The performance of an EWI (external wall insulation) system or ETICS (external thermal insulation composite system) will only ever be as good as its component parts. A weak link in the system build-up will not only undermine its promise to improve the thermal performance of a property, but it could add complexity and hassle to the installation process, resulting in additional time costs for contractors.
Advanced fixing solutions, therefore, have a crucial role to play, and EJOT has offered a range of innovative anchors – tube-washer and screw combinations – for many years. But anchors are just one of the components which contribute to efficient installation and performance of the system.
Hence why EJOT offers similarly innovative ancillary products, such as fixing components for safely and securely mounting external elements including handrail and downpipe brackets onto the façade.
Latest developments offer that could be a game-changer in terms of how EWI components are sourced. By extending the EJOT Pro-Line range of profiles, EWI system providers can now source their complete suite of fixing and attachment components from a single supplier. That brings a host of benefits as a number of systems companies are already realising.
Improving performance of the system
EJOT’s solutions are designed to optimise the performance of the EWI system and ensure everyone in the supply chain maximises the benefits of technically advanced products. These include reducing thermal bridging – a common issue for wall insulation systems which can also result in dampness and mould growth on internal surfaces.
Thermal bridges can occur in many areas of the system’s construction, with anchors and edge profiles being particularly vulnerable points. Hence why EJOT’s R&D team has focused on creating products that address these risks, including through manufacturing all our profiles in PVC rather than aluminium, and the development of a new patent pending PVC base ‘high load’ profile. This features a hollow chamber design to reduce thermal transfer, whilst also offering increased rigidity.
In addition, Pro-Line profiles enable precise edge formation and help to permanently drive rain away from the building and are also designed to compensate for movement where applicable, such as around doors and windows, to prevent cracks developing over time.
The Pro-Line range of profiles not only complements EJOT’s established anchoring products, including external attachment components. These are designed to allow planned external attachments to be integrated within the EWI system and enable external elements to be retrofitted as required, without compromising system performance.
The EJOT ETICS range is also supported with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to provide quantified data on its environmental impacts. This maximises transparency for specifiers and enables informed whole life cycle management decisions to be made when selecting systems for EWI or ETICS projects.
Process optimisation and streamlined supply chain
For ETICS or EWI system providers, EJOT UK can effectively become a ‘one-stop shop’, meaning they do not have to rely on multiple suppliers, often with their own payment terms and lead times. This delivers operational benefits in terms of the efficiency of ordering, delivery and invoicing processes, easing the pressure on staff resources and reducing volumes of paperwork and waste.
The process optimisation possible through single-sourcing encompasses other environmental advantages too. For example, EJOT can deliver the complete suite of EWI components and profiles on a single vehicle making one journey, reducing deliveries to site. This reduces the impact of site operations in local communities and enables the carbon footprint of the EWI supply chain to be minimised.
Helping installers achieve higher quality
EJOT also ensures installers are comprehensively supported to work more efficiently and achieve better quality consistency through a 360 degree service. This involves technical consultants providing on site services covering the three product segments – anchors, profiles and mounting elements – to help installers achieve the optimum results.
For ETICS anchors, EJOT provides pull-out tests on-site and a digital product configurator to assist at the specification stage. This also helps the deployment of EJOT’s ETICS mounting elements, with additional support provided for pre-dimensioning, and for profiles, technical consultants carry out adhesive tests on-site, helping installers get it right first time and deliver a quality installation for clients.
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