Real homeowner questions, answered.
A growing library of straight answers to the eco-home questions UK homeowners are actually asking, with figures cited from Ofgem, gov.uk and the Energy Saving Trust.
Home Insulation 47
Filter to this category →-
How long does cavity wall insulation guarantee last?
The typical cavity wall insulation guarantee lasts 25 years from the date of installation, provided the work is carried out by a certified installer…
-
How long to install cavity wall insulation?
Cavity wall insulation typically takes between two and three hours for a standard three-bedroom semi-detached house, according to the Energy Saving…
-
How much is cavity wall insulation removal?
Cavity wall insulation removal costs typically range from £500 to £2,500 depending on property size and complexity, with the average being around…
-
Is cavity wall insulation safe?
For most UK homes, cavity wall insulation is safe when correctly installed by a certified installer using the right material for your property's…
-
How long does loft insulation last?
Loft insulation does not have a fixed expiry date, but its effectiveness gradually declines. Mineral wool and glass fibre insulation typically last…
-
Permitted development for rear conservatories in the UK 2026
A single-storey rear conservatory is usually permitted development in the UK, meaning you do not need planning permission, provided it meets strict…
-
Park home insulation grants in the UK 2026
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. Key…
-
How does cavity wall insulation behave in flood-risk UK areas?
Cavity wall insulation can be problematic in flood-risk UK areas because it retains water, leading to damp and structural damage, especially if the…
-
Insulating a stone-built Scottish home
Insulating a stone-built Scottish home is possible but requires a breathable approach, with costs typically ranging from £8,000 to £25,000 depending…
-
Insulating a UK 1970s ex-council house
The most effective single insulation measure for a 1970s ex-council house is cavity-wall insulation, which can reduce heat loss by up to 35%, saving…
-
Insulating a UK Victorian solid-wall terrace, what works best?
Internal wall insulation (IWI) works best for a UK Victorian solid-wall terrace, typically cutting heat loss by up to 45% and saving around £295 per…
-
Is garden room insulation needed for year-round use in the UK?
Yes, garden room insulation is essential for year-round use in the UK. Without it, even a well-built garden room becomes unusable in winter and…
-
What insulation works best with trickle vents?
Mineral wool insulation works best with trickle vents because its fibrous, open structure allows air to pass through while still providing thermal…
-
Are there health concerns with mineral wool insulation?
Mineral wool insulation is generally considered safe for UK homes when installed correctly, though there are specific health precautions to follow.…
-
What is the best insulation for a UK new build in 2026?
The best insulation for a UK new build in 2026 is a combination of rigid PIR (polyisocyanurate) foam boards for walls and floors, and mineral wool…
-
Is chimney draught proofing worth it in a UK home?
Yes, chimney draught proofing is worth it for most UK homes, typically saving around £25 to £60 per year on heating bills by stopping warm air…
-
How can I draught proof old sash windows without replacing them?
Draught proofing old sash windows without replacing them is possible and can reduce heat loss by up to 20%, according to the Energy Saving Trust…
-
What is the best way to draught proof a UK front door?
The best way to draught proof a UK front door is to combine a brush strip for the bottom gap with self-adhesive foam strips for the sides and top,…
-
How effective is hot water cylinder insulation?
Hot water cylinder insulation is highly effective, reducing heat loss by up to 80% and saving a typical household £50-£80 a year on energy bills,…
-
Is solid floor insulation worth retrofitting in a UK home?
Solid floor insulation is worth retrofitting in a UK home, typically saving around £110–£160 per year on heating bills for a detached property…
-
How much does suspended timber floor insulation cost in the UK?
The typical cost to insulate a suspended timber floor in a UK home ranges from £1,200 to £2,500 for a standard 50m² area, including materials and…
-
Does internal wall insulation cause moisture problems in UK homes?
Yes, internal wall insulation can cause moisture problems in UK homes if installed without a proper vapour control layer or ventilation strategy, but…
-
What render finishes are available for external wall insulation?
External wall insulation (EWI) render finishes typically include silicone, acrylic, mineral, and monocouche renders, with silicone being the most…
-
How do you fix thermal bridges in a UK home?
The most effective way to fix a thermal bridge in a UK home is to apply continuous external or internal insulation that fully wraps around the…
-
Is phenolic insulation better than PIR for UK walls?
The most searched comparison shows phenolic insulation achieves around 20% better thermal performance per square metre than PIR for UK walls,…
-
What is the difference between PIR and PUR insulation boards?
PIR (polyisocyanurate) and PUR (polyurethane) insulation boards differ primarily in thermal performance and fire resistance, with PIR boards…
-
How effective is loft hatch insulation?
Loft hatch insulation is highly effective, reducing heat loss by up to 25% through the loft opening, according to the Energy Saving Trust (Energy…
-
Is pipe insulation worth fitting in a UK home?
Yes, pipe insulation is worth fitting in a UK home; it can save the average household around £20 per year on heating bills and prevent up to 30% of…
-
Does internal wall insulation reduce room size in UK homes?
Yes, internal wall insulation typically reduces room size by 50–100 mm per wall, depending on the system used. For a standard 4 m x 5 m room, this…
-
Can I DIY install insulation in the UK?
No, you cannot legally DIY install most types of insulation in the UK without complying with Building Regulations, and for cavity wall or spray foam…
-
Can insulation cause damp or mould in UK homes?
Yes, insulation can cause damp and mould in UK homes if it is incorrectly installed or combined with poor ventilation. The Energy Saving Trust states…
-
Insulation thickness requirements under UK Building Regulations 2026
Under UK Building Regulations 2026, the minimum loft insulation thickness is 270mm, and for cavity walls it is typically 100mm to 150mm depending on…
-
What is the best insulation for a UK Victorian terrace?
Spray foam insulation is the best insulation for a UK Victorian terrace because it delivers the highest airtightness and U-value improvement per inch…
-
What is the best insulation for a 1930s UK semi-detached house?
The best insulation for a 1930s UK semi-detached house is a combination of cavity wall insulation (if the cavity is clear) and 300 mm+ of mineral…
-
Sheep wool vs mineral wool insulation – which is better for UK homes?
The most important performance difference is that sheep wool insulation has a thermal conductivity of 0.038–0.042 W/mK compared to mineral wool's…
-
Is spray foam insulation a problem when selling a UK house?
Yes, spray foam insulation can be a significant problem when selling a UK house, with many mortgage lenders refusing loans on properties where it has…
-
What are the UK U-value targets for insulation in 2026?
In 2026, the UK U-value targets for building fabric insulation are 0.18 W/m²K for walls, 0.11 W/m²K for roofs, and 0.13 W/m²K for floors in new…
-
What grants are available for external wall insulation in the UK in 2026?
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. Key…
-
How much does loft insulation cost per square metre in the UK in 2026?
Loft insulation costs between £10 and £30 per square metre installed in 2026, depending on material and thickness, according to the Energy Saving…
-
Can I install internal wall insulation myself in the UK?
Yes, you can install internal wall insulation yourself in the UK, but it is a technically demanding job that requires careful planning to avoid damp…
-
What thickness of loft insulation is recommended in the UK?
The recommended thickness for loft insulation in the UK is 270mm for mineral wool, or an equivalent thermal resistance (U-value) of 0.16 W/m²K for…
-
How long does loft insulation last before it needs replacing?
Loft insulation typically lasts 40 years or more before it needs replacing, though its effectiveness can degrade sooner due to compression, dampness,…
-
Is cavity wall insulation worth it for a 1960s UK house?
Yes, cavity wall insulation is typically worth it for a 1960s UK house, saving a typical semi-detached home around £395 per year on heating bills…
-
How much does loft insulation cost in the UK 2026?
The cost of loft insulation in the UK in 2026 typically ranges from £300 to £700 for a standard three-bedroom semi-detached house, depending on…
-
How long does cavity wall insulation take to install?
Cavity wall insulation typically takes a professional installer around two hours to complete for an average three-bedroom semi-detached home (Energy…
-
When did cavity wall insulation become compulsory in the uk?
Cavity wall insulation has never been made compulsory for existing homes in the UK, but it has been effectively mandatory for most new-build…
-
How much loft insulation is too much?
For most UK homes, exceeding 270 mm of mineral wool loft insulation offers negligible additional energy savings, making anything beyond that point…
Written and edited by a named human
Each entry is written and edited by Ian Duncan, the site's founder. Costs and grant figures are cited from gov.uk, Ofgem and the Energy Saving Trust. Read more about the site.