| Facade | External wall insulation |

External Wall Insulation

System Guide
Combining form and function.
In a typical dwelling, around 30 % of the energy used to heat or
cool a room is wasted due to poorly insulated walls.

Sto external wall insulation systems dramatically cut energy loss by

wrapping the building in a thermally resistant envelope, helping
to reduce energy bills and CO2 emissions. They also provide lasting
protection for the entire fabric of the building.

External wall insulation systems embody our belief in

‘Building with conscience’.

Performance is just part of the story. Sto systems can be finished

in a wide range of colours and textures using our classic Sto
renders, and combined with Sto facade embellishments for almost
unlimited creativity.

Cover Image: Endike School, Installed by SCS Render Systems Ltd (www.scs-group-uk.com)
External wall insulation system guide | 3
External Wall Insulation Systems
The importance of well-insulated buildings.

In recent years there has been Heat transfer through a wall is

a huge increase in social and known as thermal transmittance
political pressure to minimise and measured using U-values.
unnecessary energy consumption. The materials used, number of
Diminishing fossil fuels and windows and doors, just about
rapidly increasing energy bills are everything involved in the
a cause for concern around the construction of a building, has a
world. direct impact upon heat loss
and heat gain. The UK Building
Heating and cooling buildings is a Regulations provide maximum
considerable cost for both domestic U-values across the UK and Eire.
and commercial property owners.
Significant, ongoing savings can There are 3 typical approaches to
be made if the entire building is insulating walls: internal, cavity and
insulated properly. Sto has a market- external wall insulation. Sto has
leading range of external wall always maintained that the best
insulation (EWI) systems to help possible building performance can
reduce energy consumption and only be realised if walls are
energy costs. externally insulated.

System characteristics
System Impact resistance Flexibility Fire resistance 1 Cost

External wall StoTherm Classic

insulation systems
StoTherm Mineral

StoTherm Vario

Rainscreen cladding StoVentec R

1
Fire performance is dependent on selected insulation and finishes Minimum Medium Maximum

4 | External wall insulation system guide

Substrate requirements
Substrate quality

System Fixing method Fair-face tolerance Curved substrate Sound substrate Friable and
unreliable

Adhesive fix < 1 cm

StoTherm Classic,
StoTherm Mineral Mechanical fix (rail) < 3 cm
& StoTherm Vario
Mechanical fix (Sto Rotofix) < 5 cm

StoVentec R Adjustable sub-construction 4-40 cm

Unsuitable Not ideal Suitable

External wall insulation system guide | 5

Design options
Quality render finishes for creative designs.

Sto believes that there is no reason why choosing an

external wall insulation system should limit your creativity.
StoTherm and StoVentec systems offer the architect a
diverse palette of creative options.

StoTherm and StoVentec systems are compatible with our range

of innovative, through-coloured, thin coat renders, including the
Lotus-Effect® water and dirt repellent render.

Sto renders are available in a range of grain sizes and textures.

Up to 800 colours are available, depending on the finish, and can
be combined with Sto embellishments, panel systems and special
effect techniques to create striking designs.

Available render finishes

Stolit StoSuperlit StoSilco StoLotusan
Acrylic render Exposed natural stone Silicone resin render Lotus-Effect® render

Colour range Full range (800) StoSuperlit range (25) Silicone range (618) StoLotusan range (590)

Finishes available Stippled / Rilled / Freestyle Exposed Aggregate Stippled / Rilled / Freestyle Stippled / Freestyle

Grain sizes available (mm) 1.5 / 2 / 3 / 6 2 1.5 / 2 / 3 1.5 / 2 / 3

Vapour permeability

Water repellence

Flexibility

Maximum Medium Minimum

6 | External wall insulation system guide

All Sto renders can be enhanced with iQ - Intelligent
Technology - façade paints from Sto. These innovative
façade paints don’t just add colour, they also provide
protection from a variety of stresses and influences, such
as the weather, age, wear and UV radiation.

External wall insulation system guide | 7

Decorative embellishments
More than just render.

Surface detailing is not always a creative consideration.

Planning authorities can insist that the architectural
design of new projects should match the appearance of
existing buildings in the surrounding area. How can this
be reconciled with the need to meet thermal insulation
requirements using external wall insulation systems?

In the UK and Ireland, brick and stone facades are commonplace.

Sto offers a full range of decorative embellishments that are
in-keeping with the surroundings, and are compatible with Sto
external wall insulation systems.

But these products are not limited to replicating existing

details. Shape, size, texture and colour choice can be custom
manufactured, allowing the flexibility to realise some truly
inspiring designs.

Embellishment options by system

System Deco Profiles Brick Slips Natural Stone Rustications Ashlar Grooves Panels/Grid

StoTherm Classic

StoTherm Mineral

StoTherm Vario

StoVentec R

Unsuitable Not ideal Suitable

8 | External wall insulation system guide

Sto Brick Slips
Manufactured from acrylic render, Sto Brick Slips can be custom
made in any of the 800 colours of the StoColor System, and in
a range of sizes and textures. They can also be custom made to
match existing brickwork.

StoDeco Profiles
Whether you are replicating the profiles on a renovation project,
or looking to create a contemporary, modern look, StoDeco
Profiles are the ideal option to meet your requirements.

Made from Verolith, a lightweight, long-lasting material that is

easy to form, StoDeco Profiles can be manufactured to individual
specifications, including logos and other custom-created shapes.

External wall insulation system guide | 9

StoTherm Classic
The original EPS insulation system.

Over 50 years of development and carefully

chosen components have made StoTherm
Classic a durable, functional and versatile
choice for meeting and exceeding building
insulation requirements.

StoTherm Classic is available in two fixing methods

for a variety of substrates:
StoTherm Classic K Adhesive fixing for fast and
easy installation.
StoTherm Classic M Sto Rotofix or mechanical rail
fixing to overcome surface irregularities.

Design
• Extremely flexible, making it ideal for curved
structures.
• Compatible with all Sto renders, Sto Brick Slips
and StoDeco Profiles.
• Can provide a seamless rendered facade.

Performance
• Entirely cement-free system makes
StoTherm Classic highly resistant to cracking.
• Up to 10 times more impact resistant than
cementitious systems.
• Excellent thermal insulation.
• Allows for the maximum use of internal space.
• Protects the external wall from weathering.
• Lightweight system for easy installation.

Technical
• BBA certification No. 95/3132
• European Technical Approval ETA-09/0058

10 | External wall insulation system guide

 1. Substrate
2. Adhesive coat / mechanical rail system
3. Expanded polystyrene insulation board
4. Cement-free reinforcing coat
5. Reinforcing mesh
6. Decorative render finish

1 2 3 4 5 6

External wall insulation system guide | 11

StoTherm Mineral
Mineralic insulation system for extra fire security.

A mineralic insulation system built up of

mineral fibre insulation boards or lamella
strips for trusted fire protection.

StoTherm Mineral is available in three fixing

methods:
StoTherm Mineral K Adhesive and dowel fixing
of mineral fibre insulation board.
StoTherm Mineral M Sto Rotofix or mechanical
rail fixing to overcome surface irregularities.
StoTherm Mineral L Adhesive fixing of mineral
fibre lamella strips.

Design
• Curves can be accomodated.
• Suited for Sto synthetic render finishes and
StoDeco Profiles. Mineralic renders and
Sto Brick Slips can also be used if required.
• Can provide a seamless rendered facade.

Performance
• Mineral fibre and mineralic render provide
unrivalled fire protection.
• Excellent thermal insulation.
• Allows for the maximum use of internal space.
• Protects the external wall from weathering.
• The dense construction materials provide
improved sound insulation.

Technical
• BBA certification No. 95/3132
• European Technical Approval ETA-07/0023

12 | External wall insulation system guide

 1. Substrate
2. Adhesive mortar
3. Mineral fibre board
4. Fixing dowel
5. Mineralic reinforcing coat
6. Glass fibre reinforcing mesh
7. Primer and decorative render finish

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

External wall insulation system guide | 13

StoTherm Vario
Insulation essentials.

The cost-effective, expanded polystyrene

insulation system with cement-based
reinforcement and a selection of finishes.
Suitable for a diverse range of substrates,
including brick and blockwork, concrete,
cement and panels.

StoTherm Vario is available in two fixing methods:

StoTherm Vario K adhesive fixing with dowels.
StoTherm Vario M Sto Rotofix or mechanical rail
fixing to overcome surface irregularities.

Design
• Curves can be easily accomodated.
• Ideally suited for Sto mineralic render finishes
and StoDeco Profiles. Synthetic renders and
Sto Brick Slips can also be used if required.
• Can provide a seamless rendered facade.

Performance
• Excellent thermal insulation.
• Allows for the maximum use of internal space.
• Protects the external wall from weathering.
• Mineralic render products provide increased fire
protection.

Technical
• BBA certification No. 95/3132
• BR135 assessment available
• European Technical Approval ETA-06/0107

14 | External wall insulation system guide

 1. Substrate
2. Adhesive mortar
3. Expanded polystyrene insulation board
4. Reinforcing coat
5. Glass fibre reinforcing mesh
6. Intermediate priming coat
7. Decorative render finish

12 3 4 5 6 7

External wall insulation system guide | 15

StoVentec R
Ventilated rainscreen technology for limitless design.

A ventilated, insulated and seamless

rainscreen cladding system that allows
for the greatest freedom of design – from Sto
render finishes in any colour or shade, to a
wide range of panellised surfaces.

Design
• The unique recycled-glass carrier board is fully
compatible with Sto flexible renders and
stone or glass panel finishes.
• The ventilated cavity allows even the darkest
colours to be used, including black.
• Curves and shapes are easily formed.

Performance
• Ventilated, drained cavity ensures the wall
remains dry and breathes.
• Adjustable sub-construction can overcome
large surface irregularities and provides a true
and plumb surface.
• Reinforced carrier board provides exceptional
impact resistance.
• Dimensionally stable carrier board provides
superior performance to alternative carrier
boards.

Technical
• BBA certification No. 10/4792

16 | External wall insulation system guide

 1. Substrate
2. Mineral fibre insulation board
3. Timber or aluminium sub-construction
4. Carrier board
5. Cement-free reinforcing coat
6. Glass fibre reinforcing mesh
7. Decorative render finish

1 2 34 5 6 7

External wall insulation system guide | 17

Insulation Glossary
Understanding insulation systems.

Building insulation methods

Internal
Internal
Internal
Wall
Wall
Wall
Insulation
Insulation
Insulation Cavity
Cavity
CavityWall
Wall
WallInsulation
Insulation
Insulation External
External
ExternalWall
Wall
WallInsulation
Insulation
Insulation

Interior
Interior
Interior Facade
Facade
Facade Interior
Interior
Interior Facade
Facade
Facade Interior
Interior
Interior Facade
Facade
Facade

• Rooms can be heated quickly. • One of the most common • Structural wall is warm and dry,
• Added insulation thickness reduces building insulation methods. increasing thermal performance
the internal room dimensions. • Cavity construction is expensive and reducing building
• Structural wall is cold and and time consuming. maintenance.
potentially damp, increasing the • Thicker wall construction reduces • Removal of cold bridges reduces
risk of condensation and the internal room dimensions. the risk of condensation, damp and
freeze/thaw damage. • Limits options for thermal mould.
• Installation is disruptive for upgrades in the future. • The heat retention capability of the
building occupants. • Outer leaf construction isn’t existing wall is fully utilised.
• Exposure to cold bridges, resulting insulated or protected, increasing • Lightweight construction methods
in condensation, damp and mould. the risk of condensation and can be used, allowing for fast
• Risk of interstitial condensation. freeze/thaw damage. installation.
• Interstitial condensation can be
eliminated, irrespective of climate
conditions.
• Eliminates cracking caused by
thermal expansion and contraction,
even in mixed blockwork.

18 | External wall insulation system guide

Key insulation terms
Cold Bridge Building regulations
Wherever a building element crosses In the UK and Ireland, ongoing
through an externally-facing wall efforts to limit the use of natural fuel
(e.g. floor and ceiling joints; door resources have been implemented
and window frames) heat can through the UK Building Regulations.
escape through the element. This As part of the assessment, the
is especially a problem in concrete Regulations specify maximum
and steel framed buildings. Where U-Values for new buildings and these
the temperature of the surface values are different across the United
falls below the condensation point Kingdom and Ireland.
of the surrounding air, this can
lead to condensation and mould Sto external wall insulation systems
growth inside the building, which is already meet or exceed the standards
harmful to the health of the building required by the UK Building
occupants. Regulations.

Cold Spot
Any part of an exterior-facing surface
with a significantly lower thermal
resistance than the surrounding area.
This can lead to a blotchy appearance
on a facade, particularly early in the
morning.

U-Values
A calculation to determine how
much thermal energy in Watts (W)
is transported through a building
material with the size of 1m² at a
temperature difference of 1 Kelvin.
The unit of measurement for
U-values is W/(m²K). Achieving low
U-values reduces the energy used
to heat a building, which reduces
energy bills and contributes towards
saving energy. U-Values are measured
in accordance with BS EN ISO
6946:1997.

External wall insulation system guide | 19

Head Office
Sto Ltd.
2 Gordon Avenue
Hillington Park
Glasgow
G52 4TG
Tel +44 (0)141 892 8000
Fax +44 (0)141 404 9001
[email protected]
www.sto.co.uk

Midlands Training & Distribution Centre

Sto Ltd.
Unit 700
Catesby Park
Kings Norton
Birmingham
B38 8SE
Tel +44 (0)141 892 8000

Ireland Office & Distribution Centre

Sto Ltd.
E7 Riverview Business Park
Art.-No. 09661-203 Rev.-No. 26/04.18 Printed in the UK

Nangor Road
Clondalkin
Dublin 12
Tel +353 (0)1460 2305
Fax +353 (0)1460 2455
[email protected]
www.sto.ie