Step-by-Step EWI Installation Video 💬
Video credit: YouTube – K Rend External Wall Insulation
External Wall Insulation (EWI)
Mission
Excellent thermal insulation – low thermal conductivity (typically 0.032–0.040 W/m·K) helps reduce heat loss or gain.
Lightweight – easy to handle, transport, and install compared to heavier insulation materials.
Moisture resistance – very low water absorption; resists mold, mildew, and rot.
Durable – resistant to chemicals, oils, and many solvents; long service life.
Flexibility – especially in foam form (XPE), it can be cut, shaped, and wrapped around pipes or ducts easily.
Good mechanical strength – higher-density grades provide compressive strength and impact resistance.
Acoustic performance – contributes to noise reduction and vibration damping in some applications.
Electrical insulation – polyethylene is an excellent dielectric material, useful in cable insulation.
Safe and clean – non-fibrous, does not shed particles, comfortable for installers to handle.
Customizable – available in sheets, rolls, or tubes; can be laminated with foil, adhesive, or fabric for specific uses.
Cost-effective – generally lower cost compared to advanced insulation materials while still offering good performance.
Vision
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Developed for thermal, acoustic and fire performance in a range of construction types.
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Made up of high-quality resin bonded slabs.
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Can be applied to an array of general building applications for acoustic and thermal insulation of partition walls, ceilings, floors and roofs.
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This multi-use solution is well suited for easy application throughout constructions.
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RWA45 is rated Euroclass A1 non-combustible, providing the highest level of fire performance.
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Using RWA45 in ceilings, walls and floors can help to compartmentalise rooms, reducing fire spread and damage.
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Achieves Lambda 0.035W/mK with a density of 45kg/m³.
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Offer excellent thermal, acoustic and fire performance.
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The slabs are easy to handle and install.
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A durable insulation solution which will maintain high performance over the lifetime of the building.
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The water repellent qualities of the insulation prevent moisture build up, damp and rot.
Values
Kingspan is one of the world’s most well-known and trusted manufacturers of insulation boards. They offer floor insulation, cavity wall insulation, wall insulation and roof insulation for residential buildings. Kingspan has a wide range of different boards that they have specially designed so that you can have the best board for the application. Depending on the use of the Kingspan insulation board, it will either be covered with foil, glass tissue, or a bitumen finish.
he K5 range, for example, is covered with tissue-based facing that is bonded to the insulation core, and is designed for external wall applications, as it allows you to render plaster over the material. Kingspan Kooltherm Cavity Closer is a uPVC extrusion with premium performance, fibre-free, rigid thermoset phenolic core that provides a simple and efficient method of closing cavities around openings in masonry cavity walls.
🏠 External Wall Insulation (EWI) – Everything You Need to Know
External Wall Insulation, also known as EWI or K-Rend, is a multilayer insulation system applied to the exterior of an existing wall.
It consists of several layers — insulation, base coat, reinforced mesh, and finishing coat — designed to improve your home’s energy efficiency and weather protection.
By preventing water from entering and keeping walls warm, EWI helps your masonry stay pleasantly dry all year round.
🔹 What Is External Wall Insulation?
External wall insulation is one of three main ways to insulate a property — alongside cavity wall insulation and internal insulation.
The main goal of EWI is to keep the wall warm by separating it from cold outdoor temperatures.
German specialists have proven that applying insulation to the outside of a building improves thermal efficiency by moving the dew point away from the wall, which prevents moisture build-up and heat loss.
The installation process involves fixing insulation boards to the outside walls, then covering them with reinforcement mesh and a decorative render finish.
This creates a solid, weather-resistant, and energy-efficient barrier.
🔹 How External Wall Insulation Is Installed
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Preparation
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Start with a render test to check whether your existing render can support insulation.
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Remove external pipework and protect windows to avoid damage.
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Insulation begins a few inches above ground level to prevent moisture problems.
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Starter Track Installation
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Install an aluminium starter track around the base of the wall (about 200 mm above ground).
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Fill any gaps with foam, trims, or sealant to ensure a smooth surface.
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Fixing the Insulation Boards
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Boards are applied using adhesive and mechanical fixings (8–10 per m²).
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They should be staggered for strength and cut in an L-shape around corners.
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Gaps are filled with expanding foam for a tight seal.
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Adding Mesh and Base Coats
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A fibreglass mesh is embedded between two layers of base coat render.
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This strengthens the system and prevents cracking.
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Weather conditions should be dry during application.
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Applying the Final Render
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The topcoat render provides color and texture.
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It’s available in various finishes — from smooth to textured — and protects against moisture and UV rays.
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Find out how much insulation your home needs
Once you have the square footage of the area, the recommended u-value, and the recommended thickness, you can calculate the amount of insulation you need.
To do this, divide the square meters of the area by the surface area covered by the insulation of the given board or roll.
Here are two examples of how to calculate the insulation needed:
Example
Let's say you want to insulate a wall that measures 10 meters wide and 2.5 meters high. The recommended u-value for the wall is 0.18 W/m2K, and the recommended thickness for the insulation material is 50mm. You've decided to use EPS Insulation , which has a thermal conductivity value of 0.032W/(m2K)
To calculate the insulation needed, follow these steps:
Calculate the square footage of the wall: 10m x 2.5m = 25 square meters.
Assuming Celotex insulation board covers an area of 0,72 (600 x 1200mm) square meters, we can calculate the number of boards required using the following formula:
Number of boards = 25 square meters ÷ 0,72 square meters
Therefore, you will need 34,72 EPS insulation boards to achieve the recommended u-value and thickness for the wall.
CONCLUSION
Estimating how much insulation you need may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and guidance, it can be a straightforward process. By calculating square footage, thickness, and u-value, as well as using insulation calculators, you can get an accurate estimate of how much insulation you need for your home or building. Whether you're insulating walls, ceilings, or attics, the key is to choose the right type of insulation and get the right amount to maximize energy efficiency and cost savings.
Insulation for Walls
When it comes to insulating walls, there are two main options: cavity wall insulation and external wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation involves injecting insulation into the gap between two layers of brick or blockwork, while external wall insulation involves adding insulation to the outside of the building. The type of insulation you choose will depend on the type of wall you have and your personal preferences.
To estimate how much insulation you need for walls, you'll need to calculate the square footage and thickness of the area you want to insulate.
Insulated plasterboard is another option for insulating walls. It consists of a layer of plasterboard with a layer of insulation attached to the back. It can be used as a standalone insulation solution or in combination with other insulation materials.
When it comes to cavity wall insulation, there are two main types: partial fill and full fill. Partial fill insulation involves filling only part of the cavity with insulation, leaving an air gap to allow moisture to escape. Full fill insulation involves filling the entire cavity with insulation, providing greater insulation and reducing the risk of moisture buildup.
Popular insulation materials for cavity wall insulation include Unilin, Kingspan, and Celotex. Uilin offers a range of insulation boards, including cavity wall insulation boards, which are suitable for both partial fill and full fill applications. Kingspan also offers cavity wall insulation boards, as well as a range of rigid insulation boards suitable for external wall insulation. Celotex offers a range of PIR insulation boards that can be used in cavity wall insulation applications.
For external wall insulation, the most commonly used thicknesses for insulation boards are 90mm, 100mm, and 120mm, depending on the manufacturer and the insulation material used. One popular system for external wall insulation is the EWI (External Wall Insulation) system, which involves attaching insulation boards to the outside of the building and covering them with a render finish. This system can provide a U-value of 0.30 W/m²K or lower, making it an effective way to improve the energy efficiency of a building.
WHY IS MY HOUSE SO COLD? THE UGLY TRUTH REVEALED*

Most people have asked themselves at least once: Why is my house so cold?
It’s one of the top winter searches on Google, which shows just how common the problem is. If your home feels chilly inside, there may be one—or several—causes. In this article we’ll explore the most likely reasons your house feels more like a fridge than a cozy home, and we’ll explain practical steps you can take to fix it and keep the cold out for good.
The feeling of cold in your home usually comes down to just a few key factors. In fact, there are four main reasons why we feel cold indoors — and understanding them is the first step to solving the problem:




