"A plinth is the reinforced foot or external projection on the lower part of walls, pillars, columns (base) and other objects, which serves both for architectural beauty and for stability and protection. [...]"
Brockhaus 1886
Even though the term "plinth" is not precisely defined in DIN and regulations, in terms of construction and technology, a plinth today is commonly used to describe the area from the top of the ground to at least 30 cm above. The area below the top of the ground, on the other hand, is referred to as the "area in contact with the ground", and the transition area as the "perimeter area".
The transition between earth and air takes place at the base and is stressed by both elements with different intensity.
Moisture exposure from rain and snow can increase or decrease depending on geographical location, weather exposure, building height and the formation of the roof edge.
Snowdrifts are additional stresses for a plinth. After an alternating wet transition zone, a permanently moist area begins in the soil.
The moisture exposure in this zone depends on the type of soil and the structural protective measures.
In order to ensure continuous thermal insulation, moisture-insensitive perimeter insulation is also applied in the unheated "cold" basement, which covers the waterproofing underneath. At the upper edge of the base, the transition between perimeter insulation and thermal insulation of the rear-ventilated façade takes place.
Plinth detail (natural stone)
For façade cladding made of natural stone, the German Natural Stone Association "DNV" recommends that plinth panels should start approx. 20mm above the covering in order to avoid waterlogging in the floor area and damage to the plinth plates. However, these "standard" details result in a "floating" curtain wall in practice.
The following example shows how a plinth recess in the floor can nevertheless be easily detached:
Image: Natural stone plinth detail, HOFMANN natural stone
