Wood fibre EWI · England
Wood fibre insulation for older homes in Greater London
Homes and buildings across Greater London — from Islington to Archway — can get a free survey and written quote for wood fibre external wall insulation. For older stone and early brick properties in Greater London, we look at a wood fibre and lime build-up first.
- Free survey and fixed written price
- Guide price from £150 per m² + scaffold, 0% VAT
- Planning and building control checked for England
Free survey in Greater London
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
What's included
- Vapour-open and hygroscopic — buffers moisture rather than trapping it
- Compatible with lime renders used on traditional buildings
- Often the most suitable EWI where planning allows on older properties
- Thicker than foam for the same U-value
- Made from a renewable material with low embodied carbon
Local considerations in Greater London
London's housing includes a large stock of Victorian and Edwardian solid-wall terraces, inter-war semis and post-war blocks, and conservation areas cover many streets — so planning is often the first question for external work.
Much of Greater London sits in the lower wind-driven rain exposure bands, which keeps the choice of finishes wide — though hilltop, coastal and exposed gable walls can still need a tougher specification, so we check the actual site.
For period homes in Greater London, the survey looks closely at existing lime mortars and any cement patching that may trap moisture.
- Nation
- England
- Region
- London
- Towns covered
- Islington, Bexley, Archway, Sutton, Croydon, Ilford, Enfield, Harrow…
- Guide price
- From £150 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Approvals in England
For houses, external wall insulation and render are often permitted development where the finish looks similar to the existing walls. Planning permission is usually needed in conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes, the Broads and World Heritage Sites (where cladding a house in stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles isn't permitted development), for flats and maisonettes, for commercial buildings, under an Article 4 direction, or where the look changes noticeably. Listed buildings need listed building consent.
Renovating more than half of a wall's area — insulating it, or stripping and re-rendering it — or more than a quarter of the building's whole external envelope brings in the energy requirements of Part L, so building control needs to be involved and the wall should reach about 0.30 W/m²K where that's technically, functionally and economically feasible.
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 Greater London
| 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%.
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.
Wood fibre EWI in Greater London: questions
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.
Is wood fibre insulation fireproof?
No — it's a timber product. It chars rather than flaming readily, but it is combustible, so it's used on low-rise buildings within a tested system and never where non-combustible materials are required.
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.
Do you cover all of Greater London?
Yes. We survey and quote wood fibre external wall insulation across Greater London, including Islington, Bexley, Archway, Sutton, Croydon.
Do I need planning permission in England?
For houses, external wall insulation and render are often permitted development where the finish looks similar to the existing walls. We check your address before quoting.