Insulation

1010

Hi. Couple of questions. 

-we aren’t on any benefits but does anyone know of grants or support to insulate (roof, attic, external insulate walls) etc ?
- anyone know if the green scheme will be launched again ? 

- anyone had external wall insulation and if so any good ?

thanks

tacpot12

External wall insulation is good if it is installed correctly. Personally, I would never use a system where render is applied directly over the insulation. I would always have a rainscreen facade installed. These have a gap between the insulation and the render carrying-boards, or other type of facade covering. You also need to pay close attentiong to the eaves overhang. To much external insulation can reduce the overhang to the point where the facade gets wetter than it needs to. 

Bendy_House

Is ext insul good? I guess so.

Is int insul better? Yes. 

Both have pros and cons. The int only one I can think of - reduction in room size. And disruption.

Ext - simple Q; how effective can ext be if there's a cavity? 

chris_n

I live in half way up an Alp in Austria. All of the houses have external wall insulation and have done for many years. Some have timber facades but this is mainly where they want to retain a traditional appearance. Here most houses have quite a large overhang on the roof to provide shade in summer but has the added benefit of keeping rain out. None of them that I have come across have internal insulation.
 As Bendy suggests if hou have a ventilated cavity external insulation won't help but it certainly will if the cavity is sealed. With internal insulation you need to be aware of where the dew point is in the wall structure and think about membranes or breathability if you are to avoid issues with damp.

Bendy_House

Absolutely. If ext insul is designed in from the off, then it'll be just as good as any type.

But I really wonder about the cost, the change in appearance, the effectiveness, of adding it to most houses not designed for it.

Internal insulation just works - end of.

markin

It's easy to seal a cavity is it not and you would have it insulated first or at the same time if the is one surely?

stuart45

I thought it's already been proved that external and internal insulation are both a waste of money, when all you need is to wear 6 pairs of thermals, 4 shirts and trousers,  2 pairs of salopettes, 4 ski jackets, 2overcoats and a poncho to keep warm when the inside temp drops below -50c.

FreeBear

stuart45 said:

I thought it's already been proved that external and internal insulation are both a waste of money, when all you need is to wear 6 pairs of thermals, 4 shirts and trousers,  2 pairs of salopettes, 4 ski jackets, 2overcoats and a poncho to keep warm when the inside temp drops below -50c.

If I want to freeze my nuts/tits (delete as appropriate) off, I'd live in an igloo....

I'd rather live in a warm house that doesn't cost a fortune to heat, which means plenty of insulation - The materials are not really that expensive (under £500 to date), and it gives me reason to redecorate.

Yes, the work is messy and disruptive, but the loss of ~75mm of floor space really isn't noticeable. I consider it a small price to pay.

stuart45

Igloos are said to be quite warm inside, as they they are built different levels, and the cold air stays more are the lower levels.

chris_n

External insulation has the advantage (?) of keeping the thermal mass inside the insulated envelope so providing a more stable temperature which is perfect if you have a low temperature heat source and are at home a lot.
Internal insulation has the advantage (?) of having little thermal mass inside the insulated envelope so heats up much more quickly which is perfect if you are out more than you are in.

Apodemus

chris_n said:

External insulation has the advantage (?) of keeping the thermal mass inside the insulated envelope so providing a more stable temperature which is perfect if you have a low temperature heat source and are at home a lot.
Internal insulation has the advantage (?) of having little thermal mass inside the insulated envelope so heats up much more quickly which is perfect if you are out more than you are in.

Unless, of course, the internal insulation forms part of your thermal mass...