In short: How do you choose an ETICS applicator? With three checks: the applicator’s MYK Thermal Insulation Worker certificate, the facades they have already completed and the detail of their quotation. Ask for a written quotation itemised from board to finish coat and compare the quoted materials with the manufacturer’s technical data sheets. A good applicator explains the board, adhesive and render as one system and plans the work around the weather.
In ETICS work, craftsmanship lies in places you cannot see once the facade is finished: in the adhesive behind the board, in how the anchor sits and in where the mesh lies within the render. We described a historical example of this unseen craftsmanship in our article on Mimar Sinan’s acoustic secrets. Certification details come from the official sources of Türkiye’s Vocational Qualifications Authority (MYK), and material values from Mega technical data sheets.
How do you choose an ETICS applicator? 12 questions to ask before the quotation
A good ETICS applicator brings together knowledge of the system, the details and the season. Ask these questions when discussing the quotation; the clarity of the answers also shows how the applicator will manage the job.
- Do you hold a certificate? The MYK Thermal Insulation Worker (Level 3) certificate; also ask which members of the facade crew hold it.
- Can I see a facade you have done? Preferably one that has been through at least one winter.
- Which board, in which type and thickness? The type name from the data sheet and the thickness in centimetres.
- Which adhesive, and how much per square metre? The product name and a consumption consistent with the data sheet.
- What is your anchor plan? A type and length suited to the wall, and the number per square metre.
- How will you handle mesh and corners? The mesh type, overlaps at joints and reinforcement at window corners.
- Which profiles will be used? Base, corner and drip profiles, and expansion joint profiles where needed.
- Which render and finish coat, and how many coats? Including whether the finish coat will be painted.
- Who provides the scaffolding? Is it included in the quotation, and what safety measures will be taken?
- What happens if the weather turns? How work will be stopped in heat, frost, rain and wind.
- What is your work schedule? The facade sequence, the dates and the interim checks.
- What will we check together at handover? The handover report, leftover materials, waste and cleaning.
Thermal insulation worker certificate and references: how do you judge competence?
An applicator’s competence is judged by the MYK certificate and by previous jobs you can see on site. The certificate shows skills measured by examination; a reference job shows their result on site.
The official counterpart of ETICS craftsmanship is MYK’s national qualification 12UY0057-3, Thermal Insulation Worker (Level 3). Prepared by İNTES and İZODER, its current revision has two mandatory units: one covers work organisation together with occupational health and safety, the other thermal insulation of external facades (ETICS). Internal insulation and floor and roof insulation are optional units.
The certificate is earned through theoretical and practical exams. In the practical exam, the candidate must pass every critical step, such as laying boards in a staggered pattern, interlocking them at corners, anchoring after the adhesive has cured and embedding the mesh while the render is wet, and must score at least 80% overall. The certificate is valid for 5 years and is extended by another 5 years on the basis of work records or a practical exam.
Thermal Insulation Worker is on MYK’s list of occupations requiring certification, with a start date of 26 May 2016. Mandatory certification was introduced for occupations of this kind that are classed as hazardous or very hazardous work; employers may not employ people without the certificate in such work. Scanning the QR code on the back of the certificate lets you verify its details on the MYK portal.
Do not settle for photos of reference jobs; if possible, see a facade that has been through at least one winter. Some defects, such as anchor marks or cracks starting at window corners, become more visible over time; we explain their causes in our guide to ETICS application mistakes.
Which items should an ETICS quotation list?
An ETICS quotation should list every material by product name and type, and every labour item by scope. One-line quotations such as “complete ETICS” cannot be compared with each other.
| Item | What the quotation should state | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Board | Material, type name from the data sheet, thickness, quantity | The pack label must match the quotation |
| Adhesive | Product name, code, consumption | MTA-3333 data sheet: 3–5 kg/m² |
| Anchors | Type, length, number per square metre | Chosen according to the wall material |
| Mesh | Weight per square metre, alkali resistance | MTP-3344 data sheet: 160 g/m², 10 cm overlap at joints |
| Profiles | Base, corner, drip, expansion joint | Which one is used on which facade |
| Base coat render | Product name, number of coats | MTP-3344 data sheet: about 4 mm, 3.5–5.5 kg/m² |
| Finish coat | Product, texture, colour, paint | MTD-3355 data sheet: painted once dry |
| Scaffolding and preparation | Erection, dismantling, repairs, sill replacement | Problems seen during the survey should be written in |
| Schedule and handover | Facade sequence, weather stoppages, report, cleaning | Should be tied to the working conditions in the data sheets |
If consumption is stated, the number of bags delivered can be checked against the quantities. Mega thermal insulation board adhesive MTA-3333 comes in 25 kg bags, and its data sheet consumption is 3–5 kg/m²; for a 100 m² facade, that comes to between 12 and 20 bags. You will find the components in our article on ETICS materials and anchor numbers in our guide to ETICS anchor quantities.
What should an ETICS contract cover?
The contract should state clearly who supplies the materials, the scope of the work and the handover terms. Such work is assessed as a contract for work under the Turkish Code of Obligations. Under the Code, a contractor who supplies the material is liable for its defects like a seller; if the owner supplies it, the contractor must use it with care, return what is left and report any defect noticed immediately. For a large apartment building, it is sensible to have the contract reviewed by a lawyer.
How do you check the quoted material against its data sheet?
Finding the quoted board’s type name in the technical data sheet and reading the λD, compressive strength and water absorption lines is a good first check. Rely on these lines rather than on the applicator’s verbal description.
Mega Yalıtım (Mega Insulation Solutions) is a Turkish insulation materials manufacturer headquartered in Kavacık, Istanbul; it offers stone wool, XPS and EPS thermal insulation boards as well as MegaTech construction chemicals under the Mega brand. Data sheets are published on the product pages and certificates on the Mega Yalıtım Documents page.
| Data sheet line | What it tells you | Example from Mega data sheets |
|---|---|---|
| λD (W/mK) | Thermal conductivity; lower insulates better | MEGA SW F120: ≤0.037 · EPS 80W: 0.038 · EPS 50 (G): 0.032 |
| Compressive strength, CS(10) (kPa) | Resistance to crushing under load | MEGA SW F120: at least 30 · EPS 80W: 80 · EPS 50 (G): 50 |
| Tensile strength, TR (kPa) | Resistance to pulling perpendicular to the face | MEGA SW F120: at least 10 · EPS 80W: 100 · EPS 50 (G): 100 |
| Water absorption | Water taken up in contact with water | MEGA SW F120: WL(P) ≤3 kg/m² · EPS 80W: WL(T) 3% · EPS 50 (G): WL(T) 4% |
Source: Mega technical data sheets (MEGA SW F120, EPS 60W-80W-90W, EPS 50-60-70 (G)).
Mega’s stone wool ETICS board page lists separate data sheets for the F150, F120, PLUS, ULTRA and SW-35L types; for EPS, see the white EPS ETICS board and grey EPS ETICS board pages. If the quotation only says “stone wool board”, ask the applicator for the type name.
What should be checked on site on the first day?
On the first day, check the substrate, the weather and the delivered materials. For seasonal planning, see our article on when ETICS should be applied.
- Substrate: The facade should be free of dust, formwork oil and loose render, with cracks repaired. The skills assessed in the MYK qualification include checking the evenness of the facade with a string line and reviewing window sill and drip edge dimensions.
- Weather: According to the MegaTech technical data sheets, application takes place between +5 and +35 °C, and not on frozen surfaces or those at risk of frost within 24 hours, in direct sun or in strong wind. For MTA-3333, rain also rules out work.
- Labels: The product name, code and type must match the quotation. MTA-3333, MTP-3344 and MTD-3355 can be stored for 12 months from production under suitable conditions.
- Storage: Mortar bags should be kept out of the sun in a dry, covered area, off the ground; no more than 8 MTA-3333 bags are stacked on top of each other. XPS boards stored outdoors are protected with a UV-blocking cover.
Application note from MegaUsta: When materials arrive, photograph the label of one bag or pack from each product group and keep the photos with the quotation. Comparing later deliveries with these photos prevents products from being switched halfway through the job.
Why do quotations differ so much?
Quotations differ because of scaffolding needs, facade detailing, the condition of the substrate and the chosen materials. Building height and how often the scaffolding must be moved have a direct effect on labour. More windows, balconies, surrounds and corners also mean more cutting, profiles and reinforcing mesh. Blistering render and cracks are repaired first; under the MYK definition, large deviations are corrected with a coat of rough render before insulation. Stone wool, white EPS and grey EPS are separate materials, and the choice of type, thickness and finish coat also changes the quotation.
With a noticeably low quotation, first check the lines for board thickness, number of anchors, mesh type and finish coat paint.
What should be checked during the work and at handover?
During the work, check the board layout, anchor timing, mesh and render; at handover, check the whole surface. A detailed checklist is in our guide on how ETICS is applied.
- Board layout: Horizontal and staggered, interlocked at corners, cut as single L-shaped pieces around windows and doors. The first two are critical steps in the MYK practical exam.
- Anchors: According to the MTA-3333 data sheet, at least 24 hours after bonding.
- Render: According to the same data sheet, 2 days after bonding.
- Mesh: Embedded while the first render coat is wet; according to the MTP-3344 data sheet, joints overlap by 10 cm, and reinforcing mesh is added at window corners.
- Finish coat: MTD-3355 decorative mineral render is painted once dry.
Under the Turkish Code of Obligations, after handover the owner must inspect the work as soon as possible and notify the contractor of defects within a reasonable time; an owner who fails to do so is deemed to have accepted the work. A defect that appears later must also be reported without delay. On handover day, walk around the facades and photograph anchor marks, corner cracks and colour differences, recording them in the report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What certificate should an ETICS applicator hold?
An ETICS applicator should hold MYK’s vocational qualification certificate for Thermal Insulation Worker (Level 3). ETICS is a mandatory unit of this qualification, and the certificate is earned through theoretical and practical exams. It is valid for 5 years and can be verified on the MYK portal via the QR code on its back. MYK’s list gives 26 May 2016 as the start of mandatory certification for this occupation.
What should an ETICS quotation include?
An ETICS quotation should list every material by product name and type, and all labour by scope. The board type and thickness, adhesive and render consumption, anchor type and number, mesh, profiles, finish coat and paint, scaffolding, substrate repair, work schedule and handover check should each appear on a separate line.
What should the applicator check before starting work?
Before starting, the applicator should check the substrate, the weather and the materials. The facade is checked with a string line, loose render and cracks are repaired, and window sill and drip edge dimensions are reviewed. According to the MegaTech technical data sheets, the ambient temperature must be between +5 and +35 °C with no frost risk within 24 hours.
How can you tell the material is genuine?
You can tell the material is genuine by comparing the product name and code on the packaging with the manufacturer’s technical data sheet. A code such as MTA-3333 on a bag, or the type name on a pack, must match the data sheet. The production date is also checked against the shelf life; packaging with unreadable labels or signs of wetting is refused.
Should the applicator have a say in material selection?
The applicator should give an opinion on materials but should not decide the board type and thickness alone. That decision rests on the thermal insulation design where one exists, or otherwise on the assessment of a competent engineer. The applicator’s real contribution lies in application details such as the bonding method, anchors, profiles and render. The choice should be written into the contract.
Sources
- MYK: Qualification 12UY0057-3 Thermal Insulation Worker, Rev. 01 (Turkish)
- MYK: 12UY0057-3, first edition (Rev. 00, Turkish)
- MYK Portal: qualifications with mandatory certification (Turkish)
- MYK: Mandatory certification (Turkish)
- MYK: Vocational qualification certificate (Turkish)
- Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098, Articles 470–477 (Turkish)
- Mega MTA-3333 data sheet (PDF)
- Mega MTP-3344 data sheet (PDF)
- Mega MTD-3355 data sheet (PDF)
- MEGA SW F120 data sheet (PDF)
- Mega EPS 60W-80W-90W data sheet (PDF)
- Mega EPS 50-60-70 (G) data sheet (PDF)
- Mega Yalıtım Documents
For a general definition of the system, see our article on what ETICS is, and for the render data sheet, the thermal insulation board render page. If you have a question about a Mega product in a quotation, you can write to the technical team via the Mega Yalıtım contact page.
