Safely renovate courtyard cellar ceilings and public spaces - with lightweight, pressure-resistant GLAPOR cellular glass gravel

Courtyard basement ceilings, underground car parks and urban squares place extreme demands on the construction method: high traffic loads, frost cycles, limited load-bearing reserves and permanently safe drainage. At the same time, modern urban planning increasingly demands green, lively surfaces – from public squares to green inner courtyards with playgrounds.

GLAPOR cellular glass gravel is the ideal structure when load-bearing capacity and lightweight construction are required at the same time.

Technical advantages of GLAPOR cellular glass gravel:

Particularly lightweight – relieves existing ceilings with low load-bearing reserves
High compressive strength – permanently load-bearing for pedestrian zones, delivery traffic and street furniture
Water & frost resistant – no softening, no frost cracking, no damaged areas
Non-flammable (A1 according to Euroclass) – ideal for public spaces and escape routes
Rodent and rot-proof – mineral, without organic components
Ecological – made from 100% recycled glass, recyclable and reusable
Can be perfectly combined with sponge city systems – enables rainwater retention and controlled infiltration

GLAPOR SG 2000 FGSV cellular glass gravel, optimized in accordance with current guidelines
for load-bearing surfaces, is particularly recommended for traffic areas, pavements and squares.

Why cellular glass gravel is superior for cellar ceilings

Many underground garages and existing ceilings from the 1960s-1990s have hardly any static reserves.

Conventional filling layers or concrete structures would be too heavy, whereas lightweight plastics are susceptible to deformation, moisture or fire risks.

Cellular glass gravel solves this problem with its combination of lightweight construction and load-bearing capacity: it ensures pressure-resistant structures with minimal dead weight and remains stable even when exposed to moisture.

This means that squares, terraces, play areas or catering areas can be realized safely above underground garages – without statically overloading the ceiling.

Sustainable spaces above old underground car parks

Many cities are facing the same challenges today: The inner courtyard or square above an old underground parking garage needs to become greener, more usable and more sustainable – perhaps with flower beds, trees, seating areas and play equipment.

But the concrete ceiling underneath is old, the waterproofing is at the limit of its use and the structural system is at its load limit.

This is where GLAPOR cellular glass gravel comes into play: it replaces heavy mineral layers, massively reduces the gravel load and still creates a load-bearing substructure for paving, paths, green areas or compaction.

The waterproof and pressure-resistant structure means that the load-bearing capacity is permanently maintained – and because GLAPOR is resistant to rodents, everything stays in place and nothing is destroyed.

Products for courtyard cellar ceilings and public spaces

GLAPOR cellular glass gravel

Lightweight, pressure-resistant and capillary-breaking. Quick to install, permanently insulating and rot-proof – ideal for traffic areas, building foundations and structural lightweight construction.

GLAPOR geotextile

Tear-resistant, reliable, durable. The robust geotextile from GLAPOR – perfect for cellular glass gravel applications in the perimeter area.

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✔ Customized project consulting

cellular glass 100% made in Germany

✔ 1 00+ million m³ of cellular glass installed

✔ Customized project consulting

cellular glass 100% made in Germany

✔ 100,000,000+ m³ of cellular glass installed

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about floor renovation in old buildings

FAQ

How can you insulate the floor retrospectively?

Retrofitting insulation to a floor is possible in almost all old buildings. First, the old floor covering is removed. Depending on the structure (e.g. wooden beam ceiling, solid ceiling or floor slab), a suitable insulation layer is then installed.

Loose fill with GLAPOR cellular glass gravel has proven its worth for wooden beam ceilings: It is pressure-resistant, insensitive to moisture, free-flowing and can fill the cavities in the intermediate floor without gaps – without the risk of mold.

Alternatively, cellular glass boards are also possible, for example for statically limited structures or in combination with dry screed systems. In solid construction, the insulation is applied directly to the bare ceiling – with impact sound decoupling boards, e.g. made of cellular glass or combined with soft insulation mats. Important: Always plan the installation height, load-bearing capacity and moisture protection.

How can I insulate my floor against noise from below?

Impact sound can be significantly reduced by using suitable insulating materials. The aim is to decouple vibrations between the load-bearing structure and the wear layer.

In old buildings, a combination of rigid thermal insulation (e.g. cellular glass) and a soft impact sound insulation mat or dry screed with integrated sound insulation is particularly effective.

Important: All layers must be laid over the entire surface and carefully decoupled – even small gaps lead to sound bridges. cellular glass has an additional sound-insulating effect due to its mass and can be ideally combined with lightweight structures.

How much does floor insulation cost?

The costs depend on the material, installation height and effort involved in laying. Assuming an insulation thickness of 25 cm, you can expect to pay €25-50 per m².

Note: XPS is petroleum-based, harmful to the environment and often hazardous waste with disposal costs. cellular glass gravel, on the other hand, consists of 100 % recycled glass, is reusable and does not incur any additional costs.

Subsidy programs from BAFA or KfW can significantly reduce the investment – provided they are applied for before the start.