External Wall Insulation in Kent: Cut your energy bills and transform your home's appearance
What is External Wall Insulation?
External Wall Insulation (EWI) is a system that wraps the outside of your home in a layer of insulation board, finished with a render or coating. It's one of the most effective ways to improve the thermal performance of a property — reducing heat loss, cutting energy bills, and making your home significantly more comfortable throughout the year.
It's particularly well-suited to solid-wall homes that can't be insulated from the cavity — a very common situation across Kent's older housing stock, where Victorian and Edwardian-era properties make up a large proportion of the housing supply.
How much could you save?
The savings depend on your property type, its current insulation levels, and how you heat your home. However, solid-wall properties are among the least energy-efficient in the UK — responsible for a disproportionate share of heat loss in older homes. According to the Energy Saving Trust, insulating solid walls can save homeowners hundreds of pounds per year on heating costs.
Beyond the financial savings, EWI also improves thermal comfort (no more cold walls), reduces condensation risk, and can make a significant contribution to lowering your home's carbon footprint.
The process: What to expect
A properly installed EWI system involves several stages, and it's important that each is carried out correctly. Here's how we approach it:
Initial survey and specification — we assess your property and specify the appropriate insulation board thickness and render finish
Preparation — existing render or coatings are assessed; any repairs needed to the substrate are carried out first
Insulation board installation — boards are mechanically fixed and adhesive-bonded to the external wall
Basecoat and mesh — a reinforcing mesh is embedded in a basecoat layer to create a stable, crack-resistant substrate
Finish coat — typically a silicone render, applied in your chosen colour and texture
The finished result is both a high-performance insulation system and a completely refreshed exterior — effectively giving your home a new look at the same time.
Is EWI right for your property?
EWI is an excellent solution for:
Solid-wall homes (pre-1920s construction, or non-standard construction types)
Properties where cavity wall insulation isn't possible or hasn't worked well
Homeowners looking to significantly improve energy efficiency in a single project
Properties where the existing render needs replacing anyway — combining the two works into one project makes strong financial sense
It's less appropriate for properties with significant architectural detailing that would be obscured by the added depth, or where planning restrictions apply. We'll always advise you clearly on suitability before recommending any system.
EWI across Kent and South East London
We carry out EWI installations across Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Bexley, Bexleyheath, and Beckenham. Our team is fully trained and experienced in specifying and installing the right systems for the range of property types found across this area.
All our EWI work is carried out by our own employed team — we never use subcontractors — and insurance-backed guarantees are available for additional peace of mind.
Thinking about external wall insulation for your Kent or South East London property? Contact Ace Rendering Specialists for a free survey and no-obligation quote. Call 01622 947 167
