The demand for advanced external insulation fixings is rapidly surging, driven by stricter energy-saving regulations and continuous upgrades in construction technology globally. Whether for thermal insulation in modern residential buildings or high-performance needs in industrial facilities, the proper selection of external insulation fixings—including insulation nails and insulation nails with washers—directly impacts installation quality, long-term durability, and overall project efficiency.
Figure 1. Professional external insulation fixings for wall systems
Official Product: External Wall Insulation Nails →
Industry Trends & Market Dynamics (2024 Update)
- Global Growth: The global external wall insulation market, including fixings, exceeded USD 8.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow by 5.4% CAGR through 2030 (source: Grand View Research).
- Material Innovations: Advancements in composite polymers, SS304/316 stainless steel, and HDPE have increased both strength and corrosion resistance of insulation nails.
- Compliance Acceleration: EU mandates (EN 13501, ISO 9227) and rising passive house standards drive wider use of certified external insulation fixings.
- Customization Trend: Architects increasingly request tailored length, washer, and load specifications for hybrid facades and retrofit.
Technical Parameters: External Insulation Fixings Overview
External insulation fixings are specialized fasteners engineered to securely anchor thermal insulation boards onto external walls. They typically comprise:
- Thermal-breaking insulation nail shaft
- High-grip expansion plug
- Large-area washer (for insulation nails with washers variants)
Primary functions include: resisting wind loads, ensuring durable anchorage, and minimizing thermal bridging.
Key Specification Table – Market Overview
Parameter |
Typical Range |
Standard |
Notes |
Length |
60mm – 260mm |
ISO 898-1, EN 14566 |
Selected per insulation thickness |
Material |
HDPE, Nylon, Galvanized Steel, SS304/316 |
ISO 3506, ASTM A153 |
Stainless for coastal/corrosive zones |
Pull-out Load |
0.6kN – 1.7kN |
EN 1991-1-4 |
Critical for wind load safety |
Thermal Conductivity |
< 0.24W/m.K |
ISO 6946 |
Low loss ensures energy performance |
Insulation Nail Types |
Plain, with washer, screw-in, drive-in |
- |
Washer type increases hold area |
Coating/Finish |
Galvanized, Epoxy, Hot-dip |
ISO 9227 |
Corrosion resistance |
Figure 2. Typical insulation nails with washers configuration
How Are External Insulation Fixings Manufactured? (Step-by-Step)
1
Raw Material Selection
(HDPE, Polyamide, Stainless Steel as per standards)
2
Automated Forming
(Injection molding, cold heading, CNC turning)
3
Surface Treatment
(Galvanizing, Epoxy, Passivation)
4
Assembly & QC
(Visual, pull-out, dimensional tests)
5
Final Inspection & Packaging
Each batch is tested per
ISO 3506 and
EN 14566 for mechanical strength, corrosion, and dimensional accuracy.
[ISO 3506 details]
Input:
High-purity resin or certified steel rods
Process:
Injection molding (for polymer components) or cold forging (for steel), followed by precision CNC machining
Key Inspection:
Pull-out test, salt spray (≥ 500 hours per ISO 9227), and thermal bridge simulation
Typical Product Cross-Section Diagram
Figure 3. Schematic – External Insulation Fixings
Main Materials and Manufacturing Technologies
- HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): Lightweight, strong; meets ISO 1872 specs. Ideal for non-load bearing insulation boards.
- SS304/SS316 Stainless Steel: High anti-corrosion, >15 years outdoor lifespan (ISO 3506 rated). Used in coastal, heavy industry zones.
- Galvanized/Hot-Dip Steel: Cost-effective for standard buildings. Epoxy anti-rust coatings up to 70 μm thick (per ASTM A653).
- Composite Nail Head & Washer: Reduce cold bridges, spread loads, and prevent insulation damage under high suction wind loads.
Product Specification Visualizations
Figure 4. Insulation nail length distribution among top brands
HDPE
SS304/316
Galvanized Steel
Others
Figure 5. 2024 Global breakdown of insulation nail material usage (by unit)
Figure 6. Pull-out force in various external insulation fixings
Comparison Table: Major Global External Insulation Fixing Suppliers
Brand |
Country |
Material Options |
Pull-out Load (kN) |
Certifications |
Delivery Time |
HBXZ Fastener |
China |
HDPE, SS304/316, Galv. Steel |
1.57 |
ISO 9001, CE, EN 14566 |
7-15 days |
Ejot |
Germany |
Nylon, Steel, Polyamide |
1.11 |
ETA, ISO, DIN |
14-21 days |
fischer |
Germany |
HDPE, Steel |
1.06 |
ETA, CE |
15-25 days |
Rawlplug |
Poland |
Polypropylene, Steel |
1.24 |
ETA, BBA |
14-28 days |
Sormat |
Finland |
Composite, Galv. Steel |
1.32 |
CE, ISO |
20-30 days |
Typical Application Scenarios & Advantages
- Residential Building Facades: ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems), EIFS, and insulated masonry upgrades. External insulation fixings guarantee energy compliance (ISO 6946).
- Industrial Facilities: Pipe insulation for chemical plants, power plants (resist alkali, corrosion per ISO 9227), ventilation and process ducts.
- Public Infrastructure: Railway tunnels, bridges, subway stations—resistant to vibration, dynamic load, and urban pollution.
- Cold Storage/Warehouses: Stable temperature insulation anchoring; use of waterproof insulation nails with washers ensures vapor barrier integrity.
- Retrofitting & Energy Upgrades: Quick, safe installation during facade renovation without damaging original substrates.
Case Studies & Verified Installations
[Case 1] Shanghai Mixed-use Tower, 2023
Solution: HBYZ 180mm external insulation fixings (HDPE shaft, SS316 washer, 1.55 kN pull-out, EN 14566 certified)
Advantage: Zero visible cold bridges, 15% faster installation, met 50-year corrosion resistance benchmarks.
Feedback: “Consistent anchorage and thermal quality, passed local building energy audits on first inspection.” – Project Manager, China State Construction.
[Case 2] Offshore Petrochemical Platform, 2022
Solution: Full SS316 insulation nails with washers (ISO 9227, salt spray tested 1200h, 22-year design life).
Performance: Maintained load capacity under -35~70°C, zero corrosion after two years.
Client: “Key to our maintenance-free facade policy.” – Shell Procurement
[Case 3] Transport Infrastructure – Sintering Plant, 2021
Highlights: Custom galvanized nails (240mm), hot-dip finish, 30,000 units. Short delivery (11 days). No single anchorage fault after three winters.
Customization Service – From Sample to High-volume Supply
- OEM/ODM Available: Dimensions, head diameter, washer shape, shaft ribbing and anti-fire compound can be customized.
- Material Matching: Project-specific corrosion or fire resistance based on environment and substrate.
- In-house Testing: Laboratory support for load test, cycle fatigue, ISO/EN compliance.
- Fast Lead Time: Tooling to mass production in as fast as 7 working days.
Get a Free Custom Spec for External Insulation Fixings →
FAQs: Technical & Application Insights
Q1. What materials are external insulation fixings commonly made of?
Most external insulation fixings use high-grade polymers (HDPE or nylon, conforming to ISO 1872 or EN 14566) for the shaft, and zinc-galvanized or SS304/316 steel for washers and expansion plugs, achieving both strength and anti-corrosion.
Q2. How do I choose the right insulation nail length and washer size?
Choose a length at least 30mm longer than the insulation thickness (per EN 13163/ISO 6946). Washer diameter 60-90mm is typical to avoid cold bridges/indentation, per DIN 18560.
Q3. What standards must external insulation fixings comply with?
Key standards: EN 14566 (mechanical anchors), ISO 3506/9227 (corrosion, stainless grades), and ETA/CE conformity for EU markets.
Q4. What is the typical pull-out strength required for reliable anchoring?
For facade or exposed applications, a minimum pull-out value of 1.0 kN is recommended. Critical wind zones may require up to 1.5 kN or higher.
Q5. Are fire-resistant insulation nails and washers available?
Yes, fire-retardant HDPE (oxygen index ≥30%) or metal-composite washers are widely used in high-rise, public, and industrial sectors (comply with EN 13501-1 or UL94).
Q6. How do insulation nails with washers prevent thermal bridging?
Polymer or composite washers isolate cold steel from the insulation-concrete sandwich—this minimizes linear thermal transmittance for net-zero or passive designs.
Q7. What installation torque or process is recommended?
Recommended predrill diameter is 8-10mm, with torque not to exceed 4.0 Nm. Hammer-in or screw-in types are available for manual or automated installation.
Ordering, Delivery & Customer Assurance
- Delivery Cycle: Standard sizes – 7~15 days. Custom designs – 18~28 days.
- MOQ Policy: Flexible, starts as low as 1,000 pcs for pilot projects.
- Quality Assurance: All external insulation fixings have 5-year product warranty, pass ISO 9227 salt spray, and batch mechanical testing.
- Traceability: Every box coded for batch, test protocol and raw material source.
- Support: Onsite technical training, installation videos, and after-sales consultation within 24h.
- Certificates: Factory certified ISO 9001, EN 14566 / CE, and third-party test results available.
Figure 7. Laboratory testing of external insulation fixings batch samples