Installing external...
 

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Installing external insulation boards

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I live in a small terrace house, brick fronted solids walls, built around 1912. Sometime around the 70’s the house was pebble dashed with sharpe gravel. The front is fairly small, CIRCA 15m2. I’m looking to fit 50mm foam boarding to the front and then get them rendered. Anyone fitted the boards themselves using a scaffold set up? Looks fairly straight forward once the base track is set plumb and level.

I would only fit the boards and beading. Professional in for the base/mesh and render coat. Any issues fixing to existing pebble dash ? It’s on super strong and no concerns about it bonding to the existing.


 
Posted : 03/01/2025 5:07 pm
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I personally wouldn't be touching any kind of external insulation cladding system until all the questionable testing has been reassessed.


 
Posted : 03/01/2025 5:24 pm
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I'd be wary of attaching non-permeable boards to the outside, and even more wary of face sealing it. If water gets in, it's not going to get out again. If it's an option, I'd opt for mineral wool, which will let the brick breathe/dry, to an extent. I'd also probably steer away from render/stucco too, as it will crack and look crappy pretty quickly if applied over a surface that's liable to move.

I work as a building science engineer btw 🙂


 
Posted : 03/01/2025 5:55 pm
scrumfled, J-R, scrumfled and 1 people reacted
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Get interstitial condensation calcs done. Get advice around breathability and fire resistance.

The detailing around neighbours/ party wall, roof overhang, windows and doors also needs proper thought and specification.

That said, external wall insulation can be great. I think @perchypanther installs such things.


 
Posted : 03/01/2025 6:58 pm
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 I think@perchypanther installs such things

Not for 7-ish years now.

but, as above, get it specced and calced by someone who knows what they’re doing.
DIY’ing will almost certainly prevent you getting any kind of warranty on whichever system you choose. The system manufacturer will only warranty the installation if it’s carried out by an approved installer.


 
Posted : 03/01/2025 8:59 pm
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 ajc
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As has been outlined well above it is high risk to insulate solid walls without a full understsnding of what you are doing and its implications. If the surface area is small the heat loss will be as well. You may be better served taking another approach to reduce heat loss. The details at ground, structural openings, rainwater goods, roof junction, neighbours  etc are very easy to get wrong


 
Posted : 04/01/2025 7:25 am

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