Insulation Grants
SEAI offers grants up to €8,000 for EWI. We assist with applications and apply the grant discount upfront for your convenience.
What is External Wall Insulation?
External Wall Insulation (EWI) involves fixing insulation boards to the outside walls of your home, then applying a weatherproof render finish in your choice of colour. Think of it as wrapping your house in a warm, protective blanket — highly effective at keeping your home warmer and reducing energy bills.
At Complete Insulations, we use EPS mineral wool, all agrément certified and compliant with SEAI standards.
These boards deliver U-values of 0.27 W/m²K or better.
The process includes attaching boards with adhesive, reinforcing with mesh and mechanical fixings, then applying a durable weatherproof render that protects your home and freshens its look.
The Terraco system offers a lifespan of 30+ years, providing long-term performance and protection.
Before & After Gallery
before
after
Front elevation brickwork 100mm fully filled cavity with Kore bead, 100mm EPS external insulation on rear and gable elevation with acrylic render finish.
Willow Close, Dunsaughlin
before
after
Front elevation Brickwork area, cavity full fill with Kore bead insulation. Front, gable and rear elevation 100m EPS was installed with acrylic render finish.
Castleview Row, Swords
before
after
100mm EPS external insulation, acrylic render finish, square reveals, 300mm mineral wool attic insulation.
Clanranald Road, Donnycarney
before
after
Front elevation brick porch pumped with cavity wall Kore bead insulation, front elevation replicated to match the existing, band formed on front and gable elevation with patent reveals around windows and doors, 100mm EPS insulation with acrylic and marble dash render on front elevation and marble dash to rear and gable elevations.
Esker Lawns, Lucan
before
after
External wall insulation 100mm, Replicated bands formed around all windows and doors, acrylic render finish, overcills installed powder coated aluminium.
Seaview Avenue, East Wall
before
after
External wall insulation 120mm, Replicated bands formed around all windows and doors, acrylic render finish, overcills installed powder coated aluminium.
Ballybetagh Road, Kilternan
before
after
External wall insulation 100mm, Square reveals around all windows and doors, acrylic render finish, overcills installed powder coated aluminium.
Leighlin Road, Crumlin
Benefits of External Wall Insulation
External Wall Insulation offers a comprehensive upgrade to your home’s thermal efficiency and exterior:
- Superior Coverage: Almost complete exterior coverage reduces heat leakage significantly.
- Consistent Warmth: Walls retain heat longer, maintaining a more even indoor temperature.
- Thicker Insulation: Unlike cavity insulation limited by cavity width, EWI thickness can be adjusted for optimal performance.
- Lower Energy Bills: Significantly cuts heating costs by improving thermal retention.
- Property Facelift: Choose from many colours for a fresh, attractive exterior.
- Minimal Disruption: Installation is done outside, so your daily routine inside remains undisturbed.
- Weather Protection: Adds a weatherproof seal guarding against rain, frost, and damage.
- Improved BER Rating: Enhances your home’s energy performance certificate.
- Fewer Draughts: Better airtightness means less draughtiness indoors.
- Noise Reduction: Cuts down noise pollution from outside.
- Reduced Damp Risk: Minimizes thermal bridging and cold spots that cause condensation and mould.
- Preserves Floor Space: Since insulation is external, you don’t lose any interior room.
- Increased Property Value: Upgrades add value to your home.
- Low Maintenance: Requires very little upkeep.
- Wall Protection: Extends the life of your exterior walls.
- Versatile: Suitable for various property types.
- Eco-Friendly: Helps reduce your carbon footprint by lowering heating needs.
Is EWI Suitable for Your Home?
EWI is ideal for:
Solid Walls, Hollow Block Walls & Some Cavity Walls
Houses built before the 1980s can be poorly insulated, typically cavity block walls with poor drylining internally. Houses built before the 1960’s can have no insulation, typically solid walls.
If you are unsure, get in touch for a free consultation to determine the best solution for your property.
Note: If your home is subject to exterior alteration restrictions (e.g., heritage or protected status), internal dry lining might be a better option to preserve the original facade.
Can EWI Be Used on Cavity Walls?
Yes, certain cavity walls can benefit from EWI in addition to cavity wall insulation.
Cavity widths may be only 50-60mm, but EWI thickness can go up to 150mm — essentially upgrading from a thin to a thick blanket for your walls.
Contact us to assess if your cavity walls are suitable.
Grants and Planning Permission
Cost of External Wall Insulation
EWI is more expensive than other insulation types, reflecting its thicker, high-performance nature and added exterior upgrade. Factors affecting cost include:
- Property size
- Number of exterior obstructions (e.g., windowsills, roof overhangs)
- Complexity of wall features
To get a personalised estimate, call us at 01 8954908 or use our contact form for a free consultation and quote.
Damp Prevention with EWI
Properly installed EWI does not cause damp. We inspect your damp course before installation and advise if repairs are needed — rising damp must be fixed before insulation begins.
We follow SEAI and NSAI standards and use only superior products to ensure quality and prevent issues.
Remember, daily household activities can cause condensation, so manage humidity through ventilation, opening windows, or dehumidifiers.
Installation Process
With 16+ years experience as an SEAI registered installer, we make the process straightforward.
Initial property inspection to assess wall and damp course integrity, check for ESB alterations
Advice on necessary preparations (e.g., moving meters, clearing exterior spaces)
Installation steps:
- Clean walls
- Remove and later replace fixtures
- Seal gaps and ensure ventilation
- Fix insulation boards with adhesive and mechanical fixings
- Apply reinforcing mesh and weatherproof render
- Add decorative finish
- Clean site thoroughly
Installation typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on property size and weather. Work is external only, so no indoor disruption or fumes, though some low-level noise is normal during early days.
You’ll notice improved comfort overnight. The system includes a 25-year guarantee and requires no special maintenance.
Note: Depending on season, a 2-4 week notice period may be necessary before installation.
External Wall Insulation Installation Gallery
Take a look at the pictures below to see what actually happens during the installation process. This is one of our exterior wall insulation jobs that we completed in Dublin. As you can see, the installation of exterior insulation is not too intrusive as the work is completed outside the home, there is no alteration to the structure of your house, and after the insulation is installed, you get a fresh coat of render to leave your house looking brand new!
Front and side of house before insulation is installed.
External insulation is fixed to the exterior of the house. Front door is covered to protect the paintwork.
New render is applied over the insulation for a fresh, clean look.
Front of house looking smart with brand new external insulation and render.
Rear of property before insulation is installed.
External insulation and fresh, clean render have been applied.
Workmen clean up after the insulation has been installed.
About Our Insulation Products
We use Enewall (formerly Powerwall) EWI systems, trusted industry leaders with 25+ years’ experience. They provide a range of insulation options suited to your home’s needs.
Free Consultation
For a free consultation or to learn more, call us at 01 8954908 or complete our contact form below.
Collection & Use of Personal Information