The use of solid wall insulation is increasing in popularity because homeowners are looking for ways to increase the insulation in the building to reduce heat loss, helping in reducing costs. But what exactly is wall insulation? What are the various options when it comes to insulation for a wall that is solid? Want to know about best companies for cavity wall insulation grants
Solid walls vs. cavity walls
Solid walls are exterior walls in a structure which do not have cavities or gaps. Walls built prior to 1920s tend to be solid walls, whereas walls constructed after that are usually cavity walls consisting of two layers, with the cavity between them.
In the beginning, cavity walls were built to prevent rainwater from leaking through the walls into the structure, however in the past few decades, the cavity has become filled with insulation to improve the insulation level of the structure. When walls are solid, they do not have cavities and therefore, other options are needed to increase insulation.
Typically, you can see the distinction between solid and cavity walls by viewing your bricks (if the structure has not been rendered). Cavity walls are constructed of bricks that are laid lengthways, with unison and staggered patterns and solid walls are constructed with brick patterns where bricks are laid lengthways as well as across the entire width across the width of the wall. Do you interested in ECO4 government funded scheme?
There are many various types of insulation which can be utilized in conjunction with solid walls. Walls made of solid material can be insulated on the exterior or inside and both have each their own advantages.
Internal insulation on solid walls
Walls made of solid material can be made insulated by the addition to rigid board insulation to the building, or constructing an stud wall into which wool insulation, mineral wool or other insulation materials could be put.
The installation of insulation for walls made of solid materials is usually less expensive than the expense of the installation of external insulation this is a huge advantage. In addition, the internal insulation of solid walls is able to be installed in a room-by-room manner making it more manageable and more manageable to organize.
However, installing insulation is difficult, because every room must be cleared prior to work being able to start, and the door frames, skirting boards and other fittings need to be removed and then reattached. In addition, the internal insulation reduces the area that can be used in every room, by increasing the wall’s thickness.
Another problem with insulation inside is that it makes hanging shelves or pictures, as well as other furniture very difficult since the insulation boards and walls are not made to support the weight of bulky items.
External insulation on solid walls
External insulation on walls is achieved by applying insulation boards to an exterior wall. The wall is then coated in render and reinforced mesh and sometimes cladding as well.
External solid wall insulation is possible without causing any interruption to the structure – however, pipework must be removed or extended and temporary downpipes are able to be put in place, so that operation can continue as usual.
When you apply external insulation to the walls of your home by putting up external insulation on your walls, you are not only increasing the insulation qualities for the building, you are creating a weatherproof wall which not only shields the brickwork, but also reduces the risk of drafts, but also increases the life span of walls as well as improves sound insulation. In addition, external insulation can lower condensation inside and keep damp from developing.
Another advantage of insulation that is external is that it doesn’t restrict the amount of room or usable floor space in the structure or the home.
However, in certain instances the external wall insulation could require planning permission, which could take a long time and has the possibility of being rejected. In addition, in the event that the walls are in any way damaged or structurally weak the wall insulation on the outside is not suitable.
In some cases, exterior wall insulation might not be appropriate for certain situations, like when you are trying to insulate a flat, the entire building will require an external wall insulation, and you might not be granted permission to do it. Furthermore, it will change the look and appearance that the building’s exterior has. your building, therefore, should you have an exposed brick exterior that you like it is not a good idea to protect it from the elements with insulation boards and render. Find out here your home improvement grant