The best thermal insulation for external walls is usually extruded polystyrene (XPS), thanks to its high insulating capacity, resistance to moisture and durability. This material is ideal for protecting façades and is also used on roofs, floors and foundations. Among the options available, products such as URSA XPS F N RG I stand out for their thermal efficiency and versatility, offering an effective way to reduce energy losses and improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Choosing the best thermal insulation for external walls is therefore essential to protect your family home. Another point we always advise on, as an architecture practice in Málaga, is getting to know the characteristics of the building, so that we can offer a suitable budget and set out the different conditions and alternatives available.
Thermal insulation: materials and their advantages
A thermal insulator is a construction material that is able to reduce the transfer of heat through the structure in which it is installed.
External insulation consists of three basic elements: the insulation, the fixings and the finish. The insulation boards are fixed to the walls with adhesives and special fixings and, once in place, are completed with the finish. The materials used also have an aesthetic role, as they can be used both to give the building colour and to modernise its appearance.
To choose the best thermal insulation, we need to look at a number of characteristics:
- High resistance to heat and cold: this reduces heat or cold losses inside the building, giving a pleasant and constant temperature.
- Resistance to water vapour: this is very important, because when the material brings humid air into contact with a cold surface, condensation can form, leading to damp and mould problems.
- Reaction to fire: the insulation is required to be non-combustible, and its degree of flammability is also taken into account.
- Acoustic insulation: another notable function of insulation is to dampen noise, helping to make your home a more comfortable place.
As architects in Málaga, we know how valuable our clients’ time is, which is why we take care of the full management of every detached house project, including design, planning, the management and supervision of the different stages of construction, and all the necessary administrative procedures.
Types of insulation
There are several insulation materials available on the market:
- Mineral wools, such as glass wool and rock wool.
- Polyurethane foam
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS)
- Extruded polystyrene (XPS)
- Cork
What is the best thermal insulation for external walls?
SATE: the best thermal insulation for façades
The most highly recommended thermal insulation system is SATE (sistema de aislamiento térmico exterior, an external thermal insulation system, known in English as ETICS), in both its standard and Aquapanel versions. It consists of applying insulation in several layers, which are in turn protected by a render coat.
The system is made from high-quality materials and has passed demanding tests for permeability, impact resistance and abrasion. It is highly effective at eliminating thermal bridges (columns and other structural elements), to the point of cutting winter heat losses by 70% and reducing summer heat gain by 30%.
Protecting your home is essential, which is why at Klic Arquitectos, specialist architects in Málaga, we are delighted to help you with thermal insulation. You can also explore the other articles on our blog so that your home enjoys the best possible conditions.
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