Neither too hot nor too cold - For a comfortable temperature and more climate protection with ETICS insulation.
Are ETICS (external thermal insulation composite systems) still up to date? We think "More than ever!". Because without external thermal insulation composite systems, the climate targets cannot be achieved. It is important to select the right system according to individual subsidy options and requirements.
Due to the requirements of the German Building Energy Act (GEG), almost every building today is fitted with thermal insulation. External thermal insulation composite systems are the best technical method to ensure complete thermal insulation.
The range of insulation materials has expanded significantly in recent years. In the meantime, there are now answers to all pressing questions - from fire protection to recycling. However, building owners do not always want such premium systems. Where one person prefers natural materials and algae protection without biocides, another sets great value on cost-effectiveness. Still, others want a particularly thin, non-combustible or special and durable system. Considering growing environmental awareness, it is also increasingly important to building owners that the chosen system can be dismantled after use and returned to the raw material cycle.
ETICS do not shy away from comparison with alternative insulation solutions. Compared to curtain wall facades, they score with lower costs, a slimmer overall build-up and fewer thermal bridges. An insulating render is comparatively good value for money and preserves the volume of buildings, but lags well behind ETICS in terms of U-value (heat transition coefficient).
However, the greatest energy-saving potential, which is essential for achieving climate targets, can be found in existing buildings.
This is why energy-efficient refurbishments are currently being heavily subsidised.
All external thermal insulation composite systems initially perform the function of preventing the loss of room heat and thus reducing heating energy requirements. Mineral wool has very good insulating properties. For example, depending on the insulation board, the mineral thermal insulation composite systems weber.therm A 100 and weber.therm A 200 offer an insulation performance of between 0.041 W/mK and 0.035 W/mK. An insulation layer of 14 to 16 centimeters without thermal bridges is therefore sufficient to increase the energy efficiency of a property significantly and - depending on the nature of the substrate – also to meet the GEG requirements. A welcome side asset: external insulation does not only keep the interiors warm for longer in winter, but it also keeps them pleasantly cool in summer. An insulation based on mineral wool - especially in combination with a thick-layer mineral topcoat render - also increases acoustic protection
A major advantage of mineral ETICS is their diffusion openness, i.e. their permeability to water vapour. An external wall stands in a moisture balance with the indoor and outdoor air. If moisture penetrates into the wall and accumulates there without any release possibility, there is a risk of damage (inside and outside) due to mould infestation, as well as algae growth or render spalling. It is almost impossible to achieve complete impermeability to water vapour in the long term and it is not necessarily worth striving for. Instead, a functioning moisture management system inside the building component is crucial for a pleasant indoor climate, i.e the moisture that penetrates into the wall or the external thermal insulation composite system from inside (e.g. with the air we breathe) and from outside (e.g. as condensation) does not accumulate there, but is released back into the air in a controlled manner. This is the case with highly diffusion-open and mineral external thermal insulation composite systems. The usual ingress of moisture can escape unhindered. Thanks to this balanced moisture management, mineral external thermal insulation composite systems ensure a healthy living climate with pleasant temperatures, neither too dry nor too humid indoor air and a significantly reduced risk of mould.
