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Processing/practical tips

Processing is easy. The material can be shaped by cutting or sawing. Particularly with thicker layers of insulation, cutting with professional tools (thermal saw) yields more accurate results (for exact butt joints).

Matched system components to the producer's specifications must be used.

For composite thermal insulation systems the panels are bonded onto the substrate of the outside wall. The adhesive is applied either with a combination of edge beads and dots, or all over with a serrated trowel, and the panels are bonded with offset butt joints.

A video on installing a composite thermal insulation system with EPS panels:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBcMktICxp8

The panels are then secured with suitable dowels (at least 6 dowels per m², but not more than 12).

Dowels must be distributed evenly (so many per m²). They are fastened through the adhesive or very close to the adhesive. Depending on the type of insulation material used, specific dowel arrangements apply.

Dowel arrangements for EPS panels. Above: T arrangement; below: W arrangement; both: 6 dowels/m² (source: Sto SE & Co. KGaA)

Arranging panels so that the corners of openings in masonry are in the middle of a panel is recommended:

Arrangement of panels at corners of openings

A video on precision cutting insulation panels in a window reveal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-peFBssdUo

A video on cutting insulation panels flushly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SYJOkULm88

Butt and wall joints are grouted with reinforcement fabric strips and adhesive, and sealed, after which plaster can be applied.

For several other areas of application, such as insulating flat roofs, beneath floor slabs or for screeds, the panels are laid, to some extent in more than one layer (if the panels are of the same kind), either offset or dovetailed.