EPS insulation · Scotland
EPS external wall insulation in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Homes and buildings across Edinburgh and the Lothians — from Edinburgh to Musselburgh — can get a free survey and written quote for EPS external wall insulation. We compare EPS against mineral wool for each Edinburgh and the Lothians enquiry rather than assuming one board suits every wall.
- Free survey and fixed written price
- Guide price from £105 per m² + scaffold, 0% VAT
- Planning and building control checked for Scotland
Free survey in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
Included as standard
- Grey graphite EPS reaches a given U-value with a thinner board
- Finished in silicone, acrylic, mineral render or brick slip
- Used on low-rise houses; combustible, so not for taller buildings
- Easy to shape around bays, arches and reveals
- Thermal conductivity around 0.031–0.038 W/mK depending on grade
Edinburgh and the Lothians: walls, weather and approvals
East Central Scotland mixes stone tenements and terraces with post-war council housing and harled bungalows and semis.
Exposure to wind-driven rain varies across Edinburgh and the Lothians: sheltered town streets fare better than walls on high ground or facing the prevailing weather, and the render, beads and cill details are chosen with that in mind.
EPS is a common choice for two-storey houses, mainly on cost and weight, and we price it alongside mineral wool for homes in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Region
- East Central Scotland
- Towns covered
- Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate
- Guide price
- From £105 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Planning and building control in Scotland
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent. Ask your council's planning team before committing.
Work that alters an external wall's construction is covered by the building standards system; many over-cladding projects need a building warrant from the council's building standards team, and Section 6 (Energy) of the Technical Handbooks sets insulation benchmarks.
What is EPS insulation?
Expanded polystyrene is a closed-cell foam made from beads that are expanded and moulded into boards. White EPS is the standard grade; grey EPS has graphite added, which reflects radiant heat and improves performance by roughly 15–20%, so a thinner board does the same job. Both are used inside certified render systems where the board, adhesive, fixings, mesh and finish are tested together by the manufacturer.
EPS external wall insulation prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians
| Item | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EPS + silicone render | £105–£145 per m²0% VAT | Excluding scaffold |
| Grey EPS uplift | +£4–£8 per m²0% VAT | Thinner board for the same U-value |
| Bungalow, full house | £6,700–£12,8000% VAT | 55–75 m² of wall, including scaffold |
Confirmed by a fixed written quote after survey. 0% VAT: installing insulation in a home is zero-rated until 31 March 2027, so these figures are the total; 5% applies from 1 April 2027.
How it works
Enquiry
Send your postcode and a few details.
Measured survey
Walls, damp, eaves, cills and services recorded.
Written price
A fixed price with the specification attached.
Work and handover
Installed, inspected and documents handed over.
EPS insulation in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
White or grey EPS?
Grey graphite EPS insulates better per millimetre, so it is the pick where space is tight at the eaves or around windows. White EPS is slightly cheaper and works well where the extra thickness isn't a problem.
How long does EPS last on a wall?
The board itself doesn't degrade when protected by the render system. Service life depends on the render, sealants and detailing, typically 25–30 years or more with maintenance.
Will woodpeckers damage EPS?
It happens occasionally, especially near woodland. Damage is to the render and board surface and is repaired with a mesh patch and colour-matched finish.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Yes. We survey and quote EPS external wall insulation across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate.
Do I need planning permission in Scotland?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. We check your address before quoting.