Interviews
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12/14/2023
Hail-resistant external insulation systems
Extreme weather conditions: the importance of preventive measures
We are experiencing an increase in the frequency of extremely serious natural calamities, such as flooding, hail storms, fires and whirlwinds. Mapei thermal insulation systems can contribute to make homes more energy efficient reducing their energy needs and, as a result, the emission of climate-changing substances.
We are experiencing an increase in the frequency of extremely serious natural calamities, such as flooding, hail storms, fires and whirlwinds. This just goes to confirm the importance of continuing with the decisive and mandatory actions undertaken by the European Union: to make homes more energy efficient in order to drastically reduce their energy needs and, as a result, the emission of climate-changing substances.
Worth remembering are the European Union Directives that have imposed a target to reduce, by 2030, the emission of climate-altering gases by 55% (with respect to 1990 levels), and that all homes, with a few exceptions, must have at least an E energy rating by 2030 and, by 2033, at least a D rating.
The paradoxical situation we are currently witnessing is that, while we are busy making our building stock more efficient – including through targeted grants and incentives – atmospheric events are damaging remedial work that has just been carried out or that is currently ongoing. In the case of external insulation systems, if they comply with all the relative criteria, which means using certified systems installed correctly by specialized installers, they can withstand quite strong hailstorms.
"If external insulation systems comply with all the relative criteria, they can withstand quite strong hailstorms"
What impact resistance categories are adopted for external thermal insulation systems?
ETA certification for external thermal insulation systems (according to the European Assessment Document 040083-00-0404) contains the values obtained by testing their resistance to impact by a hard body (EN ISO 7892 test method).
To achieve the best impact resistance - category I, the external insulation system must be able to withstand an impact of 10 J without being damaged. Traditional external insulation systems are generally category II: no deterioration following an impact of 3 J, but surface damage following an impact of 10 J.
Eventi atmosferici di forte entità possono causare danni ai cappotti termici.
Does Mapei offer external insulation systems that are more resistant than traditional systems?
Thanks to the research and technological developments carried out by Mapei, external insulation systems have been created that achieve the highest impact resistance category (I), including with extreme impacts:
- 10 J impact: traditional system finished off with ELASTOCOLOR TONACHINO PLUS textured coating;
- 15 J impact: reinforced skim coat of MAPETHERM FLEX RP elastic skimming paste and any of the Mapei range of textured finishes;
- 100 J impact: reinforced skim coat of three layers of MAPETHERM FLEX RP elastic skimming paste interposed with a double layer of MAPETHERM NET mesh finished off with ELASTOCOLOR TONACHINO PLUS textured coating.
This latter system can even withstand the impact of hailstones as large as tennis balls or, to be more precise, class H5-H8 according to the incidence of various meteorological factors on the TORRO scale (international hail classification system).
Is it possible to improve the resistance of an existing external insulation system?
Absolutely, the performance properties mentioned above can be achieved by restoring a damaged external insulation system or by doubling the existing system. These solutions combine performance, durability and sustainability, while preventing or repairing damage caused by even the most extreme weather conditions.
Is it very expensive to install this type of external insulation system?
You may be surprised how low, from a financial perspective, the expenditure can be to install these systems that increase impact resistance by up to 30 times compared with a traditional system. To get an idea, you can ask for a quote from one of our specialised distributors or through our network of agents and technical service teams.
