Efficient energy thermal insulation façade systems for optimal savings and flexibility in architectural design

The energy consumption matter for the building sector has come up again urgently looking for standards, measures, policies and best practices. That is because building sector have direct impact both on energy consumption and environment (cooling, heating, raw materials for construction, consumption of natural sources-water, fossil fuels and emissions of harmful substances). Buildings are responsible for the approximately 40% of the primary energy consumption in EU (164 millions buildings in EU- 15, 193 millions in EU-25) and for about 50% of CO2 emissions. Given the lifetime of buildings and the large number of existing buildings it is clear that the largest potential for improving the energy performance of buildings and creating ecologically sound and pleasant human environment in short time is in the existing building sector. Building refurbishment costs much less than demolition and reconstruction plus protects the architectural heritage. Building refurbishment with thermal insulation faade systems provide the main thermal protection of the building envelop, given the fact that this is the major thermal bridge to the environment. The building envelop has to provide the requirements of static and stability, thermal insulation, noise, moisture and fire protection, plus protection from the weather conditions. These requirements plus a vast architectural flexibility and freedom in design can be acquired by an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS), provided that this system is certified and standardized. An ETICS is composed by multiple layers: the insulation material (commonly consisting of boards of expanded polystyrene or mineral wool while the thickness varies accordingly to the average air temperature difference between inside and outside building i.e. geographical location, climatic conditions, HDD) the fixing on the substrate, the reinforcing intermediate coating (intermediate plasterand reinforcement mesh) and a variety of decorative finish coatings. A quick review of the advantages of ETICS: Energy saving up to 60% on existing buildings, reduction of emissions, important influence on the microclimate, elimination of thermal bridges, faade protection, easy, quick application, cost worthy investment, long term durability.