Home Insulation
Radiant barriers are installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss. In new buildings, you can select foil-faced wood products for your roof sheathing (installed with the foil facing down into the attic) or other locations to provide the radiant barrier as an integral part of the structure. For existing buildings, the radiant barrier is typically fastened across the bottom of joists, as shown in this drawing. All radiant barriers must have a low emittance (0.1 or less) and high reflectance (0.9 or more).
Using strips and excluders to draught proof gaps around door and window frames can save you around £30 a year on heating bills. With gaps filled, less cold air can enter your home. Several types of materials are used for draught proofing, including brushes, foams, sealants, strips and shaped rubber or plastic.
Draught proofing is an easy and cost-effective way for owners and tenants to reduce heat loss, with most materials available from DIY stores. Many of the sealant strips are self-adhesive, and fitting brushes to doors or letterboxes is a simple DIY task. If you live in rented accommodation, ask permission from your landlord before doing any work.
Floor insulation includes adding insulation under floorboards and using a sealant to fill spaces where floor meets skirting board to save yourself around £60 each year. Timber floors can be insulated by lifting the floorboards and laying mineral wool insulation supported by netting between the joists. Be careful not to block underfloor airbricks in your outside walls, as areas under floors require ventilation to prevent damp and condensation.
Loft insulation acts as a blanket, trapping rising heat in the house. Without loft insulation you could be losing as much as 25% of your heat through your roof, so this type of insulation is a simple and effective way to reduce your heating bills. You can even do it yourself with a bit of planning. Glasswool is the most cost-effective and widely
Using strips and excluders to draught proof gaps around door and window frames can save you around £30 a year on heating bills. With gaps filled, less cold air can enter your home. Several types of materials are used for draught proofing, including brushes, foams, sealants, strips and shaped rubber or plastic.
Draught proofing is an easy and cost-effective way for owners and tenants to reduce heat loss, with most materials available from DIY stores. Many of the sealant strips are self-adhesive, and fitting brushes to doors or letterboxes is a simple DIY task. If you live in rented accommodation, ask permission from your landlord before doing any work.
Floor insulation includes adding insulation under floorboards and using a sealant to fill spaces where floor meets skirting board to save yourself around £60 each year. Timber floors can be insulated by lifting the floorboards and laying mineral wool insulation supported by netting between the joists. Be careful not to block underfloor airbricks in your outside walls, as areas under floors require ventilation to prevent damp and condensation.
Loft insulation acts as a blanket, trapping rising heat in the house. Without loft insulation you could be losing as much as 25% of your heat through your roof, so this type of insulation is a simple and effective way to reduce your heating bills. You can even do it yourself with a bit of planning. Glasswool is the most cost-effective and widely