Cavity wall insulation can be an efficient way to warm up and save on energy costs, but using the wrong type can prove tricky.
Prior to insulating your home, it’s essential that you first determine if there are cavity walls. Urea formaldehyde foam insulation may deteriorate over time and homeowners should consider upgrading to mineral wool or expanding foam instead.
Cost
Cost of installing cavity wall insulation will depend on both materials used and tradesmen hired to complete the task, as well as your property size and accessibility of walls; access through garage or conservatory doors could add an extra cost factor.
Mineral wool insulation offers excellent insulating properties, and can easily be installed through any hole in walls, while polystyrene beads have less potential for moisture absorption and provide greater U-values than mineral wool systems. Both systems feature the potential of being installed through holes. When installing either type, however, consider its characteristics: one has good insulating qualities while blown-in holes and another allows easy removal with air blaster; secondly rot-resistant and less likely to sag down wall cavities than its competitors – providing less EPS bead systems offers less potential moisture absorption while offering greater U values overall.
Installing cavity wall insulation can lead to significant energy savings and help alleviate fuel poverty and decrease carbon footprint. Plus, its cost will quickly be recovered through reduced energy bills!
Efficiency
Cavity wall insulation can dramatically lower heating bills in any home, which is great news. Unfortunately, however, improper installation or use of inappropriate insulation materials could create problems in other properties; such as damp and condensation issues that result. In such instances, contact the company responsible and request they remedy it as quickly as possible by offering professional-backed guarantees and installing dehumidifiers as required.
There are various types of insulation that can be injected into cavity walls to improve their thermal performance, with mineral fibre being one of the more popular choices, typically coated with water repellent for enhanced moisture resistance. EPS polystyrene bead systems may also be suitable in properties that cannot accommodate mineral wool; their glue bond helps prevent them from getting caught on wall ties or protrusion into the cavity and creating cold spots.
Durability
If your home was retrofitted with cavity wall insulation and you are experiencing damp issues, it is crucial to contact the installer who performed the work immediately. They should offer you a professional-backed guarantee covering repair or remedial works.
Insulating cavity walls serves a dual purpose: to decrease heat loss and save on energy bills by filling any gaps between house skins that exist between standard masonry brick buildings. New builds typically meet building regulations regarding cavity wall insulation; however, older properties don’t always adhere to such practices.
Be mindful that any issues like draughty windows, broken guttering and damp patches must first be fixed before having cavity wall insulation installed; failing to do so could hinder its benefits and create cold spots within the wall cavity. Also important are any existing mortar lumps or cavity ties which might create bridges across your cavity leading to cold spots within.
Appearance
Cavity wall insulation can save money on heating bills while increasing your home’s resale value, but improper installation could cause damp and mould issues in some properties. For the best results, consult with a qualified surveyor before beginning this project.
If your walls consist of standard brick or block construction with two layers and an air gap between them, cavity wall insulation should not be an issue. Newly built houses must install at least 70mm as part of building regulations requirements.
Blown fibre insulation – such as mineral wool – tends to be one of the more problematic types. This is because it can catch on metal wall ties and mortar protrusions protruding through external walls, leaving voids within its structure. Furthermore, moisture penetration may occur if its cellulose (fibre) component gets wet.