Keeping your home warm during the upcoming months is probably your number one priority as winter approaches. And since the government will be providing vouchers to reduce the cost of energy-saving home improvement projects, you should consider preparing yourself more accordingly this time around.
Why would you do that? Well, because you can get higher-quality insulation without breaking your bank while reducing your carbon footprint – a win-win for everyone. And one of the worst ways homes in the UK lose invaluable heat during the winter months is through uninsulated cavity walls. So why not make use of the vouchers and wrap up your walls using cavity insulation? This article will guide you through the process, and answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding cavity wall insulation.
What Is Cavity Insulation?
Most homes are built using either cavity or solid walls. Cavity walls are comprised of two walls with an empty gap between them. Generally, the outer wall is made of brick, whereas the inner wall is made of concrete blocks or bricks. Solid walls, on the other hand, are completely filled up on the inside.
Now that you know the difference between the two types of walls, cavity wall insulation is the material added between the two walls. This material features heat-retaining properties, ensuring most of the warmth inside your home stays inside your home.
How Does Cavity Insulation Accomplish That?
Most of the time, the insulation material is injected into the gap between the two walls from the outside. This is accomplished by drilling small holes at intervals of typically 1 metre, then inserting the insulation material using specialised equipment. Once the material is between the two walls, the holes are filled in the brickwork without protruding, making them unnoticeable. Since adding cavity insulation requires specialised equipment, it’s not something you can do yourself.
Costs of Adding Cavity Insulation
The cost of adding cavity wall insulation into your home will depend on the size of your home, and the type of insulation material you’re going to install. Regardless, you can expect to get the money back in five years or less due to the savings you’ll make along the way. Premium-quality cavity insulation boards like Kingspan k108 100mm, for instance, can cost you up to $20 per board, VAT included.
While you don’t have to settle for expensive insulation like the Kingspan k108 100mm boards, there definitely are benefits to doing so. At the very least, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have long-lasting, high-performance insulation made of fibre-free rigid thermoset phenolic core. Speaking of insulation materials, here are the most popular ones used in cavity insulation.
Types of Cavity Insulation Material
There are three popular types of insulation material used to fill cavity walls.
- Polyurethane Foam (PUR) – This is considered the most effective insulation material for cavity walls, but it’s also the most expensive one. It’s a fluid-like material that is injected inside the cavity. Once injected, the material expands and fills the gap between the two walls. Once installed, you get seamless insulation with no thermal bridges.
- Blown Mineral Fibre – This type of insulation is the most eco-friendly. Fibreglass has little to no impact on the environment, and the materials used in the production of glass wool are recyclable. These materials include sand, glass and other materials. Moreover, you can recycle them again should you decide to replace the insulation. Fibreglass provides decent insulation, and many households take advantage of it.
- Polystyrene – Just like mineral fibres, polystyrene granules or beads are inserted into the cavity with the help of compressed air. You can supply them loosely or in a light sticky resin that will help hold them together. As a result, this type of insulation is more affordable, but it isn’t as eco-friendly and efficient as the aforementioned two.
Available Vouchers for Cavity Insulation
No matter how beneficial cavity insulation is, some people still find it difficult to justify its initial cost. If you’re one of those people, worry not – there are ways to get some financial help in the matter.
There used to be two grants to help people get insulation, but only one of them is available since March 2021 – The Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This scheme “forces” certain installers to support vulnerable, low-income households in keeping their homes warm. This includes cavity walls insulation, replacing a boiler with an eco-friendly one, etc. In order to reap the benefits of the ECO scheme, you must be eligible for one of the following benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payments
- Income Support
- Mobility Supplement
- Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Tax Credits
- Severe Disability Allowance
Potential Issues With Cavity Wall Insulation
If cavity insulation is improperly installed, it can allow water to get into the walls, resulting in structural issues and damp patches that can transform into mould. These issues can take years to build up, which is why you should keep an eye on the symptoms that indicate their arising.
- Mould
- Dampness
- Condensation
- Damaged Brickwork
- No increase in temperature or heat
How To Tell if You Have a Cavity Wall?
The easiest way to tell whether you have a cavity wall or not is by the age of your home. If it was built after the 1920s, it probably has cavity walls. Another way to know is the brickwork on the home. You’ll generally notice even patterns on cavity walls where the bricks are laid lengthways, whereas solid walls feature alternating patterns where the bricks are laid across the wall.
If the brickwork is covered, however, you should measure the width of the wall. Check the windows or doors that are mounted on your external walls – if the brick wall is thicker than 2.6cm, it probably is a cavity wall. Once you figure out the details, you can find a solution and make your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Take your time to shop around for the best deal and make sure the installer you choose is registered with at least one of the following three organisations:
- British Board of Agreement
- Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency
- National Insulation Association
