Choosing the right insulation materials for a façade is one of the most important decisions when designing a building, since the building's energy efficiency and the comfort of its occupants will depend on this choice to a great extent.
The current legislation regarding residential construction establishes minimum criteria of insulation that must be complied with in buildings to ensure their energy efficiency and habitability.
There are multiple solutions on the market, but we should bear in mind that not all of them are equally effective, nor do they have the same installation cost. Next, we will provide some guidelines on how to choose the best insulation for a façade.
Tips for choosing the best insulation for a façade
All energy renovations of façades must improve the insulation of the building without interfering in the life of the building's users nor reducing the useful space of the dwellings.
This renovation will provide thermal insulation, remove thermal bridges of the enclosure and reinforce the structure of the envelope of the building.
There is a wide range of insulation systems, although our choice will also depend on the constructive characteristics, such as the type of wall or the space. When applying insulation, you can opt for different materials such as polystyrene, mineral wool or polyurethane.
The characteristics that must be met are:
- Elimination of thermal bridges.
- Elimination of condensation and moisture leaks.
- Not affecting the interior space of the building.
- Correcting cracks in the envelope.
- Protecting the structure against thermal shocks.
SATE system for façades insulation
This Exterior Thermal Insulation System (SATE, the Spanish acronym) consists of the application of an insulating mortar coating to the exterior façade, protected with a mineral mortar. The fixing of the insulation material is done in both an adhesive and a mechanical way.
It is one of the most effective procedures for thermally insulating the façade of a building and its cost is amortized over a period of approximately ten years. In addition, it contributes to reduce energy losses by more than 50%.
Polyurethane systems for façades
Polyurethane systems are one of the best materials in terms of insulation thanks to their excellent thermal behaviour, their versatility and their efficiency, as well as in terms of value for money.
While sprayed polyurethane and sandwich panels are the best choice for insulation from the outside, injected polyurethane is an excellent choice to insulate walls with an air gap.
