Homeowners who are not familiar with external wall insulation are missing out on the benefits it can give in terms of energy savings. It is very different from the insulation used in wall interiors but the two work hand in hand in making homes or buildings more energy efficient and lowering the cost of energy consumed.
Aside from improving energy efficiency, external wall insulation also helps in increasing the value and life of a property. It protects a structure from the elements through its weatherproofing capabilities, as well.
Here are some more pieces of information you need to know before you hire external wall insulation services.
The Materials Used
Before starting the insulation work, the service provider will ask the homeowner’s decision on the materials that will form the actual insulation. The materials can include expanded polystyrene, phenolic foam and mineral wool. Any of these materials will be mixed with a reinforced ‘finish,’ which is a cement-based solution. It is important to note that the thickness of the insulation may vary depending on the structure.
In addition, external wall insulation does not have an aesthetically pleasing finish per se, but you can adjust its appearance to match your home’s overall look. For example, you can have pebbledash, textured, brick slip or even a brick effect finish. You can also have it painted white or any other colour since these are, after all, external walls.
How to Install
Most properties or homes have an existing render, and this must be tested to see if it is strong enough to carry the insulation. If it is not, the render is first removed before the insulation is attached to the brickwork. However, if the render passes the test, it is simply smoothened out, and then the additional layers of insulation are applied directly on top of it.
Additionally, it is essential to remove pipe work that may be outside the house. It will be re-installed later after the external insulation has been set up.
The installation process begins by adding the insulating panels onto the wall or rendering with adhesive mortar. The panels are tied securely to the wall with plastic capped fixings. These are driven through the insulating panels and the perimeter as well.
The third step is applying mortar over the panels and fixings. This is followed by an insulating mesh to lock the panels in place. The mortar is then sanded and coated with primer. The last step is applying render finish, which can be of any colour or texture, depending on the homeowner’s preference.
Why Have External Wall Insulation
Installing external wall insulation can be an expensive home improvement project. Most homeowners are hesitant to pursue this project because of the time and amount of labour involved. However, you should have external insulation installed when you have solid walls. Since solid walls have no cavity, you cannot have internal insulation.
Leaving walls uninsulated will cause you to lose lots of heat and energy. So whether you apply internal or external wall insulation, you will be able to enjoy lower expenses on heating and cooling in the long run.