External insulation - query re plinth

heinbloed wrote: »

As long as a denser insulation material is used for the plint we can assume that this denser material isn't insulating as good as the lighter material.

One needs the specifications.

With the OP's pictures we can see that below the 10cm EWI there is a much thinner plint visible. Already covered with the final layer of facing stones.

So this part of the wall made with the "denser" material will hardly match the thermal insulation properties of the rest of the wall. A clear thermal gap, dampness in the structure to be expected for sure.

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Here some more pictures from Moskow. Mineral fibre boards in full blaze. Protected against water ingress with metal boards -what a bright idea. It reminds me on the new Cork University Hospital where a similar facade system was installed.

http://izismile.com/2009/08/10/fire_in_a_freshly_constructed_apartment_building_24_pics.html

In the USA they try to protect timber frame homes with clay-boards:

http://claylath.com/2009/08/american-wooden-house-with-fire-protection-by-clay-lath.html

Some cowboys (here in Ireland) clad timber frame homes with EPS. So be carefull.

dont get why u are scaring people into thinking the insulation in their house will suddenly burst into flame. i would like you to know that fire regualtions are made to save people not buildings! even the best materials will eventually burn up, what is important is that enough time is granted to people to escape the building in case of a fire. i extremely doubt that a hospital would have been built without following building regulations.

as to the denser/lighter insulation, you should have read all the words.. the key being more efficient. the performance of insulation is calculated depending on its lambda value, W/mK, the lower the better over the thickness
ex:
concrete blocks 0.57
glass fibre quilt insulation 0.040
polyurethane boards 0.023

so for example 100mm of EPS insulation will give you the same effect as 60mm of foil faced thermoset resin board

This does not mean that i think a highly efficient slimmer insulation was used on the plinth in this case, without actually removing the stone facing and checking, I was talking as to what's the general practice for externally insulating walls