External Wall Insulation: How it Works?

Have you tried everything to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, but find yourself burning money on heating appliances or high energy bills? You are not alone.

Many homeowners are constantly looking for a cost-effective, long-term solution to maintain indoor temperatures without relying on electronic sources.

Fortunately, your search ends here. What if? I told you there’s a way to reduce energy consumption, improve indoor temperature, and save money as well. The answer lies in External Wall Insulation (EWI). It’s an external insulation that naturally keeps your indoor temperature warm in winter and cool in summer.

However, many homeowners don’t know the actual use of external wall insulation and its benefits. No worries!

This blog will explore everything you need about external wall insulation, its benefits, costs, materials, and installation process.

By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly how to use external wall insulation to keep your indoor temperature natural and save money on electric bills.

What is External Wall Insulation?

External wall insulation is a method. It works by installing a layer of insulation on the exterior of the building, which insulates the exterior walls of your home and makes it more energy-efficient. It retains the heat inside in winter and cooler in summer.

It consists usually of mineral wool or polystyrene and is then fixed to walls with mechanical fixings and adhesive. Having installed the insulation, a surface coating is also applied, covering it up and protecting it against the weather while giving your home a clean look.

This is especially useful in older buildings with solid or uninsulated walls that lose considerable heat.

In simple terms, EWI is putting a warm blanket around your home, warming it up, and saving you money on your heating bill.

What are the Benefits of External Wall Insulation?

Here are some significant benefits of external wall insulation:

1. Reduces Energy Bills

External wall insulation insulates your home. It keeps it warm by retaining heat inside. If your home is insulated, you will not need as much electricity or gas to heat it during winter. This saves energy because you use less electricity or gas to heat your home. This can mean high savings in the long term.

2. Reduced Carbon Footprint

By using less energy, you are spending less money and lowering your carbon footprint. Lower energy consumption results in less emissions of toxic gases. It safeguards the environment. External wall insulation decreases the energy your house consumes, resulting in less pollution and a cleaner, greener planet.

3. Improve External Aesthetics

EWI can give your home a new, improved look after installation. It is covered with a decorative finish in various colors and textures. So you can give your property a new look and make it more energy efficient, too, if you prefer a new, clean look or a more traditional look. EWI lets you decide what style you’d like for your home.

4. Improve Thermal Comfort

One of the most significant benefits of EWI is enhanced thermal comfort. Insulating the outside of your house keeps the inside temperature unchanging. It makes winter warmer in your home and summer cooler.

5. Reduce Damp and Condensation

One of the common issues in the home is dampness and condensation, especially on cold walls. EWI deals with this by keeping your walls warm, preventing water collection. This enhances air quality and protects your home from water damage and mold.

6. Minimises Thermal Bridging

Thermal bridging is where the insulation has gaps or cracks, and heat escapes through portions of the building. These are generally where the insulation does not go to the walls, leaving drafts and cold spots. With EWI, the insulation comes as one piece of insulation around the exterior of your building with no gaps. This eliminates thermal bridges, keeping the heat in your building and making your home more energy efficient.

7. Enhanced Soundproofing

EWI also minimizes outside noise. Materials applied to the insulation. Such as mineral wool, can absorb sound by stopping unwanted sounds from entering your building. This means that your environment is quieter in areas that are more prone to disturbances or are closest to a busy street, adding to the extra comfort.

What Is External Wall Insulation Cost?

External wall insulation costs can range around INR 480 per square foot. However, the actual price can vary based on several factors. It may include chosen material, finishing, installation complexity, and labor costs.

Let’s understand the cost affecting factors to help you find the right cost of your EWI. Here are some cost-affecting factors:

• Insulation Material: Different materials come with different price tags.
• Area to be Insulated: Larger areas will naturally cost more because they require more material and labor.
• Installation Type: The method of installation you choose (ETICS, cavity wall, or cladding) will affect the cost. Each method has its pricing structure.
• Cladding Type: The cladding finish you choose (wood or cement render) can also impact the price.
• Labor Costs: Professional installation will add to the overall cost. Prices can vary based on the project’s complexity.
• Building Type: The type of building (detached, semi-detached, etc.) will influence the cost range.

Installation Process of External Wall Insulation

Here’s the step-by-step process of external wall insulation:

Step 1. Assessment and Preparation

Step one involves checking the outside walls of your home to see if they are sufficient to be insulated. Any interruptions like pipes, downspouts, or satellite dishes must be moved. Cracks and damage will be filled, if any, to ensure the wall is pristine. A primer will help the insulation stick better, and the material adheres well if the walls are concrete. This preparation ensures the insulation will function correctly and for a long time.

Step 2. Attaching Heat Insulation Sheets

A starter track is fitted at the bottom of the wall to support the insulation boards. The sheet are fixed to the wall using a powerful adhesive. They’re fitted in a brick joint to avoid gaps between boards. Sometimes screws or other fixings are used in addition to the glue to fix the boards. A level ensures the boards are straight and in the correct position.

Step 3. Applying the Base Coat

After the boards are secured, a base coat (a layer of mortar) is applied over the insulation to keep everything stable. A complex mesh is pressed into the base coat to add strength and prevent cracks from forming. Special care is taken near windows and doors, where special beads avoid cracks.

Step 4. Adding the Finishing Layer

When the base coat dries, a second layer of the base coat is applied. Next, a finish coat is applied. This could be a smooth finish paint or a textured coat like stucco. It adds a sheen to your home and protects the insulation from the environment.

Step 5. Final Inspection

Once everything is done, a final inspection is done to check whether the installation is error-free. Whatever needs to be repaired will be repaired in this phase. Then, the region is cleaned, and scaffolding or temporary structures used during installation are removed.

How Does External Wall Insulation Work?

The wall insulation material is used to stop the heat loss in the buildings and walls. So, before jumping directly to the working mechanism of the insulation, it is a better idea to understand how the heat is lost in a building. There are basically three ways of heat loss in a building which are conduction, convection, and radiation. The heat travels through the walls, windows, doors, roofs, and floor. So, external wall insulation reduces the heat loss through the walls.

Here’s How EWI Insulation Works-

Conduction

Conduction is the foremost reason why heat is lost inside the wall and transferred to interior space. So, thermal insulation uses materials that are bad conductors of heat. Thus, choosing the right thickness of wall insulation material helps lock the heat inside the walls only, preventing the increased temperature inside the space.

Convection

Convection is the process where the heat moves in the gaseous form and is transferred into the house. The lack of holes or free space makes the temperature higher inside the wall and then the heat is transferred to the building. So, insulating material carries the small voids and air pockets to ensure air movement. The external wall insulation uses the expanding polystyrene slab containing thousands of trapped air pockets and small voids.

Radiation

Further, external insulation for solid walls uses surfaces that emit little radiant energy and absorb a very small amount of radiant energy falling into it.

Conclusion

External Wall Insulation is a cost-effective method of insulating your home and improving its energy efficiency without relying on electronic devices. Insulating your outside walls naturally keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer. And it enhances the appearance and weather-tightness of your home as well. But only if you use the right material and have it installed properly. We hope the above guide has made you realize the benefits of External Wall Insulation (EWI).

So, if you’re looking for External Wall Insulation (EWI), consider buying from a trusted insulation manufacturer like Neo Thermal Insulation, where you can find high-quality insulation material at the most affordable rates. Contact Us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is external insulation worth the cost?

Yes, external wall insulation is worth the cost for most homeowners. While the initial cost can be costly, it can lower annual heating costs by up to 30%. It also increases the comfort and worth of your house. It’s a good financial investment considering the long-term energy efficiency and lifespan.

2. How long does external appropriately installed and maintained extermination work?

External wall insulation can be installed and serviced. The insulation does not deteriorate, and the weatherproofing finish coat maintains its weathering resistance. With regular inspections and periodic repairs, EWI is a permanent installation.

How long does external wall insulation take to install?

An average semi-detached property takes typically 7 to 10 working days. The duration might differ depending on the property’s size, the installation’s complexity, and the weather. More complex or more extensive projects would take longer, but professionals can provide the correct time frame.

4. Can I install External Wall Insulation myself?

Though it’s possible to do it yourself, it’s not advisable. It’s a tricky process requiring the right equipment and technical skills to install it properly. It may cause gaps, insufficient adhesion, or water damage without the proper installation. You’re better off allowing a professional to do it correctly and get the long term.

5. What are the long-term benefits of External Wall Insulation?

The long-term benefits of EWI include:

• Lower energy bills from less heat loss.
• More comfort with a steady temperature all year round.
• Increased property value because it boosts energy efficiency.
• Better protection for your home from weather damage.
• Less dampness and condensation, keeping your home healthier.
• A reduced carbon footprint, helping the environment.