Building quality - Due to the different climate alone, the requirements for new buildings in Mallorca differ from those in central or northern European regions. But there are other differences too
.Small windows, thick walls and a fireplace for heating in winter. For centuries, these were the basic requirements for new buildings on Mallorca and other southern European latitudes. Those days are long gone. Today, detached houses and apartments on the island are built entirely or almost entirely to modern quality standards, i.e. with multiple glazing, ceiling and wall insulation as well as heating and air conditioning systems.
Problems: damp and mold
However, the requirements for the property in terms of local weather conditions have remained the same. „The fundamental differences between the building standards in Mallorca and those in Central Europe are climate-related“, says Andras Santha from the construction company Reformaster, for example. „In Mallorca we have a Mediterranean climate. Here we are mainly fighting against the heat. As there is no snow, the roofs are mostly flat and have a terrace," continues Santha. But the cold and rain on the island also have an impact on the requirements of new-build projects. „Moisture and mould are still a problem“, says Harry Buck, who has specialized in extensions and conversions as well as refurbishment and renovation projects with his company of the same name for many years. The reason for often clammy rooms and wardrobes is the lack of a horizontal moisture barrier under the masonry. This prevents moisture from rising from the ground. „Moisture barriers have been taken into account by architects for some years now, but they are still missing from the specifications of many new buildings.“
Pay attention to specifications before construction
And builders should pay particular attention to these before breaking ground. For interior fittings, Girharz recommends the use of drywall panels. Their advantages: In addition to clean and simple processing, the time factor and design options are the main reasons for the success of the building material. Entire interior fittings can be completed in record times, which means that construction completion times can be accelerated enormously. Always under the motto: „Time is money“! Despite these advantages, there are important points to bear in mind when using them. „A distinction must be made between gypsum-bonded and cement-bonded drywall boards. The most commonly used types of board are: the normal „whiteße“ gypsum plasterboard for living rooms and bedrooms, the impregnated „gnliche“ (ugs. (also known as damp-proof boards) for kitchens and bathrooms, and cement-bonded boards for wet rooms, swimming pools and outdoor areas, for example. There are also special panels for sound insulation and fire protection," explains Oliver Girharz.
As you are used to in Germany, you should also attach great importance to professionally carried out waterproofing work on Mallorca. In addition to waterproofing work on underground structures, e.g. cellar walls, this includes above all roofs and terraces. The choice of waterproofing material, whether liquid waterproofing or membrane-based materials, is often secondary. The main focus here is on professional planning and detailed execution. The most common execution errors occur at connections to walls, corners, penetrations or drains. Whoever decides to buy a new-build property in Mallorca should set the course for the future: And that means energy efficiency, smart home technology and solar energy. So-called passive houses are increasingly in demand on Mallorca, says construction expert Marcus Dreher. The same applies to the use of photovoltaics and water heating with solar energy. „What could be more obvious than covering a large part of the electricity requirement with solar panels on a sunny island like Mallorca? Thanks to advances in energy storage technology, solar technology, coupled with intelligent smart home solutions, offers an interesting alternative for building owners on Mallorca. It is important in any case: "Every builder should always look for a reliable, reputable partner who, if possible, has been working on the island for many years," advises Marcus Dreher. Qualified and neutral construction supervision will be more important than ever in the future, if only because all trades will work together even more closely and professionally in the future in order to achieve ever-higher standards and because building regulations often change that cannot be implemented directly by a single trade. This construction supervision should, if possible, begin as early as the planning and tendering phase and not just with the ground-breaking ceremony or the inspection of the shell“, says Dreher.
Professional sealing work is important
Passive heating, smart homes, solar energy
Qualified construction supervision important for success
