Top Underfloor Insulation Options for UK Homes 2024
As poor underfloor insulation can significantly impact your home's warmth and heating costs in the UK, it is essential to choose the right insulation to improve comfort and reduce expenses. Insulating your underfloor can save you £200 – £400 every year on energy bills. This significant saving highlights the importance of proper insulation in reducing heat loss and maintaining a warm home.
By understanding the different types of underfloor insulation available, you can make an informed decision that meets your needs. In this article, we'll walk you through each of the different underfloor insulation options on the market, their benefits, and key considerations for choosing the right one.
What is Underfloor Insulation?
Underfloor insulation involves placing a barrier of insulating material beneath your floorboards to minimise heat loss and temperature changes in your home. This effectively traps heat, preventing it from escaping and maintaining a stable indoor temperature throughout the year.
Benefits of Underfloor Insulation
Underfloor insulation brings several benefits that can improve the comfort and energy savings of your home. Here are some of them:
Increased Comfort
Underfloor insulation increases the comfort of your home by maintaining a consistent indoor temperature. This means fewer cold drafts and a more comfortable living environment year-round.
Energy Savings
Underfloor insulation can help you save up to £400 every year on your energy bills by trapping heat from escaping through the floor and reducing the need for excessive heating during the colder months.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Underfloor insulation reduces your home's carbon footprint by lowering the need for excessive heating, thereby decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. This helps combat climate change and supports environmental sustainability.
Increased Property Value
Investing in underfloor insulation can increase your property's value. Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers due to lower energy bills and enhanced comfort, making your home a more appealing option in the market.
Moisture Control
Underfloor insulation helps control moisture levels by creating a barrier that stops dampness from leaking through the floor. This reduces the risk of mould and mildew, creating a healthier living environment and protecting the structure of your home.
Noise Reduction
Underfloor insulation also provides soundproofing by reducing noise transmission and absorbing vibrations between floors, resulting in a more peaceful home environment.
Common Types of Underfloor Insulation
Fibreglass Batts:
Fibreglass batts are one of the most commonly used insulation materials due to their affordability and ease of installation. Made from fine glass fibres, they provide excellent thermal performance and soundproofing capabilities. Fibreglass batts are ideal for insulating between floor joists in suspended timber floors, effectively reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency.
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene):
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid foam insulation which is lightweight and offers good thermal performance at an affordable cost. EPS boards are easy to handle and install, making them a popular choice for both DIY projects and professional installations. They are suitable for use in solid floors, providing a solid barrier against heat loss and improving overall energy efficiency.
Spray Foam:
Spray foam insulation is a versatile material that forms a barrier against air by expanding when applied to fill gaps and cracks. This type of insulation can be applied to various underfloor areas, including those that are hard to reach, due to the high thermal performance it offers.
XPS (Extruded Polystyrene):
Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) is a commonly used material in both residential and commercial applications. It is a dense type of rigid foam insulation, known for its durability and high compressive strength. Because of its excellent moisture resistance, it’s a popular material for areas with high humidity or heavy loads.
PIR Insulation Boards:
Polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation boards are a high-performance option for underfloor insulation. When compared to other materials, they provide greater thermal resistance and increased energy efficiency. PIR boards are lightweight, easy to handle, and have good fire resistance properties. They are ideal for achieving high insulation values with minimal thickness, making them a perfect choice for many modern homes.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
DIY Installation
Pros
- Save on labour costs, making it an affordable option for low-income homeowners.
- The installation can be done and completed at your chosen time.
Cons
- Requires a certain level of skill to ensure proper installation.
- Can take more time, especially for those unfamiliar with the process.
- Risk of improper installation, which could reduce the insulation's effectiveness and cause issues like dampness.
Professional Installation
Pros
- Professionals have the experience and knowledge to install insulation correctly and efficiently.
- Quick and efficient installation, minimising disruption to your daily life.
- Can guarantee proper installation and long-term performance.
Cons
- May be more expensive due to labour and installation costs.
Insulation Grants in the UK
Investing in underfloor insulation can be more affordable with the aid of government grants. The UK offers several programs, such as the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), which provide grants to eligible homeowners for free or reduced-cost insulation installations, making these improvements more accessible to a wider range of homeowners.
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Started in April 2023 and running until March 2026, GBIS aims to offer cost-effective insulation solutions to diverse UK households. By supporting the adoption of energy-efficient measures, this scheme significantly enhances access to insulation upgrades.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Effective through March 2026, ECO4 concentrates on improving insulation and heating systems within UK homes, with a focus on aiding low-income, fuel-poor, and vulnerable households. This initiative plays a pivotal role in facilitating energy-saving upgrades, including underfloor insulation, thereby contributing to reduced energy costs, lowered emissions, and enhanced home comfort.
