Anyone who has renovated an apartment in Berlin knows: at first glance, many things look simpler than they later turn out to be. Especially in Altbau apartments, unexpected issues appear during the work: uneven walls, old installations, cracks in the plaster or poor sound insulation.
That is why renovation in Berlin is rarely just a bit of painting. In many cases it is about making old rooms functional, quiet and comfortable again, without losing the character of the apartment.
At a Glance
- ✓Altbau has charm, but also uneven walls, old pipes and noise.
- ✓Drywall creates new layouts, hides services and insulates.
- ✓Good sound insulation often makes the biggest everyday difference.
Altbau in Berlin: Beautiful, but Often Full of Surprises
Many Berlin Altbau apartments have an incredible amount of charm. High ceilings, large windows and original details make them special. At the same time they come with typical challenges. Clients often only notice during the renovation that walls carry several old layers of paint, that ceilings are uneven or that noise from neighbours is more present than expected.
Why Drywall Is Now Part of Many Renovations
Drywall used to be associated mainly with offices. Today, many owners use drywall in modern interior renovation to make apartments more practical and quieter.
Typical uses:
- ✓new room layouts
- ✓hidden services
- ✓suspended ceilings
- ✓extra sound insulation
Especially in Altbau apartments, drywall helps adapt old layouts to modern living without a complete rebuild.

Sound Insulation Concerns Almost Every Altbau Client
One topic comes up almost every time: noise. Street noise, footsteps from above or thin walls are part of daily life in Berlin. In Altbau buildings especially, many clients want more peace and quiet.
Typical sound-insulation solutions:
- ✓specialised drywall partitions
- ✓insulation materials
- ✓acoustic decoupling
- ✓modern ceiling constructions
Pro Tip
Plan sound insulation together with the drywall. Adding it afterwards is significantly more involved and expensive.
Good Renovation Starts Long Before the First Coat
What many underestimate: the most important part of a renovation is often not what you see, but the preparation. Before painting, filling or building, you first need to understand the condition of the existing structure, which materials suit it and which sequence makes sense. Especially when combining painting, drywall, flooring and bathroom or kitchen renovation, good planning decides the result.
Modernising Without Losing the Character
Many clients want to make their apartment more modern and still keep the typical Berlin Altbau charm. That is often the real challenge: not making everything look brand new, but improving what already exists in a meaningful way.

Conclusion
Renovation in Berlin is rarely standard work, especially in Altbau. Often it is the small details that decide the final result. So in interior renovation, drywall and renovation work in general, it is worth looking not only at the appearance, but at a clean, well-thought-out execution.
Renovating Altbau in Berlin with Alexihome
Want to modernise your Altbau apartment in Berlin, make it quieter and more comfortable, without losing its charm? Alexihome plans and delivers interior renovation, drywall and sound insulation tailored to the particulars of your Altbau. Book a free consultation.
Call 0160 98266358Our Services