Installing Mineral Wool EWI in Partnership with North Herts
Pyramid Eco installed external wall insulation on a property in Hitchin in collaboration with North Herts.
The project involved upgrading the home’s external walls with a mineral wool insulation system to improve thermal performance, appearance, and long-term compliance. The installation was completed in just under two weeks, helped by favourable weather conditions.
The resident was pleased with the final appearance of the property and noticed the home felt cooler during warmer weather
Project Snapshot:
Location: Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Property Type: Residential home
Client: Resident/homeowner
Purpose: Improve energy efficiency, comfort, and external appearance
Solution: External wall insulation with ventilation upgrades
System: Mineral wool external wall insulation
Funding: Warm Homes: Local Grant
Delivered under: North Hertfordshire District Council scheme
The Challenge
This was a relatively straightforward external wall insulation project, but several details still needed careful management.
The window-sill detailing required close attention to ensure the system was completed correctly and remained watertight. The canopy also needed to be carefully reinstated so the finished property stayed as close as possible to its original appearance.
Pyramid Eco kept the resident informed throughout the work, explaining each stage of the installation and when it would take place.
Why Pyramid Eco?
The project required an installer who could deliver the external wall insulation to a high standard while protecting the resident experience throughout. Pyramid Eco brought the technical knowledge, retrofit experience, and communication needed to complete the work efficiently and professionally.
Mineral Wool as Standard
Pyramid Eco uses mineral wool external wall insulation because it is an A1 fire-rated system. This helps keep homes ahead of possible future regulatory changes and gives residents greater long-term confidence.
Careful Finishing
The window sills and canopy required careful detailing to maintain water-tightness and preserve the property’s original appearance.
Ventilation Upgrades
As part of the project, internal ventilation was upgraded. This helped support the wider retrofit and ensure the property could perform properly after the external wall insulation was installed.
Resident Communication
Pyramid Eco kept the resident informed throughout the project. Clear communication helped minimise disruption and gave the resident confidence at each stage.
Related: External Wall Insulation Cost Guide
Our Approach: A Mineral Wool External Wall Insulation System
Pyramid Eco installed a mineral wool external wall insulation system to improve the property’s comfort, performance, and appearance. Mineral wool was chosen because it provides an A1 fire-rated system. While other properties in the area may have been insulated using EPS, Pyramid Eco’s approach is to stay ahead of the curve by using a fire-rated system that supports future compliance.
System: Mineral wool external wall insulation
Fire Rating: A1 fire-rated system
Timeline: Just under two weeks
Additional Works: Ventilation upgrades
Key Detailing: Window sills and canopy reinstatement.
The team completed the work efficiently, helped by suitable weather conditions. Internal disruption was limited to the ventilation upgrade, which required installing fans inside the property.
Related: Why Pyramid Eco Is Saying Goodbye to EPS Insulation
Overcoming Key Challenges
- Window Sill Detailing
The window sills needed careful finishing to protect the water-tightness of the system. This detail was managed as part of the external wall insulation installation.
- Canopy Reinstatement
The canopy created another practical challenge. Pyramid Eco worked to reinstate it in a way that looked as close to the original property as possible.
- Internal Ventilation Works
The main internal disruption came from the ventilation upgrade. Fans had to be installed inside the house, but the disruption was limited and managed clearly with the resident.
- Keeping the Resident Informed
The project was completed in just under two weeks. Pyramid Eco kept the resident updated stage by stage, explaining what was happening and when.
Results and Benefits
The project improved the property’s appearance and comfort. The resident was pleased with how the finished home looked and noticed that the house felt cooler during warm weather.
Key Outcomes:
- Improved external appearance of the property
- Mineral wool external wall insulation installed
- A1 fire-rated system used for long-term confidence
- Home felt cooler during warmer weather
- Ventilation upgraded as part of the works
- Window sill and canopy detailing completed carefully
- Project completed in just under two weeks
- Limited disruption to the resident.
Client Satisfaction
The resident was pleased with the finished result, particularly the property’s appearance. The home felt cooler during warm weather after installation, demonstrating the comfort benefits that external wall insulation can provide beyond winter heat retention.
Planning External Wall Insulation for Similar Properties?
External wall insulation is not just about improving thermal performance. Details such as window sills, canopies, ventilation, and the final finish all affect the quality of the result.
Pyramid Eco manages these details carefully, helping local authorities, housing providers, and homeowners deliver compliant upgrades with minimal disruption to residents.
Inspected by the System Manufacturer
Most installers certify their own work. On this project the manufacturer of the system came out and checked it. In the video above, Michael Zohouri walks the finished property, and then Ryan from Saint-Gobain Exterior Solutions, who make the external wall insulation system used here, inspects the workmanship and explains what he looks for on a job like this.
For local authorities and housing associations, that distinction matters. Independent inspection by the people who manufacture the system is a stronger assurance than a contractor signing off their own installation.
