Insulation

Choosing Insulation
In our series examining key self-build decisions, Mark Brinkley demystifies the baffling process of specifying insulation with a brief look at under floor insulation, cavity wall insulation, insulated wall systems, roof insulation and more.

Solutions for Insulating Walls
Making the walls of an old house more energy efficient can be a difficult challenge, particularly if it has solid walls. Michael Holmes explains the options.

Installing Loft Insulation
Topping up your existing loft insulation can help your home to retain heat during the cold winter months ahead. Follow Ben Field’s step-by-step guide to find out how to do it on a DIY basis

External Wall Insulation
Adding insulation to the exterior of a property is a more effective way of creating a continuous layer of insulation around the entire external wall area, without cold bridges across internal partition walls. Plus external insulation achieves lower u-values.

Insulating Walls: Traditional Construction
For houses of non-standard construction, insulating solutions are harder to find - the various forms of earth construction used are unlikely to require additional insulation, but great care must be taken not to trap damp within earth walls, as this will lead to rapid decay of the structure.

Natural Insulation
Natural insulation is better for you, your home and the environment, but is it really worth the extra cost? Tim Pullen discusses the pros and cons of the various types of natural insulation currently available.