Month: June 2017


Air Conditioning or External Wall Insulation?

28 06/17

Air Conditioning or External Wall Insulation?

On these hot, humid days everyone craves that feeling of the cool air conditioning or fans blowing on them but with energy prices soaring is it time to switch to a more effective method?

Why should you choose EWI over Air Conditioning?

You may have noticed that your neighbour is having External Wall Insulation installed on their property. Summer is the perfect time for you to do the same! External Wall Insulation is a great way of lowering your energy bills and giving your home a facelift at the same time.

You may think having EWI installed will only benefit you during the cooler periods, but it is also an effective way to dramatically lower the temperature of your home on hot summer days. EWI works by slowing the movement of heat between the walls, therefore, on a hot day, it will keep the cool air inside and the hot air out.

The benefits of External Wall Insulation over Air Con

External Wall Insulation will keep your home cooler in the summer by preventing heat from entering through your walls and will also keep your home nice a toasty in the winter and cooler periods. This means that you don’t need to spend money on running air conditioning units and fans during those hot days, as well as making your boiler work less by keeping the property at warm temperatures during cooler days.

In the long term, your annual energy bills will be reduced by a substantial amount, plus you wont have that added cost of having to run air conditioning, fans or other heating units. This will leave you and your bank account feeling satisfied!

Also, with External Wall Insulation, your property gets a fresh new appearance at the same time. EWI Pro Silicone Renders can be customised to any colour that you desire and they come in a range of grain sizes, from smooth 0.5mm all the way up to chunky 3mm.

FINDING AN APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED INSTALLER

We have teamed up with EWI Pro to help provide homeowners with an approved and recommended installer network across the UK. EWI Pro are one of the UK’s leading render manufacturers and our experiences with them have always been extremely positive. They have excellent technical support and a vast array of quality products. Their list of approved and recommended installers are specialists, so by choosing one of them to complete your project, you can be assured that the work and the materials installed on your property will be to the highest standard.

If you are looking for an approved or recommended EWI Pro installer, please send an inquiry by filling in your details on the form provided!.







    Unsure of what materials you require?

    Use our EWI solid wall insulation materials calculator to calculate exactly what materials you will need for a particular job.

    EWI Pro Training Academy

    We are delighted to announce we have partnered with the EWI Pro Training Academy in Aylesbury to bring you a series of professional installer training courses.

    We have 6 unique courses to choose from, each targeting a different area of the External Wall Insulation installation process.The training courses are completed over the course of a half-day or full day, and installers will receive an EWI Pro certificate upon completion.

    Why this programme?

    The EWI Pro Training courses are designed with an all-round approach to learning. You will be given the chance to learn about installing EWI systems through a mixture of classroom and practical, hands-on training.

    This programme also allows you to learn from experienced EWI professionals with years of industry experience. This way, you will leave the course equipped with the most relevant skills.






      I would like to receive news and offers from EWI Store

      What are acrylic brick slips?

      19 06/17

      What are acrylic brick slips?

       

      When in restaurants, cafes and shops, you may have noticed beautiful brick feature walls – these are growing increasingly popular.
      To create this brick effect look, a technique known as brick slip wall cladding is often used.

       


      Using a special brick slip tile adhesive, the brick slips- or brick faces – are layered on the wall or floor in a pattern by our brick slips installers.
      These brick style tiles can be used to give a brick effect on both internal and external walls, transforming the appearance and ambience of any property.

      Advantages of acrylic brick slip wall tiles
      If you like the look of brick walls, then brick slips are a simple and easy way of faking them in any space. It’s certainly quicker and easier than having a brick wall built!

      External or internal brick cladding in London
      Whether you are searching for an interior brick slip design or external brick slips, we cater for every customer’s needs and lifestyle.

      FINDING AN APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED INSTALLER

      We have teamed up with EWI Pro to help provide homeowners with an approved and recommended installer network across the UK. EWI Pro are one of the UK’s leading render manufacturers and our experiences with them have always been extremely positive. They have excellent technical support and a vast array of quality products. Their list of approved and recommended installers are specialists, so by choosing one of them to complete your project, you can be assured that the work and the materials installed on your property will be to the highest standard.

      If you are looking for an approved or recommended EWI Pro installer, please send an inquiry by filling in your details on the form provided!.







        Unsure of what materials you require?

        Use our EWI solid wall insulation materials calculator to calculate exactly what materials you will need for a particular job.

        EWI Pro Training Academy

        We are delighted to announce we have partnered with the EWI Pro Training Academy in Aylesbury to bring you a series of professional installer training courses.

        We have 6 unique courses to choose from, each targeting a different area of the External Wall Insulation installation process.The training courses are completed over the course of a half-day or full day, and installers will receive an EWI Pro certificate upon completion.

        Why this programme?

        The EWI Pro Training courses are designed with an all-round approach to learning. You will be given the chance to learn about installing EWI systems through a mixture of classroom and practical, hands-on training.

        This programme also allows you to learn from experienced EWI professionals with years of industry experience. This way, you will leave the course equipped with the most relevant skills.






          I would like to receive news and offers from EWI Store

          The Best Alternative to Dash Render

          12 06/17
          pable dash system

          The Best Alternative to Dash Render

          Whether you have dry or wet dash on your wall, there is a better, cheaper and more visually impressive render for you!

          For many years, thin coat renders have only come in – a 1mm or 1.5mm top coat. Now manufacturers sells 2mm and even 3mm render. What is so great about 3mm silicone render, is  that it looks just like wet dash, only better!

          Why use Silicone Render over wet dash?

          Silicone Render is highly flexible, easy to apply, and lasts 25 years or more. It is a great alternative to dash because it is just as resilient, but allows your walls to breathe and provides a more aesthetically pleasing finish.

          How annoying is it to have those pebbles randomly dropping off your wall months and years after the work has been done? With dry dash it is unavoidable; there are always going to be some pebbles coming loose with time. It can leave nasty scars on the wall as well. With silicone render this is just not an issue as the stones are deeply embedded in the render itself and will not come loose.

          How does 3mm silicone render look?

          Just like smaller grained render, the 3mm silicone has an even texture. Where wet dash can look blotchy and lumpy, silicone can still provide that rough textured look whilst maintaining an even and classy looking finish.

          Because silicone render is premixed at the factory, you can be sure of a great mix, time and time again. Dash is mixed up on site with a range of products not necessarily designed to work together. It’s not hard to see why a thin coat render is going to give you a better finish.

          Because silicone render is premixed with the pigment, the render is the same colour all the way through. Dash is usually painted once the top coat has set, and this means that any scratches or damage to that paint will leave very obvious marks in the render. Silicone render has that same colour all the way through, so scratches are going to be much less visible.

           Silicone Render is also cheaper!

          Dash work is very time consuming, and all that extra work mixing the render on site really adds to the time involved. Plus you need to wait for the top coat to dry before it can be painted. That’s means several days where no work can be done – extending the job and adding to cost.

           

          FINDING AN APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED INSTALLER

          We have teamed up with EWI Pro to help provide homeowners with an approved and recommended installer network across the UK. EWI Pro are one of the UK’s leading render manufacturers and our experiences with them have always been extremely positive. They have excellent technical support and a vast array of quality products. Their list of approved and recommended installers are specialists, so by choosing one of them to complete your project, you can be assured that the work and the materials installed on your property will be to the highest standard.

          If you are looking for an approved or recommended EWI Pro installer, please send an inquiry by filling in your details on the form provided!.







            Unsure of what materials you require?

            Use our EWI solid wall insulation materials calculator to calculate exactly what materials you will need for a particular job.

            EWI Pro Training Academy

            We are delighted to announce we have partnered with the EWI Pro Training Academy in Aylesbury to bring you a series of professional installer training courses.

            We have 6 unique courses to choose from, each targeting a different area of the External Wall Insulation installation process.The training courses are completed over the course of a half-day or full day, and installers will receive an EWI Pro certificate upon completion.

            Why this programme?

            The EWI Pro Training courses are designed with an all-round approach to learning. You will be given the chance to learn about installing EWI systems through a mixture of classroom and practical, hands-on training.

            This programme also allows you to learn from experienced EWI professionals with years of industry experience. This way, you will leave the course equipped with the most relevant skills.






              I would like to receive news and offers from EWI Store

              External wall insulation and Dealing with boiler flues

              04 06/17
              Dealing with boiler flues

               Dealing with boiler flues

              Boiler flues can be seen on most properties that are on the gas grid. You might see them protruding from the wall, sticking out of the roof, or stuck in an outbuilding. When it comes to EWI, boiler flues can be a real stumbling block. In this blog, we are going to look at some of the common problems and how we deal with flues.

               

              What is the problem with flues?

              Most boiler flues that protrude from a wall only do so just enough to ensure that the flue is not obstructed. After all, no one wants a long plastic pipe sticking out from the wall. External Wall Insulation (EWI) can add a layer 100mm or more to the outside of the house, and this has obvious implications for the ability of the flue to function. If the flue is even slightly buried in the wall, it can stop the boiler from functioning properly, and could in the worst case scenario cause carbon monoxide building up in the home.

              Obstructing the flue is therefore not an option, and a suitable solution must be found.

              Why do I need to move my boiler flue?

              Boxing around the flue

              One cheap and easy way to finish around the flue is to not touch the flue itself, but to leave a space of 30cm or more from the flue to the insulation. This creates a recess, as shown in the photo, which is a big enough gap to ensure the flue can operate safely, whilst still insulating the vast majority of the wall.

              It is also possible to bevel the insulation slightly to create a graded and more subtle dishing effect around the flue. This technique is often used where the cost of extending the flue is considered too high or prohibitive, or where it is not possible to extend the flue (due to an obsolete part for example).

              Extending the flue

              The alternative to boxing around the flue is to extend the flue so that it is level with the new wall depth. A gas safe plumber will be required to extend the flue using the appropriate manufacturers flue extension kit. The process is relatively simple and usually adds around £150-200 to the average job.

              This is preferable to boxing around the flue because it looks neater, leaves a smooth and clean finish, and will not create a surface for dirt and grime to collect.

              Mineral Wool is a must around the flue

              One more important thing to remember with flue extensions is to ensure you have some Rockwool or Mineral Wool around the flue when it is extended. Of course, if you are using this product for the insulation on the house anyway, then this goes without saying, but if you are planning to use EPS insulation then you must be very careful with the insulation used around the flue. The flue can get hot and potentially melt the EPS on the wall, whereas Rockwool has a much higher melting point and is therefore more suitable for use around the flue.

              The flue is a important when doing external insulation, so make sure you are dealing with it in the best way possible. If in doubt, speak to the experts at Be Constructive!

               

              SEO-Davision

              FINDING AN APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED INSTALLER

              We have teamed up with EWI Pro to help provide homeowners with an approved and recommended installer network across the UK. EWI Pro are one of the UK’s leading render manufacturers and our experiences with them have always been extremely positive. They have excellent technical support and a vast array of quality products. Their list of approved and recommended installers are specialists, so by choosing one of them to complete your project, you can be assured that the work and the materials installed on your property will be to the highest standard.

              If you are looking for an approved or recommended EWI Pro installer, please send an inquiry by filling in your details on the form provided!.







                Unsure of what materials you require?

                Use our EWI solid wall insulation materials calculator to calculate exactly what materials you will need for a particular job.

                EWI Pro Training Academy

                We are delighted to announce we have partnered with the EWI Pro Training Academy in Aylesbury to bring you a series of professional installer training courses.

                We have 6 unique courses to choose from, each targeting a different area of the External Wall Insulation installation process.The training courses are completed over the course of a half-day or full day, and installers will receive an EWI Pro certificate upon completion.

                Why this programme?

                The EWI Pro Training courses are designed with an all-round approach to learning. You will be given the chance to learn about installing EWI systems through a mixture of classroom and practical, hands-on training.

                This programme also allows you to learn from experienced EWI professionals with years of industry experience. This way, you will leave the course equipped with the most relevant skills.






                  I would like to receive news and offers from EWI Store