Insulating an outside wall

clutterbug_2

Im sat here in a freezing cold house and trying to figure out the ways we can try to make it warmer and more efficient.

We've put about 2ft of insulation in the loft but that doesn't seem to be doing anything ;(

We have one outside wall which is freezing cold to touch and it's at the top of the stairs. As soon as you come up the stairs is like a big bubble of cold air. Unfortunately it's quite narrow already at the top of the stairs so we cant put up a fake wall with insulation behind it (if you know what I mean) as it would take another 4 inches off the width of the gap at the top of the stairs.

Does anyone know if there is an insulation board that's about 5mm thick. I know it won't make a massive difference but anything will help.

Thanks

clutterbug_2

Also wanted to add that we can't insulate the wall externally as we are in a conservation area and now allowed to put anything up to cover the brickwork.

maninthestreet

Is it a cavity wall??
For 'thin' insulation', try depron foam - comes in 3 and 6mm-thick sheets. It's the same stuff as used for those circular disks of foam you sometimes find underneath pizzas bought from supermarkets.

clutterbug_2

Unfortunately it's solid walls throughout . I'll look into that foam. Thanks!

tigeress289

You could think about a thin baton on the wall and cover in a foil back plasterboard, which can be painted or skimmed. It would form a cavity and you would lose about 1" or a fraction more. There are insulation wall papers available, but these are quite expensive a roll.Worth thinking about as this will happen every year and energy prices keep rising.

ormus

any air gap (with or without insulation) will help.
the bigger the better.

daveyadams

If space is tight, You don't have to batten the wall, just dot and dab the plasterboard and it will create an airgap behind it. I did this on the gable end wall of my terrace. You may get cold spots where the adhesive is but it makes a big difference.

mart.vader

Something like this ?

http://www.just-insulation.com/actis-triso-super-10-multi-foil-insulation.html

clutterbug_2

Thank you all, I've bought some insulation board that is primeraly to go under tiles but works as in insulator. I'll be putting it up this weekend, so will let you all know how it goes. I have just had the window on the wall replaced too, which is already showing a difference as its warmer than the surrounding wall, whereas it always used to be about 2 degrees colder.