External Wall Cladding

After last week's post reaching over 40,000 impressions on LinkedIn, over 100 comments, and lots of direct messages it seems I've stumbled on a hot topic.

This week's photos are below with some thermal imaging.

The first thing that caught my attention was the quality of the workmanship. That's the first red flag, then the detailing and future problems become a real test for the conscious mind. #Architect #design #sustainability

So many questions and such detailing could have been avoided. Across the town and on many streets sadly this is becoming the normal. Brick buildings are covered in insulation and then rendered. Problem after problem around downpipes, gas metre boxes, gas supply pipes, air bricks, extraction fans, internet boxes, and openable windows. The list is endless.

I am not saying external wall insulation shouldn't be considered but have all the options been considered and benefits. Internal wall insulation does reduce the room size slightly it's more challenging when the building is occupied but aesthetically and practically an option that could be considered.

With projecting out from the existing wall the eaves and soffit become another weak spot. The climate in the UK is cold at times but the moisture and precipitation mean than water should be projected. Walls should also be allowed to breathe and dry out. The Victorian sandstone stills shaped and projected allow runoff. Roofing tiles also can be used to project the water. Sloped bricks laid in a soldier course had the same result. Yet here were found wet render pooling and dribbling down the new render. I can only imagine that over time with cold bridging, moisture between the brickwork and insulation, and limited internal ventilation it will encourage dampness internally.

Rendered buildings look sharp and crisp in drier warmer climates but I am afraid on this cold, wet windy night these materials and systems should questioned.