EXTERNAL ENVELOPE 53 A fix for high performance


Paul Brown from Swifix looks at the development of new EWI solutions that avoid old timber methods and combine performance with aesthetic appeal


T


he external wall insulation industry has accelerated in importance for architects, developers, contractors


and consumers alike, and has been among the most rapidly growing sectors in the construction industry. However, the progress in techniques and solutions has been proportionately slower, with systems remaining unchanged for decades. One such practice that has remained unchanged is the fitting and refitting of items back through external wall insulation systems. The growth in external wall insulation (EWI) and solid wall insulation (SWI) installations has increased in recent years; however the way that items are fixed through systems has only recently started to change.


There are still millions of UK properties that can benefit from the application of


ADF JANUARY 2023


external wall insulation and therefore it is advisable that this recurring issue for homeowners, tenants, social landlords and building owners of how to fix items to the system should be addressed. It is also equally important for new builds where render finishes have become increasingly popular in recent years, as discerning homeowners are looking for a clean and modern exterior finish.


Current practice dictates that large blocks of timber were fitted before the EWI system was installed, in order to be able to replace items using a screw. The use of timber instantly compromises the insulation system and is not an acceptable method within PAS2030 and PAS2035 regulations, introducing as it does areas of weakness and thereby preventing maximum gains in energy efficiency.


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The entire ethos behind EWI is to provide a


continuous insulation layer to the whole building


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