Coordinate the plaster air-control layer

If internal plaster provides airtightness, it must connect to junctions and penetrations. Gaps behind installations or beside floors are not compensated for by external mineral wool. Before concealment, identify areas that will become inaccessible and coordinate their completion with electrical and other trades. The assembly needs those connections as well as the nominal insulation thickness shown in the section.