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Home Repair Renovating

Internal insulation

last year

I need to insulate a 1700 house which has solid walls. I've used a thermal imaging camera and it is horrific. Simply put, I can't afford to insulate the whole thing but thought I'd start with a couple of rooms that are in the roof space and currently have no insulation on the sloping ceilings which are just plasterboard. Any suggestions please?

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Comments (3)

PRO
i-architect
last year
Hi Jennie,

You've done exactly the right thing to get a thermal imaging survey to see what you have to deal with for starters.

For that age of house you need to make sure that you are using materials that don't cause unexpected damage and that create the results that you are hoping for. What this generally means is using hygroscopic and vapour permeable materials.

If you have plenty of ceiling height where the roof slopes then it is definitely possible to add insulation internally. You do though also need to be careful if you are gradually upgrading thermal performance that each installation you make is going to work well in conjunction with the next and the next - basically you need a holistic and complete strategy to do the full upgrade and then split it down into the affordable steps.

If you'd like me take a look at the thermal images you have and give more specific advice, as well as talk it through and get answers to your questions, then the best way to do this is with my consultation call. You can book that here and it's only £97: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/5c3747e093578b4bd89dbbdf

Best wishes,

Jane

award winning chartered architect

eco-home and conservation area specialist

www,.i-architect.co.uk
Jonathan
2 months ago
You might also consider taking down the lathe and plaster surfaces of the attic rooms, adding insulation and replastering.

There is a reason why people of old had thick curtains. You could reduce drafts with chimney balloons and draft proofing around doors and windows. There are some super heritage windows that are a great replacement for your windows or you could add secondary glazing.

When I owned a 1870s house I found the biggest impact on my bills and my ability to keep the house warm was a new, efficient boiler and some replacement, high output radiators.
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mummyp
2 months ago
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. We've already done many of these things, yet the house just looses heat mostly though the solid walls. I've been told that I can dot and dab insulated plasterboard to some of the walls...but advised not to go too thick so that some heat still passes into the brick wall. The cost of doing the work is compounded by expensive planning permission fees and architects to submit these.

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