External Wall Insulation: Pros, Cons, Costs, Plus How it Works

When it comes to improving the energy efficiency and aesthetics of your home, office or workspace, external wall insulation (EWI) can be an excellent solution. By insulating the external walls of a building, EWI helps to reduce heat loss, increase thermal performance, and enhance the overall appearance. In this blog, we will explore the pros and cons of external wall insulation, discuss the associated costs, explain how it works, answer some common questions regarding different aspects of EWI and discuss SIG&#;s recent EWI installation on their new Limerick Trade Counter.

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Why SIG chose Alsecco Basic 1 for its New Limerick Branch Trade Counter Extension

SIG is excited to host the official opening of its new Limerick branch next week. Our new branch is conveniently located in the Eastway Business Park, is approximately 20,000 square feet, providing ample space to accommodate our extensive product range and has a new Trade Counter extension to serve the needs of our customers efficiently. In finishing the extension, SIG chose Alsecco Basic 1 system.

SIG chose Alsecco Basic 1 as the External Wall Insulation (EWI) for its New Limerick Branch Trade Counter Extension for five reasons:

1. Thermal Performance:

   Alsecco Basic 1 is known for its excellent thermal performance, providing effective insulation to the building envelope. By choosing this EWI system, SIG can enhance the energy efficiency of the trade counter extension, reducing heat loss and potentially lowering heating and cooling costs.

2. Durability and Weather Resistance:

   Alsecco Basic 1 is designed to withstand various weather conditions, including rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. This durability ensures long-term protection for the building, maintaining its appearance and performance over time.

3. Aesthetics:

   The Alsecco Basic 1 EWI system offers a range of finishes and textures, allowing SIG to achieve the desired visual appeal for the trade counter extension. Whether you prefer a smooth or textured finish, the versatility of Alsecco Basic 1 can cater to different architectural styles and design preferences.

4. Expertise and Support:

   SIG chose Alsecco Basic 1 due to the availability of technical support and expertise provided by Alsecco. With their assistance, Spreadwell Plastering installers could ensure proper installation and receive guidance on any specific requirements or challenges relating to the project. Full technical support is provided by Alsecco before, during and after the installation.

5. Compliance and Certification:

   Alsecco Basic 1 is NSAI certified and can be used through SEAI grants. This compliance provides assurance to SIG that they are using a reliable and certified system for the Limerick Branch Trade Counter Extension.

Pros of External Wall Insulation:

1. Improved Energy Efficiency:

   EWI significantly enhances the thermal performance of a building, reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency. This can lead to lower heating and cooling costs, ultimately saving you money on energy bills.

2. Enhanced Comfort:

   By preventing heat loss, EWI helps to create a more comfortable living environment by reducing cold spots and drafts within your home.

3. Reduced Carbon Footprint:

   Insulating your external walls not only benefits your wallet but also the environment. By improving energy efficiency, you can lower your carbon emissions and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

4. Aesthetic Enhancement:

   EWI allows you to transform the appearance of your home. With a wide range of finishes and textures available, you can choose a look that suits your style preferences and potentially increase the value of your property.

Cons of External Wall Insulation:

1. Initial Investment:

   While external wall insulation provides long-term savings on energy bills, the upfront cost can be significant. However, it&#;s essential to know that you may be entitled to an SEAI grant towards the cost of the installed system and to consider the long-term benefits and potential increase in property value when assessing the overall value of EWI.

2. Disruption during Installation:

   The installation of EWI involves some disruption to the property, including scaffolding, drilling, and temporarily removing fixtures. However, the inconvenience can be minimised with proper planning and professional installation.

How Much Does External Wall Insulation Cost?

The cost of external wall insulation varies depending on several factors, such as the size of the property, the type of insulation system chosen, the finishes selected, and any additional requirements or complexities. Obtain a quote from reputable installers who can provide an accurate cost assessment tailored to your specific project or SIG&#;s team of technical experts who can advise you on cost and provide technical advice for your project.

What&#;s the best insulation for external walls?

The best insulation for external walls depends on various factors, including the type of property, budget, and specific insulation requirements. Some commonly used materials for EWI include expanded polystyrene (EPS), mineral wool, and phenolic foam. It is recommended to consult with professionals who can assess your needs and recommend the most suitable insulation solution for your external walls.

How Do I Know If My House Requires External Insulation?

If you experience high energy bills, cold spots, or drafts in your home, it may indicate that your house could benefit from external wall insulation. Consulting with an energy efficiency expert or a professional insulation installer can help determine if your property requires EWI and provide tailored recommendations based on your specific circumstances.

How Does External Wall Insulation Affect U-Values?

U-values measure the rate of heat transfer through a building component. External wall insulation significantly improves the U-values of walls, reducing heat loss and improving thermal performance. The exact impact on U-values depends on the type and thickness of the cavity wall insulation system used and the existing construction of the walls.

Can I use External Wall Insulation With Solid Stone Walls?

Yes, external wall insulation products can be used with solid stone walls. However, careful consideration and expertise are required to ensure compatibility and proper installation. An experienced installer can assess the condition of the walls and recommend suitable solutions, such as special fixings or insulation systems specifically designed for solid stone walls.

Is it Worth Using External Wall Insulation on a House With Cavity Walls?

While cavity walls already provide some level of insulation, external wall insulation can still be beneficial. It enhances the thermal performance of the walls further, reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency. External wall insulation can also enhance the appearance of the façade of the house, providing an opportunity for aesthetic improvement.

External Wall Insulation Solutions for Reveals, Sills and Eaves

When installing external wall insulation, specific attention should be given to areas such as reveals, sills, and eaves. These areas require careful detailing and insulation to ensure a seamless and effective system. Specialised profiles, sealants, and techniques are used to address these components and maintain a consistent exterior insulation envelope.

Conclusion

External wall insulation offers numerous benefits, making it a worthwhile investment for homeowners, businesses, and other property owners. It provides improved energy efficiency, enhanced comfort, reduced carbon footprint, and aesthetic transformation. While costs and considerations are involved, the long-term savings on energy bills and a potential increase in property value make it an attractive option.

When choosing external wall insulation, it is essential to consider factors such as the cost, the best insulation material for your specific needs, and whether your house requires external insulation. The impact on U-values and the compatibility with different types of walls, such as with solid walls and stone or cavity walls, should also be considered.

Additionally, paying attention to areas like reveals, sills, and eaves during the installation process ensures a well-insulated structure and visually appealing result.

If you&#;re considering external wall insulation, consult with professionals who can provide expert advice, assess your specific requirements, and guide you through the process. With the right insulation system and professional installation, you can enjoy the benefits of improved energy efficiency, enhanced comfort, and a more sustainable living or working space. To find out more contact SIG Facades today.

&#; External wall insulation is a good option for homes with solid walls

&#; Insulation for walls can reduce your energy bills by up to £410

&#; External wall insulation costs around £11,000 on average

External wall insulation costs can be substantial compared to other types of insulation. However, it offers unique benefits, especially for properties with solid walls where internal solutions may not be suitable.

External wall insulation is a popular choice for many homeowners, but like all forms of insulation, it comes with advantages and disadvantages. We&#;ll go over what these are in this article, so you can make an informed decision.

What is external wall insulation?

External wall insulation is a type of solid wall insulation, where a layer of insulating material is added to the outside walls of a house.

The insulating material is then covered with render or cladding, and then a finish &#; these include smooth painted finishes, tiles, pebble-dashes, and brick slips.

External insulation is an alternative to internal insulation, where the insulating material is added to the inside walls &#; which slightly reduces the surface area inside the rooms.

The pros and cons of external wall insulation

Pros

• Does not reduce internal floor surface
• Improves home&#;s heat retention
• Reduces energy bills
• Installation doesn&#;t cause disruption
• Reduces risk of condensation on inner walls

Cons

• Expensive to install
• Changes the house&#;s external appearance
• Not suitable for listed buildings or those in conservation areas
• Can cause issues with damp

The advantages of external wall insulation

External wall insulation has many advantages, including improving your home&#;s heat retention and reducing your energy bills.

We&#;ll go over them in more detail in the following sections.

Internal floor surface isn&#;t reduced

One advantage of external wall insulation is that it doesn&#;t reduce the floor space inside your home.

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External wall insulation is one of two insulation options for homes with solid walls. The other is internal wall insulation.

The issue with internal wall insulation is that it reduces the floor space in rooms by around 10 cm per wall. This isn&#;t the case with external wall insulation, since the insulating material is applied to the outside of the home.

Improved heat retention

External wall insulation, like all insulation, will improve heat retention in your home.

Around 25% to 45% of household heat is typically lost through poorly insulated walls.

Insulating measures such as external wall insulation will reduce heat loss, and make your home feel warmer.

Reduced energy bills

External wall insulation will improve heat retention in your home, which in turn reduces your energy bills.

This is because when less heat escapes from your home, your heating system doesn&#;t have to work as hard to get to the right temperature.

External wall insulation can save households up to £410 per year on energy bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

Minimal disruption during installation

External wall insulation, unlike other forms of insulation such as spray foam insulation or floor insulation, causes minimal disruption when being installed.

Because external wall insulation is installed on the outside of a house, and not the inside, it doesn&#;t require you to remove all the furniture from any rooms, or have contractors take over a space in your house.

This means you can still use all the rooms in the house as normal during the installation process.

Less risk of condensation forming on internal walls

Condensation on internal walls is caused by the difference in temperature between the cold external air and the warmer internal air. This same principle applies to condensation on windows.

External wall insulation will act as an extra barrier between the inner wall and the external wall that&#;s exposed to cold air. This reduces the likelihood of condensation forming on the internal wall.

The disadvantages of external wall insulation

External wall insulation has some disadvantages, including cost &#; it&#;s expensive &#; and the fact that it changes the outside appearance of your home.

We&#;ll go over the disadvantages in detail in the following sections.

It&#;s expensive to install

The main drawback of external wall insulation is that it&#;s expensive.

External wall insulation typically costs £11,000 for the average home, according to the EST. This makes it one of the most expensive insulation options. By contrast, internal solid wall insulation costs £7,500, on average.

Outer appearance of the house is altered

Another disadvantage of external wall insulation is that it alters the outside appearance of your home.

It&#;s possible to choose finishes that mimic the original appearance of your home, such as painted plasterwork or cladding with brick slips. But these won&#;t necessarily form a perfect replica of the original external walls.

Not suitable for listed buildings or conservation areas

Because external wall insulation changes the outside appearance of your home, it&#;s not a viable option for most people who own listed buildings, or have homes in conservation areas.

Buildings that fall into either of these categories have regulations imposed on them that prevent owners from making changes to their external appearance.

If you live in one of these houses, you&#;ll have to apply for planning permission before making any changes to its appearance.

Since external wall insulation often leads to a quite drastic change in the appearance of a house, it&#;s unlikely you&#;ll be granted permission to install it.

Potential issues with damp

External wall insulation can usually help avoid condensation on a house&#;s internal walls. However, there are some cases where it can create a dampness problem.

One such case is when stone walls, which are relatively permeable &#; they allow air and moisture to pass through &#; are insulated with an impermeable material such as certain plastics.

Opting for natural materials such as wool and wood fibre, which are quite breathable, can reduce the likelihood of damp becoming a problem. These materials also tend to be cheaper than their synthetic counterparts, and are more eco-friendly.

Find out more about eco-friendly property features in our guided list.

Next steps

Properly insulating your home with measures such as external wall insulation will help you stay warm in the colder months, and can save you money on your energy bills.

Plus, since you&#;ll be using less energy on heating, your carbon footprint will also go down. In fact, insulation can save your household as much as 0.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, according to the EST.

That&#;s a win for your wallet, and a win for the planet.

FAQs

External wall insulation, like all types of insulation, can help keep the heat out in the warmer months.

Good insulation limits the transfer of air from the outside to the inside, and vice versa. This means it can also stop warm air from entering your house in summer, and keep cool air in.

Whether it&#;s better to insulate walls internally or externally really is a matter of priorities.

Internal wall insulation will slightly reduce the surface area of your rooms, but it won&#;t change the external appearance of your home, making it a good option for listed buildings.

External wall insulation won&#;t affect the floor space inside your home, but it will change its outward appearance. This can be a positive side-effect if you want to change the look of your house, but if you&#;re very attached to your brick or stone front, it&#;s not a good choice.

External wall insulation usually lasts 25 years or more. In general, it&#;s designed to last as long as your house.

Over time, it&#;s normal for insulating material to experience some wear, so it&#;s a good idea to get any cracks repaired as soon as they appear.

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