Modern, external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS/EIFS) comprises of an insulation layer fixed to the outside of an external wall, using a combination of mechanical fixings and adhesive depending on the material used, with a protective render or cladding finish. It is suitable for solid wall, non-traditional and cavity wall properties and offers several advantages, as well as the improvement of energy efficiency standards:

The following are some of the options available depending on the type of building:

1. Thermal insulation such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) sheets can be installed on the outside and covered with plaster coat. An advantage is to prevent thermal bridges (materials that are poor insulators, allow heat to flow through them, significantly reduce the effectiveness of thermal insulation). Structural thermal bridges might occur around windows; doors and unheated parts of the building. Insulation of the outer walls is therefore directly connected to the frame of the windows and doors and should overlap adjoining cold parts of the building.
2. Metal Framed Building – Rail & Bracket Systems Profiled metal cladding systems use Glass Mineral Wool of high tear strength which is  ideal for this application.  Typically the installation comprises of a rail & bracket spacer system with thermal breaks and profiled inner liner.  The system provides an improved thermal performance for saving energy costs and acoustic performance.  In conjunction with the correct insulation the system can potentially reduce insurance premiums.  A range of thermal performances is available depending on the insulation’s R-value.

3. The external wall insulation of masonry wall requires a high density, high strength Rock/Stone Wool batt for impact resistance, compressive strength and with water repellent additive. The batts can be adhered or mechanically fixed to the building’s external substrate (can be brick or block masonry or solid concrete) and then overlaid with mesh and finished with render. In additional to thermal and acoustic improvements this approach significantly improves the aesthetic appearance of existing building stock.  This system can also be used in new build projects.