Our England is known in world for its old, damp, and unpredictable winters. That is why our heating systems are always working a lot, which means high energy bills. Good external wall insulation can help a lot with that problem. That is why Brits rely on wall insulation for energy efficiency.
Poor insulation can make a UK home lose one-third of its total heat. Looking at the current energy crisis and rising energy costs, this looks horrible. It means that for every £3 you spend on heating, you lose £1.
Statistics also have it that good insulation of walls, floor, and loft can save you £630 – £730 annually on energy bills. So, to lower your energy costs, it is crucial to wrap your home in the right thermal insulation. This article discusses the reasons you should look for the best thermal insulation for UK homes. Insulation is always the part of external wall render systems.
Significance of Thermal Insulation
Thermal insulation has an impressive capacity to reduce heat loss between objects. It is crucial in a country like the UK with harsh winters. Good thermal wall insulation solutions help you maintain optimal indoor temperatures, no matter how freezing cold the external climate is.
There are multiple functions of thermal insulation. Acting as a barrier against heat loss in winter is the primary one. You also get the perks like:
Energy Efficiency
When your home is properly thermally insulated, it needs less energy to heat and cool. That means you can enjoy good savings on your bills and reduce their amount.
Sustainability
When energy bills are low, you reduce your carbon footprint and promote sustainability. You reduce the need for cooling and heating.
Noise Reduction
Insulated walls also dampen the noise transmission. It is an additional benefit of temperature regulation. Hence, you also get acoustic comfort within homes.
The Science of Thermal Insulation
So, how does thermal insulation reduce heat flow? It either reflects the heat to its source, absorbs it, or holds it. The process involves three fundamental mechanisms:
Conduction
Conduction is the way heat moves through materials. Heat conducts outwards during winter and inwards during summer in houses without proper insulation. Results are uncomfortable living conditions and high energy bills.
Conductivity levels of thermal insulators are low. They have the particles that minimise the space available for kinetic energy transfer between molecules.
Convection
It is called convection when the warm air rises and the cold air sinks. This creates a cycle of energy losses in the buildings. Thermal barriers disrupt this natural airflow pattern inside walls and roofs. As a result, houses maintain a normal indoor temperature in all seasons.
Radiation
This is also a type of heat transfer. It happens through electromagnetic waves, just like sunlight heats surfaces on a clear day. Many reflective insulations combat radiant heat gain or loss within structures.
Also, exterior rendering is an important part of home designs these days. A lot of vendors who offer exterior rendering service also gladly install thermal insulation systems. And it is the best practice to hire single vendor for both projects since, exterior house rendering and thermal insulation often go hand in hand.
Types of Thermal Insulation Materials
Selecting thermal insulation is a decision that should be made after proper thinking. That makes a direct impact on the energy efficiency of your home, and makes it comfortable or uncomfortable to live in.
Many materials are available in the market. You should know their properties and applications before you choose one. The most common types of these include:
Fibreglass
Fibreglass is commonly used in the UK. It is made up of fine glass fibres and comes with impressively excellent non-flammable properties and resistance to moisture damage. Due to good flexibility, it is good for application in numerous different building parts like walls, floors, and attics.
Cellulose
Cellulose is made from recycled paper products. These products are treated with fire-resistant chemicals. Cellulose is also an eco-friendly option. You can fill irregular spaces with them. It is effective when removing interior finishes is not a great option.
Rigid Foam Boards
This option is best for exterior wall sheathing or underfloor installations where space is limited. They have a high insulating value relative to thickness. And this is what makes them ideal.
Types of Thermal Insulations
Here are some major types of external insulation systems. You can pick one of them for your UK housing insulation.
Cavity Walls
It is very common in houses built after the 1920s. They are made of two walls with a small inner gap called the ‘cavity’. The inner layer is made of concrete block, and the outer is made of bricks. Almost 28% of UK homes with cavity walls lack proper insulation.
Insulating cavity walls does not take more than a few hours. The process is comparatively straightforward. A licensed professional injects insulation material into the cavity through small holes drilled in the outer wall. Hereafter, holes are sealed with cement. The holes are not visible at the end.
Solid Walls
This is more common in homes built before the 1920s. They are made of single-layer brick walls with no cavity to be found in the middle. The risk factor is much higher in the solid walls. Almost 97% UK homes with solid walls lack proper insulation.
No cavity is there, so you have to insulate the walls either internally or externally. Process demands much more labour than cavity walls as well as the budget.
Internal Walls
The method is to fit the solid insulation boards on the inside walls of home. It is a cheaper method, but it reduces your living space to some extent. Another way is stud wall insulation. A plasterboard wall is built within the property and filled with insulation material like mineral wool fibre.
External Insulation
In this method, experts fix the insulation material to the outer walls of your home. Later, it is rendered. Advantages are weatherproofing and sound isolation. Moreover, there is zero disturbance in the household’s routine during insulation.
Loft Insulation
House lose a lot of internal heat through roof as well. Loft insulation is nothing but a thick blanket preventing warmth to exit the house via roof. Loft insulation helps homeowners save up to £ 380 a year in their energy bills.
Factors to Keep in Mind While Choosing Insulation
As stated earlier, picking up a good thermal insulation is a critical decision for homeowners. Various factors, such as the comfort of the home and its energy efficiency, depend on your choice of insulation. So, this decision must be made smartly. Consider the following factors to make the best choice:
- Cost and budget
- Fire safety
- Sustainability
- Environmental impact
- Thermal performance
- Environmental conditions
- Building regulations and codes
- Building design and construction
Conclusion
Thermal performance improvement is crucial aspect of UK homes. It helps lower your energy bills and keep our living places warm. It is also great for noise reduction and sustainability. Looking for affordable insulation options should be one of top priorities of UK.
If you are looking for professional wall insulation service, Exterior Rendering Systems are one of the go-to service providers. The brand will not disappoint you if you need best thermal insulation for UK homes.
