External wall Insulation in Leicester and Coventry

Completed story of one house. Application of external wall insulation and light grey silicone render.

 

House before external wall insulation

Standard size, solid walls semi-detached house painted white. Cold in the winter time, extremely warm in summer. Problem with condensation and mould from time to time. Sounds familiar? That’s the typical problem of houses with solid walls without external wall insulation in Leicester and Coventry (EWI). You may ask, what EWi is? It is still not popular in the UK. Only around 5 out of 100 houses in the UK are insulated. EWI is an extra layer of polystyrene boards or mineral wool to the walls of your lovely home. Scroll down to see the whole process.

 

Installation of external wall insulation in Leicester and Coventry

Installing external wall insulation (EWI) with a silicone render finish involves multiple steps, beginning with preparation and ending with the final rendering. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Preparation of the Walls

• Survey and Assessment: Start by assessing the walls to ensure they are in good condition. Any cracks, damage, or dampness must be repaired before proceeding.
• Surface Cleaning: Clean the external walls to remove dirt, dust, and any loose material. Power washing is often used to achieve this.
• Fixing of Services: Remove or relocate services such as rainwater downpipes, lights, or satellite dishes that are mounted on the wall.

2. Installation of Base Beading

• Starter Track: A starter track (usually made of aluminium or PVC) is fixed at the bottom of the wall, near the damp-proof course. This acts as a guide and support for the insulation boards, ensuring they are installed level.

3. Applying the Insulation Boards

• Insulation Material: EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), XPS (Extruded Polystyrene)- optional, or mineral wool boards are most commonly used for external insulation.
• Adhesive Application: Apply a high-strength adhesive on the back of the insulation boards.
• Fixing the Boards: Attach the insulation boards to the wall, starting from the base track. Press the boards firmly into place, ensuring they are level. Stagger the joints of the insulation boards to avoid continuous vertical seams.
• Mechanical Fixing: Once the adhesive has cured (typically the next day), use insulation fixings (mechanical anchors) to secure the boards in place. These are typically plastic fixings that are drilled into the wall through the insulation.

4. Base Coat Application

• Mesh Reinforcement: After the insulation boards are securely in place, apply a base coat (often a cementitious adhesive or a polymer-based material) onto the insulation surface. While the base coat is still wet, embed a fibreglass reinforcing mesh into the layer.
• Overlap Mesh: Ensure that the fibreglass mesh overlaps at joints by at least 100mm, and ensure the mesh is fully embedded in the base coat with no bubbles or wrinkles.
• Second Base Coat: Apply a second thin layer of base coat over the mesh to completely cover it, making sure the surface is smooth. This layer will provide reinforcement and prepare the surface for the final render.

5. Silicone Render Application

• Primer: Before applying the silicone render, a primer layer is applied over the base coat. This helps improve adhesion and ensures an even finish. Allow the primer to dry for the recommended time (usually 24 hours).
• Silicone Render: Silicone render is chosen for its flexibility, breathability, and weather-resistant properties. The render is applied in a thin, even coat (typically 1.5mm to 3mm thick). It can be applied with a trowel or spray machine and then textured using a float to achieve the desired finish.
• Finishing the Render: Once the render is applied, it can be textured or left smooth depending on the aesthetic requirements. The render should be applied evenly and finished with care to ensure a uniform appearance.

6. Detailing and Finishing

• Expansion Joints: If required, expansion joints are installed in larger wall sections to prevent cracking due to temperature changes or movement in the building.
• Sealing Around Openings: Use silicone or other weatherproof sealants to fill any gaps around windows, doors, and other penetrations to ensure the system is fully weatherproof.
• Reinstall Fixtures: Reattach any downpipes, lights, or satellite dishes that were removed during the preparation stage. Special brackets may be used to mount these fixtures securely without compromising the insulation.

7. Final Inspection and Maintenance

• Inspection: Once the insulation and render system is fully applied, inspect the installation for any imperfections or issues. Check for uniformity, secure fixing, and correct detailing around openings.
• Maintenance: While silicone render is highly durable, periodic maintenance such as cleaning with water or mild detergent may be required to keep the system looking fresh.

External wall insulation and light grey silicone render completed

 

Immediate thermal improvement after installation of external wall insulation in Leicester and Coventry

The immediate thermal improvements after the installation of external wall insulation (EWI) can be significant, leading to better energy efficiency and enhanced comfort inside the home. Here are some key thermal benefits you can expect right after the installation:

1. Reduction in Heat Loss

• Improved Heat Retention: External wall insulation creates a thermal barrier, reducing the amount of heat that escapes through the walls. This means less heat is lost to the outside environment, keeping the interior warmer, especially during colder months. The investor will test in the next few months when the temperature drop down.
• Energy Savings: With less heat escaping, the need for constant heating is reduced. This can lead to immediate savings on energy bills, as the building retains warmth for longer periods without excessive heating.

2. Increased Internal Wall Temperature

• Warmer Interior Surfaces: EWI raises the temperature of the internal wall surfaces, making rooms feel more comfortable and reducing the “cold wall” effect. Previously cold walls will no longer radiate cold into the room, and they will feel warmer to the touch.
• Improved Thermal Comfort: With less fluctuation in wall temperatures, the overall thermal comfort inside the building improves. This is especially noticeable in older properties with solid walls, which tend to have poor insulation performance.

3. Reduced Thermal Bridging

• Elimination of Cold Spots: EWI helps minimize thermal bridging (where heat escapes at junctions like corners, windows, and doors). This eliminates cold spots, making the entire room evenly heated and comfortable.
• Lower Risk of Condensation: By raising the surface temperature of the walls, condensation is less likely to form on cold walls, reducing the risk of dampness and mold growth inside the home.

4. More Stable Indoor Temperatures

• Thermal Lag: The insulation helps maintain a more stable indoor temperature by slowing down the rate at which the building heats up and cools down. This results in fewer temperature swings, making indoor environments more comfortable. Wall Insulation Team LTD worked in warm weather condition and soon we installed EPS boards, we could feel big difference inside the house.
• Less Need for Heating and Cooling: Because of the insulation’s ability to keep heat inside during the winter and keep excessive heat out during summer, your heating system works less intensively, and your home stays cooler in the summer without over-relying on air conditioning.

5. Instant Comfort Improvement

• Comfort Boost: As soon as the EWI system is in place, you will likely notice that your home feels less drafty and more comfortable, with a consistent and cozy temperature maintained with less energy input.
• Improved Energy Efficiency Rating: The installation of EWI can immediately improve the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of your home, which can also increase the property’s value.

6. Reduction in Noise

• Improved Acoustic Insulation: Although not its primary function, EWI can also provide some level of soundproofing, reducing external noise by adding a layer of insulation that absorbs sound.

 

For those who arrive at this point and are interested in a free quote for external wall insulation in Leicester and Coventry, I would encourage you to drop a message.. here

We are also on social media, where we show day to day life of Wall Insulation Team LTD – Facebook