Description
Deep-renovation thickness for PAS 2035 whole-house retrofit and near-Passive specifications: at λD 0.031 W/mK the 160 mm graphite board delivers RD 5.15 m²K/W, the depth that drops typical UK masonry walls to 0.17–0.19 W/m²K and adds 1–2 SAP points over the 150 mm board on borderline EPC cases.
What EPS Grafit 160 mm Does in a UK EWI System
EPS Grafit 160 mm is a graphite-enhanced expanded polystyrene insulation board with declared thermal conductivity λD 0.031 W/mK and thermal resistance RD 5.15 m²K/W, certified to EN 13163. It serves as the primary insulation layer in enhanced-performance EWI build-ups on deep-renovation, near-zero, and Passive House projects up to 18 m in height. The board sits within the graphite EPS insulation board range as the deep-renovation thickness, where typical UK masonry walls reach 0.17–0.19 W/m²K.
Specifiers reach for 160 mm when the brief demands more than baseline compliance. The extra 10 mm over the 150 mm board adds 0.35 m²K/W of resistance, and that margin frequently decides EPC banding on borderline assessments, so the headroom pays for itself on whole-house retrofit work.
Why Specifiers Choose EPS Grafit 160 mm for UK Walls
- Deep-renovation U-value of 0.17–0.19 W/m²K — assembly performance comfortably exceeds the Approved Document L new-build elemental target of 0.26 W/m²K, subject to calculation, giving headroom for Future Homes Standard tightening.
- RD 5.15 m²K/W from 160 mm depth — graphite bead chemistry matches roughly 200 mm of white EPS, saving build-up depth and protecting architectural proportions on deep-renovation facades.
- 1–2 SAP points over 150 mm on borderline cases — the additional 0.35 m²K/W often decides whether a property crosses from band C into B, or B into A, on whole-house retrofit assessments.
- PAS 2035 improvement-plan compatible — supports retrofit coordinator sign-off on the fabric-first hierarchy for Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and local authority programmes.
- Self-supporting rigidity at depth — BS100 bending strength keeps the board flat when leant against the wall face, so there is no bowing during the adhesive cure window.
- Standardised across the Renders World EWI range — bonds with the same adhesives, basecoats, and meshes as thinner variants; only the fixing plug length steps up to LTX 200 mm.
- Dispatched from the Renders World Southampton warehouse — pallet quantities for deep-renovation programmes are typically shipped next working day on consolidated EWI deliveries.
Thermal Specifications — λ, U-Value, Reaction to Fire
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Declared thermal conductivity (λD) | 0.031 W/mK |
| Thermal resistance (RD) at 160 mm | 5.15 m²K/W |
| Indicative wall U-value (215 mm solid brick + 160 mm) | 0.17–0.19 W/m²K, subject to calculation |
| Reaction to fire (EN 13501-1) | Euroclass E |
| Classification string | EPS EN 13163 T1-L2-W2-Sb2-P5-BS100-DS(N)2-TR100 |
Under current Approved Document B guidance, Euroclass E EPS is permitted within EWI build-ups on residential buildings below 18 m where the project fire strategy specifies horizontal mineral wool fire barriers at each floor level and around openings. For buildings above 18 m, or where the fire strategy requires non-combustible insulation throughout, specify from the mineral wool insulation range instead; the performance trade-offs at enhanced thicknesses are set out in the graphite EPS vs mineral wool facade guide.
Physical Specifications — Density, Strength, Dimensions
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | Genderka EPS 031 Fasada Extra Plus |
| Thickness | 160 mm |
| Board size | 1000 mm × 500 mm |
| Coverage per board | 0.50 m² |
| Boards per pack | 3 |
| Pack coverage | 1.5 m² |
| Density | 15 kg/m³ |
| Bending strength | ≥ 100 kPa (BS100) |
| Tensile strength perpendicular to faces | ≥ 100 kPa (TR100) |
| Standard | EN 13163:2012+A1:2015 |
Where EPS Grafit 160 mm Performs Best — Wall Types and Build-Up
The 160 mm board is the deep-renovation thickness for projects that need to clear current compliance targets with substantial headroom while staying within standard masonry build-up depths. Two project types account for most UK use at this depth, and each rewards the extra resistance differently.
PAS 2035 Whole-House Deep Renovation
Properties undergoing a co-ordinated whole-house retrofit to EPC band A benefit from the RD 5.15 m²K/W the board provides at the wall element. Combined with loft, floor, and glazing upgrades, this thickness supports retrofit coordinator sign-off on the improvement plans required by PAS 2035 and underpins the fabric-first hierarchy that frames whole-house assessments.
Schemes targeting maximum fabric improvement under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund favour 160 mm for its blend of substantial R-value and standardised EWI compatibility, supporting ambitious band C-to-A pathways across large portfolios.
Passive House Energy-Balance Contribution
Projects pursuing Passive House pre-certification use 160 mm as a balanced wall-element thickness within the overall energy-balance model. The wall at this depth reaches 0.17–0.19 W/m²K rather than the ≤ 0.15 W/m²K element threshold, and that performance compensates effectively when paired with triple glazing, optimised airtightness, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
How EPS Grafit 160 mm Fits Into a Full EWI System
Boards bond to the prepared substrate with a circumferential-and-spot adhesive bead from the EPS adhesives and basecoats range, aiming for a minimum 40 % contact area to satisfy wind-load design under BS EN 1991-1-4. At 160 mm depth, full-face support matters more than on thinner variants: maintain a continuous perimeter bead at least 30 mm wide plus three central spots to prevent voids that could allow deflection under negative wind pressure.
After a minimum 24-hour adhesive cure, secure with 6–8 mechanical fixings per m² from the insulation fixing accessories range. The matched plug for 160 mm boards on standard masonry is the LTX 200 mm polystyrene fixing plug, giving 30–40 mm of embedment beyond the board and adhesive. Rasp the outer face for a basecoat key, then apply reinforcing basecoat with embedded mesh and finish with the specified render. The full layer-by-layer sequence and tie-in detailing are mapped in the EWI system build-up layers explained guide.
How EPS Grafit 160 mm Compares to Sibling EPS Boards
| Variant | Key Spec | When to Choose |
|---|---|---|
| 150 mm Grafit | RD 4.80 m²K/W · LTX 180 mm plug | Future Homes Standard pathway compliance |
| 160 mm Grafit (this board) | RD 5.15 m²K/W · LTX 200 mm plug | Deep renovation, PAS 2035 band A |
| 180 mm Grafit | RD 5.80 m²K/W · LTX 220 mm plug | Near-Passive, maximum-depth fabric |
Choose 160 mm when the project pushes beyond Future Homes Standard pathway into deep-renovation territory but needs to stay within standard EWI build-up depths. Step down to 150 mm when the brief is enhanced compliance rather than EPC band A; step up to 180 mm when the wall element itself must approach the Passive House threshold. The calculation method behind these bands is detailed in the U-value calculation and wall insulation thickness guide.
How EPS Grafit 160 mm Performs in UK Weather — Moisture, Frost, Wind Loads
Graphite EPS has a closed-cell structure with very low water absorption (W2 under EN 13163), so the board maintains declared thermal performance through the wet UK heating season when installed within a correctly detailed render system. Freeze-thaw cycling does not degrade the bead structure, and typical UK winter temperatures leave the material unaffected.
Wind-load resistance at 160 mm depends on the combined adhesive and mechanical fixing specification more than on the board itself. On standard exposure zones the recommended 6–8 plugs per m², combined with full-perimeter adhesive contact, delivers reliable retention to BS EN 1991-1-4 design pressures. On exposed coastal or upland sites, increase fixing density to 8–10 per m² and verify with the project structural engineer, because the longer LTX 200 mm shank transmits more lever-arm force to the substrate. Condensation behaviour on solid-wall retrofits at enhanced depths is covered in the dew point and condensation risk guide.
Handling and Storage on Site
At 160 mm and 15 kg/m³ density each board weighs roughly 1.2 kg, comfortable for single-handed positioning at scaffold height. At this depth, though, packs occupy significant platform space and the steel-grey graphite face absorbs solar radiation fast, so the handling discipline below pays back across a deep-renovation programme.
- Pre-stage full packs per scaffold lift in fixing sequence — pre-staging from the base track upward minimises repositioning at height and keeps the working area clear for adhesive and fixing tools.
- Use a long-blade hot-wire cutter at 160 mm depth — the fastest, cleanest cut face at this thickness. A fine-tooth handsaw also works; wear a dust mask and cut in a ventilated area.
- Rasp and adhere within the same working window — the freshly rasped surface gives the strongest bond, so it is a step worth timing well rather than preparing a full day's allocation in advance.
- Use a depth stop on the drill at 200 mm plug length — consistent embedment across the facade is a step worth getting right; verify the first few fixings of each elevation before proceeding.
Certifications and Compliance — BBA, EN, Reaction to Fire
- EN 13163:2012+A1:2015 — harmonised European standard for factory-made EPS, covering declared thermal conductivity, dimensional tolerances, and mechanical strength.
- Reaction to fire — Euroclass E (EN 13501-1) — suitable for EWI systems on residential buildings below 18 m where the project fire strategy specifies horizontal fire barriers at each floor level, under current Approved Document B guidance.
- CE marking and Declaration of Performance — every pack supports Building Control evidence packs, PAS 2035 retrofit coordinator records, and SAP assessor documentation.
- Deep-renovation contribution — at RD 5.15 m²K/W the board typically delivers wall U-values of 0.17–0.19 W/m²K on 215 mm solid brick, subject to calculation, aligning with enhanced fabric performance under the trajectory set out in the Future Homes Standard 2026 guide.
Is EPS Grafit 160 mm Right for Your Project?
- Best fit: PAS 2035 whole-house deep renovation to EPC band A, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund projects, or Passive House pre-certification energy-balance models.
- Standard-compliance alternative: projects targeting Future Homes Standard without the extra SAP-point headroom favour the 150 mm Grafit board at reduced material cost.
- Maximum-depth alternative: projects where the wall element must approach the Passive House threshold step up to the 180 mm Grafit board at RD 5.80 m²K/W.
- Fire-strategy alternative: buildings above 18 m, or projects requiring non-combustible insulation throughout, specify from the mineral wool insulation range.
- Trade desk: retrofit coordinators and delivery partners can request consolidated take-off sheets and phased deliveries before the first pallet leaves the Renders World warehouse.
What to Order Next — Pack Sizes, Lead Times, Compatible Components
Confirm the surveyed wall area in m², divide by 1.5 m² per pack, and add 5–10 % for cutting waste around reveals, soffits, and service penetrations. Pair each pallet with sufficient adhesive and basecoat from the adhesives and basecoats range (typically 4–5 kg/m² for the adhesive and 4 kg/m² for the basecoat), plus the LTX 200 mm fixing plug at 6–8 fixings per m².
For retrofit coordinators, architects, and delivery partners, Renders World provides consolidated take-off sheets, per-m² pricing, and split deliveries phased to scaffold rotation on request via the trade desk.
FAQ — EPS Grafit 160 mm Thickness, Coverage, Installation
How many packs does a typical deep-renovation property require?
A three-bedroom semi-detached property with roughly 80 m² of exposed wall (after deducting openings) needs around 55–60 packs of 3 boards, including 5–10 % for cutting waste. Larger detached or multi-unit programmes scale proportionally, and early engagement with the trade desk supports bulk-delivery scheduling.
When is 160 mm worth specifying over 150 mm?
The additional 10 mm adds 0.35 m²K/W, which translates to roughly 1–2 SAP points on a typical dwelling. On borderline EPC assessments this margin often proves decisive. For projects comfortably inside a target band on 150 mm, the slimmer board delivers the pass at lower material cost.
Is 160 mm sufficient for Passive House wall U-value targets?
On a standard 215 mm solid brick wall, 160 mm of graphite EPS delivers approximately 0.17–0.19 W/m²K, approaching but not quite reaching the 0.15 W/m²K element threshold on its own. Where the energy-balance model offsets the wall with triple glazing, airtightness, and MVHR, 160 mm performs reliably; where the wall must independently meet 0.15 W/m²K, step up to 180 mm or above.
Which fixing plug pairs with the 160 mm board on standard masonry?
The LTX 200 mm plug provides correct embedment for a 160 mm board on brick or block, giving 30–40 mm beyond the board and adhesive. Install 6–8 fixings per m² in the pattern specified for the wind-load zone, and use a depth stop on the drill for consistent embedment across the facade.
What is the expected service life within an EWI render system?
Within a correctly detailed render system with intact basecoat and finish, graphite EPS maintains declared thermal performance throughout the EWI system's typical 30+ year design life. Periodic visual inspection and prompt repair of any render breaches preserves long-term performance.
Is the 160 mm board suitable for buildings above 18 m?
For residential buildings above 18 m, current Approved Document B guidance and Building Safety Act provisions typically call for non-combustible insulation throughout the facade. Specify from the mineral wool insulation range for these projects, subject to the project fire strategy.
Technical Documentation — EPS Grafit 160 mm TDS, DoP, Certificates