Wood fibre EWI · Scotland
Wood fibre insulation for older homes in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Quotes for wood fibre external wall insulation in Edinburgh and the Lothians set out the system, detailing, access and VAT position in writing. If your home in Edinburgh and the Lothians is in a conservation area, we check the council's position on render before suggesting wood fibre EWI.
- Free survey and fixed written price
- Guide price from £150 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.
What's included
- Thicker than foam for the same U-value
- Vapour-open and hygroscopic — buffers moisture rather than trapping it
- Compatible with lime renders used on traditional buildings
- Made from a renewable material with low embodied carbon
- Often the most suitable EWI where planning allows on older properties
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.
If your home in Edinburgh and the Lothians is in a conservation area, we check the council's position on render before suggesting wood fibre EWI.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Region
- East Central Scotland
- Towns covered
- Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate
- Guide price
- From £150 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Permissions 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.
Why do older walls need breathable insulation?
Stone and early brick walls were built with lime mortars and renders that let moisture in and out. Sealing them with impermeable materials can trap water in the wall, leading to damp and frost damage. Wood fibre keeps the build-up open to vapour, and its ability to absorb and release moisture helps the wall stay in balance.
Wood fibre insulation for older homes prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians
| Item | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood fibre + lime render system | £150–£210 per m²0% VAT | Excluding scaffold |
| Cottage, about 90 m² of wall | £15,300–£22,1000% VAT | Including scaffold |
| Lime render only (no insulation) | £78–£132 per m²inc VAT | See lime render |
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. Prices include VAT at 20%.
How it works
Tell us about the property
Use the quote tool or form, or call. Photos help.
Free survey
We measure, check the walls and confirm approvals.
Fixed written quote
System, details, access, exclusions and VAT in writing.
Installation
Scheduled for suitable weather, with a clear programme.
Wood fibre EWI in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
Is wood fibre worth the extra cost?
On older solid walls the main benefit is moisture safety rather than raw U-value. If the wall needs to breathe, the cheaper option can cost more later.
Can wood fibre go on a stone wall?
Yes, after levelling. Rubble stone is often uneven, so a levelling coat or adapted fixing method is used first.
Does wood fibre need a lime render?
It needs the render specified by the system manufacturer, which is usually lime or mineral based.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Yes. We survey and quote wood fibre 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.