An external insulation wall is a form of exterior cladding designed to insulate, protect, and decorate properties with solid walls. It can be finished in various ways including painted or textured render, timber cladding and more.
EWI products differ from cavity wall insulation in that they allow moisture to pass through without damaging walls, helping prevent condensation and mould growth. This will reduce condensation risk.
Cost
Insulation retrofitting may seem costly at first, but your investment will pay back through reduced energy bills and carbon emissions as well as an increase in value and weather protection for your property.
Before any work commences, an experienced installer will conduct an in-depth assessment to identify which insulation solution would be the most beneficial. A survey may not always be necessary as some properties may not be suitable for EWI insulation – particularly if your property falls in a conservation area or is listed. In such instances, planning permission may be needed before any installation takes place.
Your property will be enclosed by scaffolding during the installation process of EWI insulation boarding and render. A qualified installer registered with an insulation association should provide insulation boarding with guarantee. Furthermore, inquire into grants that might help cover some or all of its cost.
Benefits
Insulating external walls makes homes more energy efficient and cost effective while increasing comfort levels. Furthermore, EWI systems come equipped with protective and decorative finishes that add an aesthetic element that adds beauty and value to their property.
EWI provides one of the primary advantages of energy efficiency insulation – thermal efficiency. By insulate solid walls, homeowners can drastically lower energy bills; using 90mm EPS insulation on solid brick walls of a four bed detached house could save as much as PS455 annually in heating costs!
EWI systems utilize an assortment of insulation materials ranging from traditional EPS foam insulation, incombustible mineral wool and bio-sourced options for biofuel production. All products come complete with weather-proof cladding or finishing to complement any home or building design.
Prior to installing EWI in conservation areas or listed buildings, it is advisable to obtain permission from your local council. Failing to adhere to regulations could force you to remove the insulation and return it back to its original state – potentially costing thousands.
Installation
As opposed to cavity wall insulation, external solid wall insulation (ESWI) requires the installation of an entire wall cladding system, typically including an insulated render or exterior cladding and brick slips to retain the traditional look of your property. Your installer will discuss which system would best fit your property while typically it takes three to six weeks. While you must remain in your home during installation work there should only be minimal disruption caused by scaffolding being put up as well as potentially replacing some pipes or cables on the exterior side of your house – make sure to discuss these details beforehand!
Installation requires prepping the walls, attaching insulation boards to them, installing reinforcement mesh, and applying a base coat before adding a top coat which protects it from weathering and movement over time. Furthermore, regular inspection and maintenance is also important to ensuring its performance.
Maintenance
Installing external insulation can be a complex task that is best performed by professionals. Installation may alter the aesthetics of a property and planning permission may be needed before commencing, while in certain instances EWI installations cannot take place on listed or conservation properties.
Once installed, cladding should be periodically re-coated either to refresh its color or completely replace it. Soft washing the surface is strongly advised before applying re-coat so as to kill off any colonies of algae and prevent their reappearance.
Experienced installers use breathable render and leave gaps around air vents to allow a house to breathe properly and avoid condensation and mould, which can have detrimental health impacts. It is also essential that fittings such as water outlets, light fixtures and shutters are sealed securely against water entering through their outlets or the wall cavity – silicone sealants would provide optimal seals in this instance.