DIY: How to Restore and Repair Your House

How to Improve the Thermal Insulation of Your Home

22 February 2017

Cecil Bryant

Due to the perils of climate change, many of us are taking steps to reduce our carbon footprints. Chief among these measures — for homeowners, at least — is reducing the amount of energy that is lost from the home because of inadequate insulation. Thermal coverings of many kinds are fitted to newly built dwellings these days and many of them can be easily retro-fitted to existing homes, too. If you are undertaking any DIY project or renovating a section of your home, then consider the following ecologically sound building supplies.

Insulated plasterboard is one of the most popular new eco-products fitted to buildings these days. There are several manufacturers of insulating boards that are just as easy to skim over as normal plaster boarding. The insulation comes from one side of the plasterboard being coated with a composite foil. Although you need take care when cutting it to size, boards of this type are highly versatile and will mount onto conventional wooden frames and battens.

Cellulose insulation is a great green material because not only will it help to trap the heat you create in your home, but it is made from a recycled material in the first place. It is primarily formed from old newspaper that has been degraded to a coarse material before it becomes pulp. The insulating material can then be blown into wall cavities or damp-sprayed in between the joists of a floor or a loft. Inorganic salts are mixed with it at the production stage so that the cellulose is able to withstand potential problems, such as fire and insect infestations.

Pipe insulation products are also sought after in homes these days. Hot water is often passed from a boiler in a home's garage to where it is needed: principally, the bathroom and the central heating system. The further hot water has to travel in a plumbing system, the greater the thermal losses will be. Therefore, encasing pipes in insulating materials, such as EPDM rubber, polyethylene and nitrile rubber, makes sense. Manufacturers tend to produce circular insulating products that can be cut to length with a handsaw easily and then clipped onto the hot water pipes.

Tertiary glazing is another popular choice for ecologically conscious house builders. Although double-glazed windows are more commonplace, triple-glazing is better at keeping heat inside your home where it belongs. Three panes of glass produce twin insulating layers between them, which makes conducted heat loss much less likely. However, it comes in heavier units that need sufficiently strong walls to be able to accommodate them.

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