Floor insulation is an efficient way to keep your house
warm and lower the energy bills at the same time. Improving your underfloor insulation could save you a lot of money every year, regardless of whether you
have a a concrete floor or suspended wooden floor. The money you pay for the
insulation will be all worth it.
What Type Of Floor
Does Your Home Have?
There are two methods to determine what type of floor you
have:
1.
If you cannot see the space underneath the
flooring or has no access to it, then you will need to lift a corner of the
underlay or carpet.
2.
If your home has a cellar or basement, then
you may see some wooden joists and the undersides below the floorboards. If it
is the case, your home has a suspended timber floor. Most likely, you also have
a suspended timber floor if there are ventilation bricks below floor level
outside your home.
Timber Floor
Insulation
Before you start with the underfloor insulation, make
sure to repair any damage from infestation, damp, or rot first.
You can fit between the flooring joists solid insulation
boards or mineral fiber rolls, which are similar to the ones that are used to insulate
lofts. You need to fit the insulation securely between the joists if your floor
is above a basement or an unheated cellar. Secure them in place with the use
netting whenever necessary. After that, you need to fix the plasterboard to the
basement ceiling to provide fire resistance.
If you are unable to access your floor from below, you
need to remove the floorboards so you can place the insulation. You can prevent
draughts if you seal the gaps along the skirting and between the floorboards.
As another option, you can attach the chipboard or hardboard on top of them.
Make sure that the new underfloor insulation does not block ventilation
openings such as air bricks.
Concrete Floor
Insulation
If you decide to replace your floor, it is the right time
to upgrade your insulation. After all, a part of complying with the building
regulations is to upgrade the floor insulation. You can add insulation
underneath a new one or over the existing concrete slab.
When you switch the heating on, the rooms will warm up
faster if you place the insulation above the slab. Some of the best materials
to insulate an existing concrete slab floor are hard insulation boards. At any
given thickness, these provide the best thermal performance.
Building Regulations
As a homeowner, you are responsible for the changes that
you make to your home. Remember to comply with the building regulations. If you
want to add underfloor insulation to your existing floor, take into
consideration some factors. For example, the ground-floor areas should meet the
minimum height of the room. You also need to obtain minimum U-values as well as
ensure to avoid the risk of fire. You can consult with a building control
officer about it before you proceed with the project.
