Clay ceiling:
blocks, clay-straw wraps or loose fill
Intermediate floors between two storeys consist of a heavy and a light material. Filling the spaces between the floor joists with solid clay creates both good thermal mass and good airborne sound insulation. At the same time, the wood-protecting function of clay comes into play again here: it continuously draws moisture out of the timber and thus protects it against pests. On top of this lies a soft insulation material for impact sound insulation.
Clay blocks, clay-wrapped staves or clay fill?
Clay blocks are suitable for heavyweight construction, Clay-wrapped staves or a Clay fill. Depending on whether the ceiling joists are fully or only partially visible from below, you install the Clay fill either onto the sub-floor boards between the joists or over the full surface on boarding laid across the joists. However, full-surface use requires a honeycomb plastic support grid so that the loose fill does not shift or get trodden flat, for example under walkways.
The use of earth bricks has the advantage that they are already dry and therefore only introduce little moisture into the building. The earth bricks are also on a blind floor or formwork.
The classic build-up of a clay ceiling is created using prefabricated and pre-dried Straw-clay wraps. In old half-timbered or Umgebinde houses, these split timbers wrapped in a straw-clay mixture lie between the ceiling joists, either slid into a groove in the joist or resting on squared timber battens. They are plastered with clay from below and given a layer of tamped clay on top. Installation is simple and quick.
Trickle protection and exposed beams
When constructing the false ceiling, one should consider whether trickle protection is necessary and appropriate: while a fully plastered ceiling does not tend to trickle, this can be the case at the contact points between plaster and beams.
Clay ceiling block – the solid and durable solution for ceiling construction
Anyone who values stability, mass and a reusable clay content in ceiling construction will find in the Clay ceiling block an ideal solution.
It combines the traditional advantages of clay with modern dimensional accuracy and easy application. Where historically Straw-clay wraps was worked with, can today, in line with the current state of the art, Clay ceiling blocks are used, so to speak "clay-wrapped staves 2.0".
In contrast to a Clay fill or to Straw-clay wraps is created with the Clay ceiling block a dry layer that can bear loads immediately, stores heat, dampens sound and buffers humidity – without adding any construction moisture.
Why Clay ceiling blocks?
The solid blocks are laid between the ceiling joists or on timber boarding.
Thanks to their weight, they make a decisive contribution to sound insulation and heat storage between two storeys.
At the same time, the clay protects the timber: it draws excess moisture out of it and effectively prevents rot.
The Clay ceiling block system by conluto
The conluto Clay ceiling block is a specially shaped, trapezoidal brick that hangs precisely into prepared ceiling bays. Installation is dry and quick, with no mortar or adhesive. An edge insulation strip between the brick and the timber joist prevents the transmission of vibrations and also improves room acoustics.
- Reusable clay content: combination of wood and clay – the clay content is reusable.
- Moisture-buffering: absorbs water vapour when humidity rises and releases it again when humidity falls.
- Thermally active: high mass for even temperatures in summer and winter alike.
- Saves CO₂: up to 60 % lower emissions compared with conventional ceiling build-ups.
- Reusable: dry-installed, can be dismantled and reinstalled at any time.
Construction and integration
A wood-based structural board is fitted over the inserted clay ceiling blocks and serves as the load-bearing base for the floor build-up.
This is followed – depending on the desired build-up – by impact sound insulation and solid wood floorboards, for example Manor house floorboards.
On the underside, the ceiling can be finished with a clay paint or a fine clay plaster, creating a closed, aesthetic surface.
The result is a solid, climatically active ceiling that convinces both technically and visually thanks to its combination of wood and clay – for building with natural building materials.
to the ceiling block for ceiling beams
Advice & products for your clay ceiling
Intermediate floors are a sensitive building component in terms of structural engineering, building physics and sound insulation. If you briefly describe your project to us (existing building/new build, spans, intended use), we will work together to find the right build-up using clay blocks, clay-straw wrapped staves or clay fill.
You can find suitable products in the shop under:
Clay bricks Clay fills Clay-wrapped staves
and, of course, in the insulation materials for the Impact sound. For detailed questions about application, we are happy to help by phone or email.