Long live loam!
Sustainable and environmentally friendly construction
Karl Preiser
Trained carpenter and owner of the Bauprofi-Preiser company
Karl Preiser, 36, is a trained carpenter and owner of the Bauprofi-Preiser company in Augsburg. Karl and his team are dedicated to creating sustainable interior finishing for houses. Their projects focus on health in the home, individual design and the added value of environmentally friendly, natural building materials. The main ingredients for this sustainable concept of house construction are loam and wood. Karl's favourite tools are the DSC-AG 125 Plus cutting system and the SYSLITE DUO working light in the darker seasons.
How did you come up with the idea of working with loam?
That happened in several stages. We switched from mineral wool to jute and hemp insulation, from classic metal structures to wooden supports, then finally from plasterboard to loam. The more you get to grips with healthy residential construction and sustainability in interior finishing, the more loam shows itself to be an absolutely essential construction material.
How is loam different from conventional construction materials? And what makes loam stand out as a construction material?
Loam creates the perfect living environment due to its water solubility and its resulting high capacity for moisture absorption. This means that the loam used absorbs high levels of humidity, thereby neutralising odours and optimising interior humidity. Additionally, it's attractive for a special interior design – owing to its earthy, entirely natural colours– and therefore matches perfectly with beautiful wood tones. Furthermore, loam is completely environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Loam and wood are construction materials steeped in tradition. How did you hone your knowledge of them both?
As a trained carpenter, I've obviously worked an awful lot with wood for my qualifications, during which I was also professionally trained in how to handle the relevant machines correctly. My training to become a specialist in loam construction then gave me the skills to work with loam as a building material. In addition to this essential basic knowledge, I have attended several seminars and training courses over the years. However, I acquire the greatest amount of knowledge independently through my daily work with loam and wood in various projects.
Do other colleagues who use conventional construction materials sneer at you sometimes?
Other tradespeople are actually more interested than derisive, even if sometimes only tentatively. Of course, if I really get going about my visions for sustainable construction, then people tend to laugh at me dismissively. But loam as a construction material always seems to have a positive influence, even here.
"Loam, like wood, is one of the most ancient construction materials and can also be used again and again. Loam is therefore not only just as durable, but essentially lasts forever – all that without added chemicals."
Karl Preiser – carpenter
Which Festool power tools do you generally use? And why?
My dust extractor, either the CTL Mini I or CTL 36 E AC, and of course my DRC 18/4. Firstly, it's important for me to be tidy on the construction site. Secondly, you can't make progress on a dry mortarless construction using loam without a decent cordless screwdriver. When I think about it, the KS 120 REB compound mitre saw also gets used a lot for sawing our substructures and wooden floors. And the MX 1600/2 E EF stirrer is almost constantly in use for the loam.
What particular challenges are there when working with loam?
Loam is a purely natural product. Fortunately, many prudent pioneers have made the effort to launch great products, which are already excellent to work with. Nonetheless, processing the materials does also require basic understanding and feeling. The real challenge lies in assembling individual components to create an attractive end result where the added value of loam is the focus and the customer is happy.
You're part of the younger generation of tradespeople. What makes you different from the old hands?
I don't really feel young any more, but I try to be close to the younger generation, at least through my content on social media channels. I think that's what differentiates the younger generation from the old hands. The older generation consider it a waste of time, while the younger generation are greatly developing here, in some cases even creating new lines of business.
How important is creativity in your job?
On the one hand, an initial creative approach is often required right from the very first visit to the construction site. On the other hand, sometimes things don't always go to plan, so a certain level of creativity is almost mandatory.
How important is it for you to have direct exchanges with your customers?
I very much enjoy discussions and often explain the details of how I would do or plan this or that. In order to allow our own style to come through in projects, it's definitely important to have very close and intensive contact with the customer.
Which tool can't you do without in your daily work? And why?
As the days are currently getting shorter and shorter, my SYSLITE DUO is absolutely essential. You simply can't work well without a decent light. To return to loam, my favourite subject, my absolute favourite tool is the DSC-AG 125 Plus for cutting loam panels. It's basically a must-buy for anyone working with mineral panels. It's just so easy…
*Editor's note: The term "grey energy" describes the amount of energy required for the manufacture, transport, storage, sale and disposal of a product.
