Facade insulation that lasts

What is external wall insulation?

The external wall insulation system, abbreviated as ETICS, is a composite layer bonded and mechanically fixed directly to the masonry: an insulation board, a reinforcing render with mesh, and a thin-layer finish coat. A correctly installed system lasts for decades; a poorly executed one will show fixing heads within five years, crack around windows, or leave damp walls behind it. The difference lies not in material costs but in details invisible from the outside.

Polystyrene or facade wool

For a typical masonry house, the most common choice is facade polystyrene, or optionally graphite-enhanced, which provides approximately one-fifth better insulation at the same thickness. Facade mineral wool comes into play where fire safety is critical (above windows, near entrances, at property boundaries), for reducing street noise, or to allow older masonry to continue releasing moisture. For houses built of solid brick, mixed masonry, or stone, we recommend using mineral wool or a vapour-open construction across the entire facade.

We calculate the insulation thickness for your masonry in accordance with standard ČSN 73 0540-2. For brick houses from the 80s and 90s, this is usually 16 to 20 cm; for older solid-brick houses, more. You will receive the design in writing, specifying each layer, manufacturer and thickness.

Plinth and details on which the façade stands

• Plinth Up to approximately 30 cm above ground level, we insulate only with non-absorbent XPS or plinth polystyrene and protect it with mosaic render. For older houses, we also address water drainage away from the wall.
• Starter track The soffit is made of plastic. An aluminium strip creates a thermal bridge along the entire length of the house, and over time a damp streak forms beneath it.
• Windows and window sills. The insulation overlaps the frame, sealing tape is installed under the new window sill, and diagonal strips of reinforcing mesh are applied to the window corners. When a house receives new windows at the same time, we coordinate both tasks so that the window sits flush with the insulation plane.
• Anchoringsix to eight wall plugs per square metre depending on height and masonry, recessed and capped.
• Rendersilicone or silicone-silicate; choose the grain and colour from the sample chart. Dark shades on polystyrene are only available in colours permitted by the system manufacturer.

Insulating an old house

For houses built before 1950, we first determine the wall construction and check the dampness of the plinth. Insulating a damp wall traps moisture inside. Therefore, we sometimes begin with plinth remediation and drainage before proceeding to insulation. A diffusion-open assembly using mineral wool or wood fibre allows the masonry to continue drying out. For older houses, insulating the ceiling below the attic is also essential; this is often cheaper and more effective than insulating the facade alone.

How a project runs

Free inspection and survey, written proposal of the insulation composition and itemised budget within one week, followed by scheduling upon approval. Insulating the facade of a standard detached house, including scaffolding and rendering, takes 3 to 5 weeks. Before handover we photograph control points and, on request, produce... Thermal image of the finished facadeso that no thermal bridge remains undetected. For details, see the page how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions