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Foam concrete vs Compofloor
Foam concrete is often mentioned as a solution for replacing ground floors, especially in homes with a crawl space. However, foam concrete isn't suitable for every home and presents significant considerations during renovations. When comparing foam concrete and Compofloor, you'll see significant differences in weight, renovation time, risks, and foundation load. These differences are especially significant for existing homes.
What is a foam concrete floor?
A foam concrete floor consists of a lightweight concrete mixture poured on-site. The material contains a lot of air, making it lighter than traditional concrete while also providing insulation. In theory, foam concrete can combine a floor, insulation, and filler in a single application.
In practice, however, a foam concrete floor requires extensive preparation and cannot simply be used in every home.
Foam concrete is not always possible
Before foam concrete can even be considered, the suitability of the house must first be determined. Consider the load-bearing capacity of the subsoil, the foundation, the groundwater level, and the available construction height. Without these checks, foam concrete poses risks.
Preliminary insulation calculations are essential because the insulation value depends heavily on the thickness of the layer. A very thick layer is often required for effective insulation.
Layer thickness, phasing and renovation time
With foam concrete, the thicker the layer, the more complex the construction. Thicknesses of 40 to 50 cm or more must be poured in multiple phases. This significantly extends the renovation process and increases the costs.
This often occurs in advance:
This makes foam concrete less suitable for quick or occupied renovations.
Weight and load on the foundation
Although foam concrete is lighter than traditional concrete, the total weight of the floor remains considerable. This weight can be transferred to the foundation walls if the subsoil settles or subsides. This is especially important for older foundations.
Compofloor has been specifically developed as a lightweight renovation floor, where loads are dissipated in a controlled manner and point loads are prevented.
Moisture, water and indoor climate
When pouring foam concrete, approximately 20% of water is introduced into the home. This easily amounts to thousands of liters. This moisture must be completely ventilated out of the house in the weeks following pouring, which impacts the indoor climate and the schedule.
Furthermore, attention must be paid to moisture load on interior walls. Water pressure from the ground can cause suction towards the plinth area. This requires prior investigation of the groundwater level and proper detailing.
Installation work and regulations
A foam concrete floor requires additional installation work. Consider:
Errors are difficult to correct after pouring, which increases the risk of failure costs.
Foam concrete vs. Compofloor – the differences at a glance
Floor type
Foam concrete: Cast-in-place concrete floor
Compofloor:Prefabricated renovation floor
Applicability
Foam concrete: Not possible in every home
Compofloor: Specially developed for renovation
Floor weight
Foam concrete: High
Compofloor: Lightweight
Tax foundation
Foam concrete: Risk of settlement
Compofloor: Foundation-friendly
Insulation value
Foam concrete: Depending on large layer thickness
Compofloor: High, integrated
Required layer thickness
Foam concrete: Often 40–50 cm or more
Compofloor: Limited installation height
Renovation speed
Foam concrete: Long, multi-phase
Compofloor: Fast and controlled
Water in the house
Foam concrete: Thousands of liters
Compofloor: No wet construction
Nuisance & waste
Foam concrete: High
Compofloor: Minimum
Suitable for residential renovation
Foam concrete: Limited
Compofloor: Yes
Why Compofloor is often the better renovation choice
Foam concrete can be a solution in specific situations, but it requires extensive preparation, long drying times, and poses additional risks to the foundation and indoor climate. This is not always desirable, especially in older homes.
Compofloor is designed as a complete renovation solution: lightweight, prefabricated, quickly installed, and without wet construction processes. This makes Compofloor better suited to existing homes where comfort, speed, and reliability are paramount.
How does Compofloor work in practice?
You can compare floor systems on paper, but it helps to see how they're constructed in broad terms. What does a renovation floor actually look like? And what happens during installation? This animation gives you a clear overview of Compofloor's construction. You'll see how the floor cassettes are installed, how the system connects to the existing foundation, and how the new ground floor is constructed step by step. Seeing how the system is constructed makes it clear why this solution is often a logical and foundation-friendly alternative to heavier or wet construction methods in renovations.
Which floor suits your home?
The right choice always starts with understanding the existing foundation, soil, and floor structure. For renovation projects where minimal disruption, a short turnaround time, and foundation compatibility are important, Compofloor often proves to be the most logical choice.
Want to know what's best for your situation, both technically and practically? An assessment of the existing ground floor is the first step.
Request a free assessment or contact us for personal advice.
Frequently asked questions about foam concrete floors
Why is ventilation so important after pouring foam concrete?
Pouring foam concrete releases a lot of construction moisture; insufficient ventilation can lead to mold growth and a long-term damp indoor climate.
How long does it take on average for foam concrete to fully harden?
Depending on the layer thickness and ambient temperature, foam concrete can take 4 to 6 weeks to harden before finishing is possible.
What happens if foam concrete does not fit well against existing interior walls?
Poor connections can lead to cold bridges or moisture problems at the skirting boards, especially if the detailing around internal walls has not been carried out correctly.
Why is Compofloor better suited for limited installation height?
Compofloor has a slim floor structure with integrated insulation, making it suitable for use in situations where 40+ cm of space is not available.
Can foam concrete crack due to settlement or subsidence of the substrate?
Yes, if there is insufficient sub-surface compaction, stress cracks can develop in the concrete mass, with the risk of instability or heat loss.
What are the disadvantages of installing foam concrete floors?
Errors in piping are difficult to correct after pouring and can lead to breakage or loss of function of pipes and connections.
How quickly can a Compofloor be walked on again after installation?
A Compofloor is walkable immediately after installation and ready for further finishing, without waiting time or construction moisture.
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