Benefits of External Wall Insulation, Residence Refurb Tips, Home Upgrade Help
Benefits of External Wall Insulation Guide
Home Style Upgrade – Architectural Design Article
9 Nov 2018
5 benefits of external wall insulation
Designing for renovation can often pose more challenges than a new build project. Renewing existing buildings requires a different set of skills and solutions – particularly when dealing with old properties, or those of non-standard construction.
When insulating a new build or extension, there are a wide range of fantastic options. Finding retrofit solutions for an existing property can be a little more difficult. 8.5 million homes in the UK are rated as ‘hard to treat’ meaning the usual methods of retroactively insulating aren’t always a viable option. With this being the case, what options are out there?
External wall insulation (EWI) systems are the ideal solution for hard to treat properties. So what is EWI and why should we be specifying it?
EWI makes it possible to insulate a home by fitting insulation to its external walls, improving thermal performance and reducing energy consumption. And with 22 million homes in the UK having been identified as being in need of remedial action in order to reduce wasted energy, EWI is certainly something to think about.
The systems are built up in several layers:
- Insulation layer (polystyrene, mineral wool, foam panels)
- Glass fibre matting
- Undercoat render and primer
- Top coat (paint, finish etc.)
Choosing EWI avoids interfering with plumbing and electrics, and allows other trades to carry on inside the property. Undoubtedly the biggest advantage of an EWI system however, is that space inside the property is not reduced, unlike with internal insulation which can reduce the habitable area by up to 7%.
Here are 5 long-term benefits of choosing external wall insulation system for your project – guide:
- Improves the thermal performance of a building
External wall insulation (EWI) improves the walls’ thermal inertia and limits heat loss. This improves the indoor thermal comfort, reduces heating costs, and limits CO2 pollution.
- Living spaces become more comfortableHeat loss through the walls of a home causes damp, which can lead to paint and plaster degrading, wallpaper coming unstuck, and the development of mites and mould. Damp homes can also contribute to respiratory problems. Effectively insulating a home limits the effects of condensation, and can help tackle issues with damp.
- Reduces noise levelsNoise pollution can have a detrimental impact on our health and well-being. One way to cut down on disturbances such as traffic noise from outside is to install an EWI system with a mineral fibre insulation – a quieter home is a more comfortable one.
- Makes a more attractive homeEWI is covered with a decorative finish such as paint or render. There are a wide range of low-maintenance decorative finishes on the market such as silicone and acrylic paints, mineral renders, brick effect, and you can find the perfect finish with dry dash or ashlar and quoin detailing.
- A more valuable, high-performance buildWhether the project is a new-build or a renovation, external wall insulation will future-proof it against regulation changes. Potential future buyers will be interested not only in the appearance of the home, but also the thermal performance. A well-insulated, thermally-efficient home which has been coated in fire-retardant materials is a more valuable one.
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Location: Canada, North America
Architecture in Canada
Canadian Architecture Designs – chronological list
DARE District at Algonquin College, Ottawa
Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects
images courtesy of architects
DARE District at Algonquin College
National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa
The Senate of Canada Renewal, Ottawa
Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects with KWC Architects
image from architect
The Senate of Canada Building Ottawa
National Arts Centre Building in Ottawa
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