Solid Wall Insulation

Did you know that around 45% of the heat lost in an un-insulated solid walled home is through the walls? Insulating your solid walls can reduce heat loss and can save you around £400 a year on your fuel bills.

Solid wall insulation – what’s it all about?

If your home was built before or around 1920, its external walls are likely to be solid rather than ‘cavity walls’. Cavity walls are made of two layers with a small gap or ‘cavity’ between them. This cavity acts as a barrier to reduce heat flow through the wall.

Solid walls have no such gap and this allows more heat to pass through them than through cavity walls. In fact, twice as much heat can be lost through an un-insulated solid wall as through an un-insulated cavity wall.

Why insulate your solid walls?

Solid wall insulation is an effective way to stop wasting energy and money at home. In winter, a well insulated house keeps warmth exactly where you need it – indoors.

So, insulating your walls will help to heat your home more efficiently. Using less energy reduces carbon dioxide (CO2): one of the biggest causes of climate change. It will help you to stop wasting money on your energy bills too.

What could you save?

Solid walls can be insulated in two different ways: with internal insulation (from the inside) or external insulation (from the outside). Both options can make your home warmer and more comfortable, and greatly reduce your heating bills at the same time.

In fact, by insulating your solid walls you could cut your heating costs by up to 40%. By using less energy, your household will produce less CO2. So, insulating your walls is a great way to help fight climate change.

Cavity walled properties can also benefit from the same kind of solid wall insulation, especially if the cavities are not suitable for filling – always check the best option with your installer.

Is solid wall insulation suitable for your home?

Internal wall insulation is best carried out when you are re-plastering your walls or you’re changing major fittings in your bathroom or kitchen. External wall insulation will be more cost effective if your external walls need re-rendering; you may need planning permission if your property is listed or located within a conservation area. Each approach has its own pros and cons; conditions when it’s ideal or which make it unsuitable.