House Insulation
Complete house insulation does not have to cost a fortune. There are many affordable options to suit varying home applications - some you can easily do yourself with a few materials from your local hardware store!
Quality insulation keeps your house cool and ventilated during summer, and keeps the warm air locked inside during winter. The cost of energy isn’t getting any cheaper, so it is important to ensure you use quality insulation, which is installed properly to make your house sustainable and more affordable to heat long-term. Taking these simple steps with your house insulation means you are protected from the elements for many years to come, and your house is not only warm, but healthy and comfortable to live in.
R-Value measures insulating materials effectiveness– A high R-Value represents an effective material with a greater ability to stop heat loss. House insulation should be just as thick as the cavity it is being installed in, if it is compressed into a space it loses its effectiveness, which could mean the insulation doesn’t last the life of the building.
- Your first priority for house insulation should be ceiling insulation. Heat rises, and 35% of heat you’re paying for could be escaping through the roof if you don’t have adequate ceiling insulation. Ceiling insulation is one of the most affordable and easy to install insulations. It is one of the most effective things you can do to improve your house warmth, and with accessible roof spaces you can easily do it yourself - most of the materials can be found at your local hardware store!
- Floors are the second most important space to insulate in your house. This is another easy but effective way to improve your homes warmth; and with e accessible under-floors, you can install it yourself. Even if your home has ceiling insulation you could still be losing up to 20% of your heating through the floors. Complete home insulation is the most effective way to entirely heat proof your house – and taking these steps is a great way to get started.
- Once ceiling and floor insulation is installed, window and wall insulation is the next step. Different types of walls will require different types of insulation; some more difficult and expensive to install than others. Wall insulation hugely improves the performance of existing insulation and your home’s overall ability to retain heat. This should be something you take the opportunity to do when renovating your house.
- Double glazing your windows is the best way to get the most out of your home’s insulation, but it does come at a high cost when retrofitting an entire house. There are some alternatives which mimic the attributes of double glazing, such as insulation film that attaches to the window sash or frame. Even simple steps like installing quality curtains or blinds can significantly improve the warmth of your home.
It becomes a lot cheaper to insulate your house if you do it whilst undergoing renovations or improvements, or better yet building a new house. Full house insulation can add up very quickly, but there are plenty of government grants and initiatives in place to contribute to or completely cover these costs if you qualify. Do plenty of research before committing to anything, and speak with a reputable professional about your homes specific requirements.
