External wall insulation adds an insulation layer outside the existing wall with a protective finish. A decorative render or spray-cork finish alone is a different specification.
ETICS means external thermal insulation composite system. The design coordinates insulation boards, adhesive, fixings where specified, reinforcement, basecoat and finish with the existing wall. Product compatibility and installation details matter as much as the visible surface.
ECOPROCORK supplies natural cork insulation boards and related components. Confirm current availability and the complete supported specification with the team. A pack of boards or a list of compatible ingredients does not establish a certified complete system.
SLICS™ provides a spray-applied cork route for suitable prepared exterior surfaces. A thin cork coating adds limited thermal resistance; it should not be sold as equivalent to a thick external insulation layer.
See the illustrated SLICS™ and cork-board build-ups. The drawings are schematic and the thermal examples are qualified estimates, not certified U-values for your property. Use the render and system comparison to separate finish choices from insulation choices.
Check existing render or masonry, adhesion, cracks, moisture sources, rain exposure and necessary repairs. Plan window and door reveals, sills, eaves, roof edges, plinths, pipes and service penetrations. Avoid details that admit or trap water.
Review fire performance for the proposed complete construction, building type and use. A reaction-to-fire result for an individual coating does not establish the classification of a board-and-render wall system.
Ask for the insulation thickness, exact conductivity data and a project calculation for the complete wall. Moisture behaviour and thermal bridges also need assessment. Do not infer an energy-saving percentage or EPC change from a material test.
External work can alter appearance and site boundaries. Ask the project team about applicable permissions and requirements, particularly for protected buildings. A quote should state access, repairs, components, detailing, finishing, quality checks and maintenance; board-only prices are not installed system prices.
Share photographs of every elevation, your postcode, wall construction, existing finish and project objectives. For solid masonry, compare internal and external solid-wall options. If the facade cannot change, consider the internal-wall route.
Request specification support for housing or commercial work, or find an applicator for an assessed cork project. Confirm installer capability and availability for the proposed scope.
General planning guidance reviewed 16 October 2026. See Energy Saving Trust: solid-wall insulation and Historic England: energy efficiency and retrofit. These independent sources explain general principles; they do not approve an ECOPROCORK system.