At this time of year, homeowners often begin to think about ways to better insulate and draught-proof their homes.
Investing in insulation will not only make you feel warmer but can reduce energy usage and subsequently household bills and carbon emissions. The Energy Saving Trust says that wall insulation is one of the key measures we can take to reduce our energy usage.
What Kind of Insulation Does My Home Need?
‘Single skin’ walls are walls with no cavity between the outer brickwork and inner wall components. This leads to the transference of cold temperatures through the walls into your home, known as cold-bridging. It also leaves no space to add insulation. It is possible to add an interior stud wall to a room, creating a cavity that can then be insulated, but this may mean losing inner space in a room and can require a total refurb of a room and quite a lot of disruption. If appropriate, homeowners may wish to consider exterior wall insulation instead.
Exterior Insulation
It’s been shown that exterior wall insulation can drastically increase the heat-retaining property of a home. It is a similar process to internal wall insulation – adding a layer of insulation on the outside walls, normally using blocks or pre-prepared panels, and creating a pleasing aesthetic finish with cladding, panelling or rendering. This means you don’t lose space inside the house and don’t need to redecorate inside.
This is an effective way of insulating single skin walls but may affect the appearance of property quite dramatically. This can be an ideal option, however, for those undergoing a complete refurb and modernisation of a property. On the downside, it can be a little more expensive than internal insulation.