Design and Technological Features of the Application of External Thermal Insulation Systems in Large-Panel Buildings

Abstract

Large-panel residential buildings assembled from precast reinforced-concrete wall panels and floor slabs are widespread in many post-industrial housing stocks. Their envelopes commonly suffer from high transmission losses, pronounced thermal bridging at panel joints and balconies, and degraded airtightness at joints and window perimeters. External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) remain one of the most scalable retrofit measures because they add continuous external insulation and a protective rendered skin. However, ETICS performance on large-panel façades is susceptible to panel-joint movement, substrate integrity, anchoring reliability, moisture control, and façade fire strategy.