Is internal wall insulation worth it? Your top questions answered

Is Internal wall insulation worth it?

7th April 2021

Are you considering internal wall insulation but worried about the cost or hassle of tackling this home improvement measure? In our latest blog our experts at Zing Energy consider is internal wall insulation worth it?

What is internal wall insulation?

One of the best ways of both reducing heat loss and keeping your home cool in summer is treating external walls internally with insulation. This is also known as dry lining. Exactly the requirement will depend on the property, with options ranging from a simple ‘dot and dab’ approach to a more complex fitting of a vapour barrier. The good news is this form of insulation is suitable for any property type and provides a beautiful look and feel to the interior of a property. Working with the right experts means this is hassle free compared to some other measures. We work with all of the leading brands and we will make an assessment and decide on the best approach for your property.

Do internal walls need insulation?

Without this type of insulation heat can easily escape through the walls meaning you are ending up paying more for heating due to the inefficient heat retention. In winter, insulated walls retain the heat and prevent warmth from escaping. What a lot of people also don’t realise is that internal wall insulation can also keep your home cool in warmer months. This is because the dry lining will also reduce the heat coming through the walls meaning the property won’t overheat when the sun is shining.

What is the best internal wall insulation?

Careful consideration needs to go into internal wall insulation. Zing’s experts will work with you to decide on the best product for your property. It is important to have the right product depending on the wall. For some it might be a two-stage process involving fitting insulating material to the inner surface of your walls. This is then followed by a vapour barrier protecting the insulation against air penetration. For others it might be a dry lined system which is ‘a dot and dab’ to the wall, we then stick plasterboard to the walls with fixings and then plaster over.

How much does internal wall insulation cost?

Prices vary depending on the number of walls that you want to insulate. There are a variety of grants available meaning you might be able to get the work fitted for a substantial discount or possibly even for free. This includes the Eco Scheme and the LAD (Local Authority Delivery) scheme.

Can internal wall insulation cause damp?

Internal wall insulation won’t cause damp when installed correctly. However it shouldn’t be installed if there is a problem with damp as rising/penetrating damp will be seen. This means you will potentially need to reinstall if the problem isn’t dealt with. When we view a property we would look to rectify any damp problem first. Internal wall insulation will however reduce condensation, which many people wrongly assume is damp. Condensation occurs when hot and cold air collide. Having a vapour barrier means condensation gets reduced. It is also important to have a correctly ventilated property. Additionally, we now do an air test on a property before and after. We look at the levels of ventilation required and plan accordingly. We ensure any work has a direct improving impact, using the correct material for the correct building. Proper ventilation will stop mould and condensation even if you keep windows closed.

So, is internal wall insulation worth it?

As much as 35% of heat loss occurs through insufficiently insulated walls. Therefore installing a thermal layer inside the home can significantly reduce your energy bills. It will improve ventilation and reduce condensation and working with the right experts mean you can make it hassle free. Additionally having an expert finish means the inside of any property will look brand new. Over several years you can easily pay back any set up costs as well as lower your carbon footprint. Furthermore you may well be eligible for a grant meaning your costs for installation could be minimal.

Get in contact to find out more about this effective and hassle free energy efficiency measure.

Emily and James creative