It is estimated that there are 7 million homes in the UK with uninsulated solid walls. We recommend external wall insulation for a number of reasons; aside from the obvious benefit of increased thermal efficiency, it helps protect walls, muffles sound and can improve the appearance of your home.
The final stage in solid wall insulation is a render, which can be a variety of textures and colours. The standard finish is a smooth, flat-coloured render, but some companies will offer you another choice. If you want to insulate your property externally without losing the character of original brickwork, you could have brick slips installed.
What are brick slips?
These are thin acrylic tiles that look like brick, applied to the wall one by one. They are available in a variety of colours and can match any type of brick. The adhesive is designed to mimic pointing (the mortar between bricks) and is also available in several different colours.
They are lightweight and are therefore suitable for almost all walls. They require minimal maintenance. They can also be used indoors. The system is insulation > adhesive > mesh > primer > brick slips.
If the brick slips are installed well, you won’t be able to tell they aren’t the real thing.
How much do brick slips cost to install?
They cost around £150/m2 to install as opposed to £100/m2 for the standard render. So, they’re a bit more expensive, but it’s forking out the difference if it’s the finish you’d prefer. After all, if you get a good system, it could be guaranteed for a minimum of 25 years!
So there you have it. Keep your home warm and save on energy bills – all without losing the charm of original features.
In the video below, our friends from EWI Pro show Nick the installation process.
Installing solid wall insulation
Interested in getting solid wall installation? We have scoured the country for the best tradespeople, so that we can make sure we only recommend those we really trust.
If you would like us to find you a local installer, just fill in the form below and we will be in touch shortly!
How much would labour cost be for sticking the brick slips ?
Hi Neil – the labour cost varies depending on the size of the property and where it is located. You could expect the cost to be anywhere between £30-£60 per m2. Your best bet is to get in touch with a specialist rendering and external facade contractor. If you need names of local installers give us a shout.
Can you recommend any brick slip contractors in and around cambridge