What’s a cavity wall and how do I know if I have them?
A cavity wall is made of two separate thin walls which are usually built of brick and known as ‘skins’ or ‘leaves’ with a gap (or cavity) between them. They’re usually held together by metal wall ties. Walls which are more than ten inches thick are probably cavity walls. If your property was built in the last twenty years, there is a very good chance your home has cavities in the walls, which are probably empty and could use insulation.
The advantages of adding cavity wall insulation:
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Saves you hundreds of pounds on your annual utility bills
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Cavity wall insulation is one of the most cost-effective types of insulation systems you can invest in
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Enjoy a home which is cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter
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Cavity wall insulation is very quick, clean and easy to install
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Increases the value of your property
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Reduces your total carbon footprint, so you can do your part for the planet
You should consider cavity wall insulation if:
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Your home is made of brick and has unfilled cavity walls
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Cavities are at least 2 inches wide
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The brickwork or masonry is in good condition
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Your external walls are accessible. If some are joined to a neighbouring house, the installer will need to insert a cavity barrier, which could increase costs
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Your home is less than 12 meters (about 4 stories) high
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Your internal walls are dry. Wet wall insulation is worse than no wall insulation, so if you have any damp patches, you’ll need to get the cause sorted out before installing any insulation. For the same reason, cavity insulation is not suitable if the walls are regularly exposed to driving rain
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There are no areas of steel or timber-framed construction
What makes wool so good for insulation?
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It is naturally moisture resistant. It retains its insulating qualities even when wet
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Mineral wool does a fantastic job at blocking sound, so the interior of a house suffers less acoustic invasion
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Mineral wool will not burn until temperatures reach beyond 1,800°F (1,000°C). The insulation serves as a fire barrier, slowing the spread of fire and giving you time to get out
Better known as mineral wool, this material is sort of injected into the cavity wall by drilling small holes in the external wall. It works like a traditional form of insulation where air is trapped into the mineral wool to regulate temperature. There are many ways to install it between the joists simply because of the array placement options it offers.
