Refurbishment: what applies to residential and commercial buildings under heritage preservation

What special considerations apply to the refurbishment of residential and commercial buildings under heritage preservation?

The number of buildings under heritage preservation in Germany is estimated at around 850,000. These historic buildings offer several advantages: they are usually located close to city centers with established infrastructure and often feature better and more generously designed apartments than many new buildings. However, buildings under heritage preservation also have a disadvantage: comprehensive refurbishment is often required.

What is the difference compared to insulation in new buildings?

The Building Energy Act (GEG) generally also applies to heritage-listed buildings. However, the requirements in some cases differ significantly from those applicable to new buildings. If compliance with the GEG requirements would undesirably affect the substance or appearance of the heritage-listed property, exemption provisions apply. Disproportionately high construction costs may also result in a full or partial exemption from the GEG requirements.

All measures that alter the appearance or structural substance of the multi-family building must be coordinated with the heritage preservation authority. This means, for example, that approvals must be obtained in advance for new windows or for a new façade paint finish.

Internal insulation instead of external insulation in heritage-listed buildings

It is also important to know that, in the case of multi-family buildings under heritage preservation, the external façade may only be altered in exceptional cases. For this reason, internal insulation is almost always required. However, its professional implementation is significantly more complex than that of external insulation.

Tip: Before commissioning service providers to carry out work on a heritage-listed multi-family building, you should inquire whether they have experience with heritage refurbishment If this is not the case, you should obtain additional offers.