External Wall Insulation (EWI) is an excellent way to insulate solid-wall properties. One of three methods available, EWI allows professional installers to survey your home and recommend the most cost-effective approach.
EWI systems consist of insulating panels attached to the walls of your building and covered with cladding in various finishes such as rendered, textured or pebble-dashed finishes – or even finished off with brick slips for an aesthetically pleasing aesthetic.
Efficient Insulation
Insulation options for solid walls vary considerably, with homeowners commonly selecting blanket batts (fibreglass or cellulose). These synthetic materials, manufactured using cotton, mineral wool, sheep’s wool or plastic fibres derived from extruded lava rock provide effective heat transfer and soundproofing at a relatively inexpensive cost and installation effort.
Other alternatives to consider for soundproofing walls include phenolic resin and woodfibre boards. While more costly, these boards offer excellent acoustic, thermal, and breathability properties. These materials may even be rendered over using vapour open render for optimal results.
By installing an external wall insulation system in your home, airtightness will increase, eliminating drafts and helping reduce damp and condensation issues while simultaneously cutting heating and cooling demands and energy bills. Cladding systems should also be soft washed regularly with quality biocides to protect them against colonisation of moss or algae growth.
Decorative Finishes
EWI systems now feature decorative finishes to give buildings both a modern and traditional aesthetic, such as natural aggregates, colored renders and even real brick slips.
Webertherm XP’s cladding system comes in 23 distinct hues, from natural lime render and silicone-based finishes that are breathable to realistic brick-effect finishes called Weberwall that come in 12 hues and can even be enhanced with special grey brick pointing mortar for the final touch.
Cladding systems that utilize synthetic EIFS or wood fibre are generally installed using an adhesive or resin applied directly to an exterior wall surface, mechanical fixings and base coat. Once this step has been completed, decorative finishes such as white patent acrylic reveals are placed over light grey acrylic walls featuring brown plinths – as seen below for our completed house in Kinsealy Dublin 14
Reduced Energy Bills
EWI prevents heat from escaping a property, helping keep it warm in winter and cool in summer, thus helping reduce heating energy demand and carbon emissions, saving both money and protecting the environment.
EWI installation involves applying insulation to solid walls and covering them with decorative protective finishes, such as faux brick slip textures or faux bois finishes, which add visual interest while helping the insulation breathe properly.
EWI provides an array of finishes to complement any architectural style and budget, while installation can be completed quickly with minimal disruption for property occupants and can last decades without needing redecoration – unlike traditional stucco which may need regular maintenance.
Green Homes Grant
Although many understand that insulation will help lower their energy bills, many homeowners don’t take this step due to cost or fear of higher heating bills.
As part of its initiative to combat climate change, Green Homes Grant offers householders vouchers to cover insulation costs associated with loft and pitched roof insulation as well as external solid wall insulation and heat pumps.
When searching for an insulation installer, it is essential to get competitive quotes and select a qualified specialist who can conduct a pre-assessment of the property and advise any necessary structural work required prior to installing insulation. An ideal specialist would be registered with either Insulation Assurance Authority or Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency websites and offer 25 year guarantees on installation work completed by them.