Outsulation or ETICS

Outsulation, also known as ETICS (External   Thermal Insulation Composite System with Rendering -as known in Europe)  or  as EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System – as known in the US) is a proprietary insulation  system first introduced in the Europe over 50 years ago.

ETICS is designed to be used basically as an external thermal insulation to the walls of a building which are generally constructed of masonry material such as bricks, blocks, stones etc. Or cast-in-situ or pre-fabricated concrete panels with or without rendering.
Occasionally other types of elements of construction too are encountered needing external insulation.
Whatever the type of construction outsulation is flexible enough to provide a viable solution.

Is Outsulation beneficial?

After 40 years of use in  North America, the statistics show some astonishing figures.
One in every eleven commercial building uses proprietary Outsulation.
Up to now the manufacturer has done over 400,000 projects where over 1,000,000 ft² of Outsulation have been used.
These statistics are based on one particular brand of ETICS only and show how well the customers have embraced the concept over the years.

Why has Outsulation become so popular?

There are many user friendly features in Outsulation that are leading it to its vast popularity. viz.

• Design Freedom
  The basic insulation material is EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) which is lighter than several other insulation products, to achieve the same properties.
  It can be molded for various  architectural profiles in situ or at the factory.
• Energy Efficiency
  EPS is one of the most efficient man made insulation materials and effectively lower the transmittance of thermal e energy in either direction. Manufacturers claim that Outsulation can add R 3.85 /inch (note: imperial units) extra to that of the basic building walls.
  This is said to lower your energy consumption due to heat transfer through the external walls by about 30% – 40% and research show outsulation is 84%more efficient than the next best cladding.
• Weatherabilty
  Being  an external thermal insulation the ETICS is subject to every form of rigor from the weather elements.
  Wind, Water, rain or hot sun pose no problem to Outsulation.

Whether it is the bone chilling conditions of the polar regions or the sizzling hot sun of the Sahara , ETICS handle it efficiently, all the while protecting the interior. New innovations can provide up to 3 lines of protection against extreme wet situations.

• Durability
  By design the ETICS incorporate a reinforcing mesh of fibre glass.
  They come in different strengths to suit varied applications making it a truly durable external finish capable of withstanding quite some abuse  that occur due to specific locations in the building.
• Aesthetics
  Proprietary finishes are available providing various textures and colours which also incorporate Dirt Pickup Resistant (DPR) chemistry.
  Outsulation is weather, chemical and fade resistant.
  It is also available in a number of different finishes such as Natural Stone, Brick, Blocks and granite.
• Cost Effectiveness
  The cost of EPS insulation material is relatively cheap and can be cut or ground easily.
  (It’s mostly air bubbles!) The proprietary base coats, finishing coats, etc. are used in small quantities.
  The installation itself is a simple process of fixing with Hilti or similar anchors, cement and masonry material based adhesives and finishes using polymer binders etc.

It needs hardly any routine maintenance.

All in all Outsulation is a system quite cost effective.

• Versatility
  Arguably  Outsulation is the most versatile external  finish available to the most innovative  modern day architects and  building designers .
  It offers  and  accommodate a variety of profiles and shapes and a variety of non standard fixing methods.
  Modification of all these is quite easily done to get around an architectural, designer or constructional problem.
• Quality and Standards
  Outsulation  ETICS  are manufactured in conformity to stringent EN, BS or Irish Standards and guide lines laid down by EOTA (European Organization for Technical Approval).
  It is also manufactured in ISO9001:2004 and ISO 14000:2001 certified facilities.

ETICS can be used in new or existing buildings with ease.
And it is easy on your purse.
On top of this the Home Energy Saving Scheme (HES)  of the Sustainable Energy Authority, Ireland (SEAI) has  a grant scheme which offer a rebate of up to Euro 4000 per insulation retrofit project .
The energy you would be saving will reduce your home energy bills, reduce its carbon foot print, and conserve energy for another useful work elsewhere.
Not bad at all.
You will be the ultimate overall winner.

Greentech.ie is your friendly guide on External Insulation, Outsulation and ETICS.
Contact them for more information and guidance on all energy related queries which will receive their prompt attention.
Their services will be free of charge to you.

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We can also be contacted at 1890 245 345 and would be happy to meet with you.