External Wall Insulation

External wall insulation is a particularly useful insulating method developed for exterior masonry walls over the last 30 years. First used in Europe for building refurbishment, recent innovations are now making the systems useful in new-build constructions providing all of the latest thermal requirements and still providing the traditional finishes that Architects and Designers require.

Traditional housing over the past 100 years usually comprised of solid walls of masonry, either brick, blocks, concrete or stone. The method of heating provided was the provision of open fires resulting in plentiful ventilation and good comfort levels to habitable rooms. With the introduction of double glazing, sealed windows and the elimination of open fireplaces, internal wall condensation became a nightmare problem, particularly for public sector social housing.

The introduction of central heating systems substantially increased the total energy requirement, thus increasing the CO² emissions to unacceptable levels. It has become a requirement, therefore, to try to reduce or curtail these emissions at the same time control the consequential problems such as internal wall condensation.

Insulation in general and external wall insulation in particular can play a major role in energy saving strategy and specifiers also now accept that they have to be more environmentally aware. The increased available technology on the subject has led to the insulation industry experiencing a marked expansion in activity, particularly external wall insulation, both in private and public sectors.