External wall insulation is a great way to reduce energy bills. It can help to increase the energy efficiency of a home or property and is a great insulation option for properties that do not have cavity wall insulation or cavity walls.
It is, however, a reasonably big project. Which brings a lot of people to ask: how long is it going to last? If you're going to put down a chunk of money for experts like MisterRender to come and work on your external walls, you want to know that it is an investment worth making!
Well, here is everything you need to know about the lifespan and thermal performance of external wall insulation.
Take a look: What Is External Wall Insulation
Generally speaking, most external wall insulation comes with a guarantee. Across the UK, this is usually a guarantee of 25 years. But when installed correctly, good external wall insulation can last even longer than that!
External wall insulation was designed to last the lifetime of the building. It is installed with the hope of improving the building's energy efficiency for as long as possible. However, that is a hard task!
The actual lifespan of external wall insulation will depend on the insulation material used and how well the installation process went. High-performance and well-installed external wall insulation systems can last well beyond the 25-year guarantee. That being said, they should still be checked regularly to ensure they are energy efficient.
Any damage that needs repairing should be done straight away. Leaving it to worsen will only reduce the lifespan of the insulation and could damage the external walls.
There are a number of things that might impact external wall insulation's performance, which in turn can impact your energy efficiency and energy bills. It is important to consider these if you choose to install external wall insulation (or any kind of insulation, whether it be on solid walls, cavity walls, or even loft insulation!).
Different forms of insulation materials age differently. Not just when it comes to cavity wall insulation vs. external wall insulation, but even within external wall insulation, the material used can impact how long the insulation lasts and how effective it is. This is because different insulation materials have different properties and durability.
When you have external wall insulation installed, you should always hire professionals like MisterRender. This is because if external wall insulation installation does not meet all of the necessary installation requirements it will not be effective; gaps, voids, and incorrect placement can all create real issues that will dramatically impact the lifespan and thermal performance of external wall insulation.
Explore further: How Is External Wall Insulation Installed
There are a number of environmental factors that might impact how long your insulation lasts. For example, exposure to extreme temperatures may impact the lifespan of external wall insulation.
Likewise, too much moisture and the presence of pests may also shorten the lifespan of your external wall insulation.
These can often be prevented by ventilation and moisture management. Failure to do so can really limit the energy efficiency and thermal performance of external wall insulation, and can even reduce its lifespan
There are other options when it comes to insulation material and keeping your home energy efficient. These are not always suitable or possible in every home - for example, properties with a solid wall may find external wall insulation easier than cavity wall insulation! But each has its own lifespan and properties.
Cavity wall insulation involves filling the gap between the inner and outer walls of a building with insulating material. By doing so, it helps to boost energy efficiency and reduce heat loss.
This type of insulation has a lifespan of around 25 years assuming that it has been installed into the cavity walls correctly. Sometimes cavity wall insulation lasts longer - it is subject to the same factors as above.
Installed in the roof space or attic (hence the name loft insulation) this type of insulation uses mineral wool and cellulose most commonly. It does well at increasing a property's energy efficiency when properly installed and can be crucial in helping to reduce heat loss.
Installed correctly, loft insulation has a lifespan of around 50 years depending on the material used and installation.
Explore: How Thick Is External Wall Insulation
If you've already had external wall insulation installed (or another type of insulation) and are wondering whether it needs renewing or repairing, here's what to look for:
If your energy efficiency is suddenly dropping, you will notice that your energy bills will start to increase. This is often a sign that your insulation is no longer working properly and needs attention.
With external wall insulation, the external insulation is installed across the whole property on the external walls. If you suddenly start to find that individual rooms are colder or draughtier for no apparent reason (i.e., the window hasn't been left open) then it may well be a sign that your external insulation is failing.
One of the benefits of installing external wall insulation is that it will help to fight dampness and moisture build-up in the walls along with the silicone render that will be applied on top of the insulation, and as a consequence should help to prevent mould or mildew on your walls. If you suddenly start to notice patches of organic growth on your internal wall or external wall, it is a sign that there is an issue and that proper insulation is not occurring!
Rodents and insects are also a sign that you might need to take a look at your external insulation. Both rodents and bugs are known to damage external insulation (and even internal wall insulation!), so any sign of them should act as a sign to take a look at your insulation.
The goal of any kind of insulation, whether internal insulation or external wall insulation, is to prevent heat loss and protect the property from damp and cold. If you start to notice a wall has damp or moist spots or you feel moist air in your home then this is a sign that your home insulation is not working as well as it should.
