Whether new or old, buildings may benefit from ETICS to increase their energy efficiency and sustainability. The ETICS system, also known as the external thermal insulation composite system, is intended to increase the energy efficiency of both new and existing structures. It is hence a popular choice for renovating older structures.
Multiple layers make up this technique of exterior wall insulation. Continuous exterior insulation increases thermal performance, lowers thermal bridges, and stores heat in the walls to make a space more comfortable to live in. Systems may adapt to accommodate various building structures and designs since the materials employed might vary.
What is the ETICS?
The ETICS, or External Thermal Insulation Composite System, is a thin, layered insulation system created to increase the energy efficiency of both new and old structures. An ETICS is a kind of cladding system that offers waterproofing and an insulated finished surface for external walls in a single integrated composite material system.
In other words, an External Thermal Insulation Composite system is an energy-efficient thermal wrapping or facade insulation that is put on the outside of a building and then covered with a long-lasting, decorative, and protective wall coating that can be put on any kind of building.
There are several different ETICS versions used in the building sector. A solid wall receives the application of the most fundamental and typical ETICS, commonly referred to as classic or conventional ETICS. The term “ETICS with drainage” refers to a different kind of barrier ETICS that can also drain water. For wood constructions, this is done mostly.
History of ETICS
German engineers created External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems in the 1950s for use in façades that would enhance finishing and thermal insulation. In response to the energy crisis of the 1970s and the need for comfort in buildings, ETICS was first developed in the USA in the late 1960s and quickly gained popularity in the construction industry.
Why is ETICS needed?
The façade of a building is often the region between its interior and outside that is the biggest, making it a potential source of significant heat loss. In order to effectively combat thermal energy loss, exterior walls should be thermally insulated from the outside1.
It is the goal of the ETICS system to insulate a building’s vertical envelope, whether it be a whole apartment complex or a single-detached home. By doing so, condensation issues, damage from the weather, and temperature load are avoided.
A few key advantages are:
- Decreasing thermal bridging to stop heat loss
- Increasing a building’s overall energy efficiency
- An affordable way to upgrade existing buildings
- Minimally disturbing installation for tenants
A sustainable structure
The mortars’ environmental effect is only one factor. How, though, does their positive impact on the environment fare? As an illustration, the 130 m2 external thermal insulation composite system’s CO2 emission is similar to a car’s CO2 output for a 9.000 km driving trip.
However, during the façade’s anticipated service life, a quantity of CO2 equivalent to 100.000 kilometers of driving is avoided! The CO2 output induced by the manufacture of the ETICS is more than ten times more than the CO2 output during the service life!
The industry
The European ETICS Industry is the world leader in External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems. Around 163 million square meters and € 3.3 billion were sold in 2011. (material price). Extruded polystyrene XPS, mineral wool, and expanded polystyrene EPS, among other insulating materials, are used as insulation (e.g., cork boards). ETICS is a fantastic alternative both for new development and renovation.
Advantages of ETICS
Beneficial to the environment
A significant weapon in the battle against climate change is Europe’s building stock, which accounts for 36% of the continent’s CO2 emissions and 40% of its overall energy consumption. Reduced energy consumption in the building stock facilitates switching to renewable energy sources.
It conserves the renewable energy resources that other industries will need to migrate to a more sustainable energy source. A building’s structural durability is supported by ETICS, which shields outside walls from the elements.
ETICS’s long-term performance and durability have been demonstrated in actual use. The sustainability and circularity of systems are issues for which the ETICS industry is accountable.
Beneficial for people
Our lives are spent inside structures more than 90% of the time. Our health is impacted by indoor air quality and thermal comfort. In the winter, ETICS warm up indoor spaces while they keep things cool in the summer. ETICS help to create a community that is focused on its residents.
In healthier schools, students learn considerably better. Buildings that use less energy aid the battle against energy poverty. Millions of people in Europe lack the means to heat their houses effectively. They are freed from operational expenses via thermal insulation. Residents are not inconvenienced while ETICS is being used.
Beneficial for the structure
Due to the wide range of system configurations, colors, facing constructions, and details available with ETICS, designing facades improves the look of buildings and neighborhoods. Both new construction and renovations can benefit from ETICS. It is feasible to improve previously insulated facades using the ETICS-on-ETICS application.
ETICS with rendering technology
To fulfill the diverse requirements of building construction, national building codes, and architecture, a wide variety of system configurations (kits) are offered. The system holder’s specifications, installation guides, and national regulations will determine which combination of system components is needed for specific projects.
The components of ETICS were selected with great care so that they would have a high quality and last for a long time. Those who are holders of the system are responsible for this composition (manufacturers of ETICS kits).
They accept responsibility for ensuring that parts are correctly compatible, that the claimed performances are satisfied, and that manufacturing performance is consistent. Because of this, system holders rigorously test every ETICS before releasing them into the market to ensure that they meet specific requirements.
The indicated performances, however, can only be guaranteed by the system manufacturer if the ETICS kits, which are made up of individual components, are obtained from one manufacturer and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation guides. This definition is compatible with CPR.
In Conclusion
The usage of ETICS for more than 60 years has demonstrated its stability and suitability as a technique. Its installation is relatively quick and simple from the user’s point of view. The elements that might potentially cause the thermal insulation capabilities of ETICS to degrade are well recognized.
