What are the best prices for (EWI) EPS insulation at the moment?

[oranjeboom]

It's been a while since I ordered any insulation, but now I am starting to look at fitting EWI. I was thinking about having it supplied and fitted by a 'professional' but due to budget and the horror stories about EWI failures, I shall be fitting it myself (and getting it rendered by a pro) instead.

 

I had a quote a few years back from EWIstore and prices have spiked significantly...  So, where do people source their EPS these days?

 

Any decent sources for beading, mesh, render?

 

I've started googling and compiling a list of prices....but it's not looking budget friendly so far! And the Iranian 'thing' won't be helping soon either...

[Redbeard]

Beading, mesh, render I'd normally have said EWIstore...

 

Do you feel they are expensive for those as well as for EPS?

 

Obviously let us know, please, if you find somewhere cheaper.

[Onoff]

There was a chap on here, down in Deal from memory, went on a course then did his own EWI.

 

He offered for me to go down and take a look but I never did.

 

Can't recall his username...

[oranjeboom]

On 13/03/2026 at 22:57, Onoff said:

There was a chap on here, down in Deal from memory, went on a course then did his own EWI.

 

He offered for me to go down and take a look but I never did.

 

Can't recall his username...

Yes, I recall that too...

 

I think I'm up to sticking the EPS onto wall, just don't trust myself with the render job. Let's see what 'professionals' I get through the gate to quote me first though...may do that EWI course after all!

 

On 13/03/2026 at 20:46, Redbeard said:

Beading, mesh, render I'd normally have said EWIstore...

 

Do you feel they are expensive for those as well as for EPS?

 

Obviously let us know, please, if you find somewhere cheaper.

 

Not looked elsewhere for that just yet. Did think about popping across the channel possibly for those bits if it appears pricey here though. Will let you know

[Onoff]

It was @MarkyP I believe. He still looks in on here I think:

 

[MarkyP]

hello folks, yes it was me that has talked about my EWI on here over the years. I did post a thread on the greenbuilding forum during my install which might be worth a look : https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=15355&page=1

 

and worth searching for "EWI" over there as has been discussed in huge depth over the years.

 

I cant offer advice on costs as mine was nine or so years ago but it was much cheaper self installing the insulation as it was then a straight forward render job which most pros will quote on a per m2 basis. I can offer a few pointers:

 

1. EPS can be sourced from major insulation merchants. Go for graphite enhanced EWI grade EPS (the grey stuff). It's cut from aged EPS blocks so more dimensionally stable and has a slightly better r-value than white EPS. Kaycel was the reputable brand when I did my project, Baumit also sell their own. Lots of other places sell it, EWI store I think sells generic stuff but could probably tell you the provenance.

 

2. I used Baumit render and also their beads, fixings and mesh, it was all good quality stuff. The render (star contact white) is also used as the board adhesive. For the fixings ideally go for recessed ones (see my GBF post) as these are much neater and dont cold bridge the insulation. I would do both adhesive and mechanical fixings. 

 

3. I got my specliast EWI beads such as for frameseal beads for window reveals (great, highly recommend) and starter tracks were from Wemico. If you need a starter track, go for plastic not metal as it is a nasty cold bridge.

 

4. I took my EWI right down below DPC to the top of footing. You dont need a DPC in EWI, I put a step detail in for aesthetics and also timing as I did the main elevations and then the below DPC bit about 4 years later. But you could have a contiunous run of insulation from the top of the footing to the eaves.

 

if you have any questions, happy to help, DM me or I can reply here. 

 

Installing the EWI is fairly straight forward for a competent DIY'er. You won't need a course. It needs to be nice and flat and the boards need to be tight, any gaps can be filled with foam (not adhesive as this will cold bridge). You'll probably do a better job that most professionals as often the insulation gets put on with gaps and bodges in the knowledge it will all be covered in render. Not all renderers have done EWI installation but will be able render over it if you DIY install it, the basecoat/thincoat systems are the same over block work as over EWI. I used a pro to render and he was very happy with the flatness of the boards (I think he was expecting a bodge up).

 

Also I recommend the mineralic silicate thincoat renders (not acrylic or silicone as these can looks a bt plasticky). Also I found the smaller grain size looked smarter, again the large grain size can look a bit cheap IMO. Baumit did a 1mm grain, standard is more like 2/3mm.

 

EWI is great, it made the most incredible difference to the house.