In a bid to improve your home’s energy efficiency, you may be considering exterior wall insulation, but what are the pros and cons?
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Keep the Warmth In
Buildings with solid walls lose a lot of heat if they are not properly insulated, leading to costly energy bills, so investing in proper insulation is a good idea, especially as the UK strives to be more sustainable.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy says that exterior wall insulation may be suitable if you are already doing work on the outside of your property or if you don’t want any disruption inside it. It may also be that cavity wall insulation is not suitable.
This is the biggest plus of exterior wall insulation, which sees a layer of insulation fixed to the outside of a property before being rendered or covered in cladding.
It is more expensive than internal wall insulation, but you won’t lose any interior space, and the savings you’ll get from paying less in energy are substantial. You’ll experience fewer draughts and less condensation, making your home cosier, and it also improves weatherproofing.
Things to Consider
If the exterior wall insulation is going to change the look of the outside of your house, or if you live in a conservation area, you may need to apply for planning permission, but in most cases this is not required.
You will need to find an approved contractor who can fit exterior wall insulation, but there are many available who can explain the process and what you can expect.
There will need to be scaffolding and the contractor will have to remove any cables or pipes that are attached to the walls.
In Summary
Exterior wall insulation is expensive, but is effective at reducing heat loss.