EPS insulation · Scotland
EPS external wall insulation in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
Homes and buildings across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles — from Kirkwall to Lerwick — can get a free survey and written quote for EPS external wall insulation. We compare EPS against mineral wool for each Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles 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 Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
What's included
- Light boards mean fewer fixings and a faster install
- Easy to shape around bays, arches and reveals
- Finished in silicone, acrylic, mineral render or brick slip
- Used on low-rise houses; combustible, so not for taller buildings
- Thermal conductivity around 0.031–0.038 W/mK depending on grade
Local considerations in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
The Highlands and Islands have many exposed stone and harled homes, timber-framed houses and scattered rural properties.
Parts of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles fall in the higher wind-driven rain exposure bands, especially coastal and upland sites, so render specification, movement joints and detailing at cills, verges and the base of the wall matter more than usual.
We compare EPS against mineral wool for each Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles enquiry rather than assuming one board suits every wall.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Region
- Highlands and Islands
- Towns covered
- Kirkwall, Stornoway, Lerwick
- Guide price
- From £105 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Scotland: planning and regulations
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 Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles
| 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.
From enquiry to finished wall
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 Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles: 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 Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles?
Yes. We survey and quote EPS external wall insulation across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, including Kirkwall, Stornoway, Lerwick. Island and remote addresses are surveyed by arrangement.
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.