Can you carry out External Wall Insulation in the Winter?

Plenty of people ask us if  External Wall Insulation can be carried out in the winter, and the short answer is yes we can!

Winter is the time of year that many people say they wished they got their insulation done back in the summer when it was the perfect time for building work. In the winter, it is true that rendering work takes longer and may need more time to dry. There can also be days when the weather is so cold or so wet that work has to stop until it is suitable again. But more importantly, we do not advise rushing a job if the weather conditions aren’t appropriate. If you require a day off to let adhesive or primer dry, or if it is just too cold and may lead to freezing of the render, be patient until conditions improve.

How long will my EWI project take in the winter?

There is no exact time frame that can be promised and you should always factor in some sort of downtime to time estimates during the winter period, as the weather can be extremely unpredictable, and contractors and installers may not be able to meet the predicted completion dates if they are disrupted. Sometimes, it is easier to just wait until the spring and summer and get your EWI and Rendering project completed when the conditions are optimal to ensure that there are no delays, disruptions or problems when carrying out the work.

Which materials and products can I use in the winter?

EWI Pro specify that their materials should typically be used at temperatures no lower than +5°C. Attempting to apply EWI Pro products at the wrong temperatures will most likely lead to failure during the setting process. However, they do have a few solutions to ease the challenges that winter presents.

The Winter Adhesive is ideal for the winter period; it’s completely frost-proof and waterproof and can be used at temperatures down to zero degrees. You can use this adhesive as both a basecoat and for fixing EPS insulation boards.

The EWI-020 Render accelerator is a high-quality solution that can be used to accelerate the curing process. If you live in a colder climate, where the drying process takes a long time, this product is a worthwhile investment. It allows installers to continue to install thin-coat render systems throughout the winter months. EWI-020 works to speed up this curing process, allowing for a faster job completion rate. This product only works with EWI Pro Silicone Renders.

It is also essential that you use appropriate polythene coverings to protect the products during the most important setting stage, ensuring that frost does not settle, water and wind are blocked out.