Is my Property Suitable for Insulation

Written-by

Janet Richardson

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett-Gardiner

Updated on

Aug 09, 2023

Is my Property Suitable for Insulation

Is my property suitable for insulation?

Insulation is suitable for all property types, though ultimately its effectiveness is dependent on where it is installed and the type that is used.

Roof and Loft Insulation Suitibility

Roof or loft insulation may be appropriate if there is currently no roof insulation or if you have less than 100mm of roof insulation, in which case you can install more layers in order to improve the property’s existing insulation. As discussed here different types of roof or loft insulation are available.

If access is difficult in your loft due to the awkward placement of joists or other objects, a fire-retardant blown-in or loose fill type insulation will work best. If you have a regular joist layout, the more conventional and cheaper blanket type of insulation will work best.

If your property has a flat roof, it is usually best to insulate it from the outside using rigid insulation boards. A waterproof coating can then be fitted on top of the insulation boards. Flat roofs may be insulated from within, though this can cause damp problems. Installing internal insulation also means that the ceiling will be lower.

Wall Insulation Suitibility

Cavity wall insulation will be appropriate for you if you do not already have it (many newer homes have cavity wall insulation built in), if the cavity between inner and outer walls is at least 5cm, and if your property’s outer wall is in good condition.

Many older properties do not have cavity walls. If your property does not meet these criteria, especially if you have an older property, you may want to consider internal or external solid wall insulation. This can be a major job, however, and can be very intrusive, especially in the case of internal solid wall insulation. It can, however, take place at the same time as other building work, which will save on installation costs.

The installation of solid wall insulation must also comply with building regulations (your installer should ensure that this happens). It may also be necessary to apply for planning permission for this type of job. One should also keep in mind that this option can be very costly compared with other insulating methods.

Floor Insulation Suitibility

Floor insulation is most likely to be appropriate if your property is an older one with suspended floors, that is, with a gap beneath the floorboards. Some newer houses with concrete floors will be unsuitable for the installation of floor insulation.

In all cases it is advisable to ask a registered installer to check your current level of insulation (or to do it yourself) prior to starting any kind of work, especially in the case of cavity wall insulation.