8 Benefits & Advantages of External Building Insulation for Your Property

In an uninsulated house, a third of heat is lost through the walls. Whether you’re an architect designing a new build, or a homeowner looking to save some money, installing proper external insulation can have a massive impact on a structure’s energy consumption.

As timber merchants, we know first-hand what a great material wood makes. In terms of insulation, it outperforms many of its competitors. This is because of the air pockets in its cellular structure, which lend this totally natural, renewable material considerably lower conductivity.

NORclad have over 40 years’ experience supplying specialist timber cladding to a range of building projects. Our sustainable supply chain ensures our wood only comes from well-managed forests in the UK and Switzerland, and is fully FSC and PEFC certified.

In this blog, we discuss the benefits of adding some external insulation to your building.

What is External Wall Insulation?

A wide range of materials can be used for external building insulation. Essentially, it’s a system of cladding fixed to exterior walls with the intention of protecting, insulating, and even enhancing the appearance of the building.

At NORclad, we naturally recommend you choose timber for your insulation. Timber cladding can totally transform the look of a structure, whilst guaranteeing dramatically reduced heat transfer.

Interior & Exterior Wall Cladding Ideas >

Benefits of External Building Insulation

When you consider the fact that Britain’s houses underperform across the board when it comes to energy efficiency, the advantages of external insulation are clear. From making a building more planet-friendly to rejuvenating your home, there are plenty of reasons you might want to install some cladding. Here are 8.

  1. Maintains Comfortable Living Temperature

Adding insulation to any property is going to make a massive difference to the internal temperature of the building. This will make spending time inside it more pleasant and comfortable, something that is required by legislation if it is a commercial or public building. External cladding also has the benefit of reducing condensation on external wall surfaces, limiting the number of thermal or cold bridges that can form, and preventing damp issues in the future.

  1. Reduces Carbon Footprint and Saves Money

Around 22% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our homes. When you consider that the UK’s target is to reach net zero by 2050, this is a clear area for improvement. What is often cited as being to blame is the prevalence of solid wall buildings, which are more difficult to insulate. A lack of insulation leads to fluctuations in temperature, meaning buildings require more heating or air conditioning to stabilise it.

Affixing cladding – timber or otherwise – to the outside of your building can have a significant effect on your environmental impact. Whether you’re an environmentally conscious homeowner, or a business looking to achieve its sustainability goals, installing cladding can help you cut back your carbon emissions and help us on our journey towards a healthier planet for all.

Of course, saving energy isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for your finances too! Installing some exterior cladding can significantly reduce heating bills, and wood is one of the most cost-effective options around. The conductivity of wood increases with density and moisture content, so it’s important to choose the right species for your project – the lighter and dryer the better!

  1. Acoustic Insulation

There’s a reason wood has been used to make musical instruments for centuries! The acoustic properties of wood means it absorbs some sound waves and reflects others longitudinally in the direction of the grain. When incorporated into building designs, it creates a soft and mellow aural environment. Whilst this effect may not be as noticeable if only the external cladding of your building is made of wood, this insulation can reduce the impact of external noise like traffic and pedestrians walking past, which can improve quality of life for occupants.

  1. Preserve Floor Space

Building insulation in its most basic sense is a barrier to heat flow. This barrier can take up floor space, something that may be highly valuable to you if your site or home is on the smaller side. Luckily, external cladding makes a great solution to this issue because it is just that – external. This means you can still reap all the benefits of a more efficient building, but not have to give an inch!

  1. Refresh Exterior of Building

External insulation doesn’t just have to be about energy efficiency. You can use your cladding choice to make an aesthetic mark on your building. A new façade can bring a building back to life, and boost the kerb appeal of your property.

Timber is one of the most common exterior cladding options for a reason. With a variety of species available, you have total design flexibility. Colour and treatment will all affect the finish you get and how the wood ages, and it can be installed with greater flexibility in patterns or shapes, developing the character of a building. Even better, timber cladding can disguise even the most functional structure, like a carpark, lending public spaces a more attractive look.

Timber Fin Cladding for Car Parks >

  1. Non-Disruptive Installation

Cladding is quick, cost-effective, and easy to fix, with sections prefabricated offsite, streamlining the installation process. On top of this, because it is affixed to the exterior of your building, mess, debris, and disruption inside your house or premises is non-existent. This means life can continue as normal while you boost your energy efficiency at the same time.

See more: Outdoor Timber Cladding – Everything You Need to Know

  1. Protects Against Weathering

Giving your building a new coat doesn’t just look good and save energy, it also protects the external walls of your building from adverse weather. Another layer in between your property and the elements can act as a buffer against heavy rain and wind, mitigating serious damage. As well as this, it reduces the impact of draughts and can help limit damp issues in the future

See more: Wood Protection – How to Protect Wood/Timber from the Elements

  1. Adds Value to Property

So, we know installing external insulation makes a building more efficient. But did you know, this increased efficiency can actually add significant value to your home? These days, people are on the hunt for a good EPC rating when buying a property. If you own an older, solid wall house, external cladding is a great way to improve your house’s score without too much expense.

Insulate Your Property with NORclad

NORclad can help you enhance the performance of your building with quality cladding manufactured from premium timber. We’re passionate about promoting the benefits of working with wood – whether you’re a self-builder, an architect, or a contractor.

Explore our full range of timber online or get in touch to talk to a member of the team. You can even download our free cladding guide here.

Read more: House Cladding – Everything You Need to Know About Timber Cladding Your House

Read more: Affordable Tips for Refurbishing a Building (Exterior and Interior)

Learn More with NORclad

Have Any Questions?

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