Choosing the right insulation board is an important part of any insulation or building project. Different boards are designed for different applications, so a product that works well in one area of a building may not be the right choice for another.
For external wall insulation (EWI), the board needs to work as part of a complete system. This means considering not only the insulation itself, but also the adhesive, fixings, reinforcing mesh, basecoat, primer and final render. Infinity PM supplies EWI materials and insulation products for trade projects, including EPS boards and other compatible system components.
What Are EWI Insulation Boards?
EWI insulation boards are designed to be installed externally on building walls as part of an external wall insulation system. The insulation is fixed to the outside of the existing wall and then covered with the appropriate reinforcing and render layers.
Infinity PM supplies ATLAS EPS insulation boards designed for external thermal insulation applications. The range includes white EPS and graphite EPS boards in different thicknesses. The boards can be used with external thermal insulation systems and ETICS applications where the relevant system requirements are met.
The key point is that an EWI board is not normally considered on its own. It forms one part of a wider system where the different materials need to be suitable for use together.
EWI Boards vs Other Insulation Boards
The main difference is usually where the board is intended to be used and how it forms part of a building system.
Other insulation boards may be designed for floors, roofs, internal walls, cavities or other areas of construction. Their properties and installation requirements can therefore differ from boards intended for external wall insulation.
For an EWI project, the board should be selected according to the wall construction, system requirements, required insulation thickness and the other materials being used.
EPS Boards for EWI
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is commonly used in external wall insulation systems. Infinity PM supplies white and graphite EPS boards, with available thicknesses including 20mm, 30mm, 50mm, 70mm and 100mm on the listed ATLAS FASADA range.
Graphite EPS contains graphite added during production and can provide improved thermal resistance compared with standard EPS, allowing different insulation requirements to be considered where the system allows.
The correct board thickness should always be selected according to the requirements of the particular project and system.
Mineral Wool Insulation
Mineral wool is another insulation material used in building projects, including suitable EWI applications. It has different characteristics from EPS and may be selected where the requirements of the building or insulation system call for a mineral wool solution.
Infinity PM also lists mineral wool insulation products, including fire mineral wool, alongside its wider EWI materials range.
This means the choice is not simply about selecting the board with the highest insulation performance. The construction, system design and project requirements all need to be considered.
Why the Complete EWI System Matters
One of the biggest differences between EWI and simply adding insulation is the number of components involved.
A typical EWI system can include:
- Insulation boards
- Base tracks
- Adhesive or basecoat
- Mechanical insulation fixings
- Reinforcing mesh
- Corner beads and other profiles
- Primer
- Decorative external render
Infinity PM supplies a range of these materials, including EPS boards, base tracks, insulation fixings, reinforcing mesh, ATLAS basecoat adhesives and render products.
For example, ATLAS Grawis U is listed for fixing white and graphite EPS boards and applying a reinforcement layer, while ATLAS HOTER U can be used for EPS and XPS boards as part of ETICS systems.
Using compatible components is important because the insulation board is only one part of the finished wall system.
How Do You Choose the Right Insulation Board?
Before ordering insulation boards, consider the following:
1. Where will the insulation be installed?
External walls, roofs, floors and internal walls can have different requirements. Start by identifying the exact application rather than choosing a board based only on its thickness.
2. What type of wall is being insulated?
The existing wall construction can affect the choice of insulation system, fixing method and other components.
3. What insulation thickness is required?
Available board thicknesses vary by product. The required thickness should be based on the project's thermal requirements and the chosen system.
4. Which insulation material is suitable?
EPS and mineral wool can have different characteristics and applications. The appropriate material depends on the building and system specification.
5. Are the other system components compatible?
Check the adhesive, fixings, mesh, basecoat, primer and render alongside the insulation board. A complete system approach helps avoid selecting individual products that are not suitable together.
EWI Boards from Infinity PM
Infinity PM supplies EWI materials and building products for trade projects across the UK. The range includes EPS insulation boards, mineral wool products, insulation fixings, reinforcing mesh, base tracks, adhesives, primers and ATLAS render systems.
If you are planning an EWI project, choosing the insulation board is an important first step, but it should always be considered alongside the complete system and the requirements of the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are EWI boards the same as general insulation boards?
Not necessarily. Insulation boards are produced for different applications, and EWI boards are designed to form part of external wall insulation systems.
Can EPS boards be used for EWI?
Yes, suitable EPS boards are used in EWI and ETICS systems. The board and other components should meet the requirements of the selected system.
Is graphite EPS different from white EPS?
Yes. Graphite is added during the production of some EPS boards and can improve their thermal resistance compared with standard EPS.
Does EWI require more than insulation boards?
Yes. An EWI system can include adhesive, fixings, reinforcing mesh, profiles, primer and a suitable external render system alongside the insulation board.
Where can I buy EWI insulation materials?
Infinity PM supplies EPS insulation boards and a range of EWI, render and building materials for trade projects in the UK.