Cavity Wall Insulation
There are two significant types of cavity wall insulation including partial fill cavity wall insulation and full fill cavity wall insulation – each type of application has different advantages designed to suit specific building and their requirements. Aim for a greener future whilst saving money and adding value to your home by investing in solutions that are energy efficient such as cavity wall insulation.
Pros of Cavity Wall Insulation
- Saves money on monthly energy bills by regulating the heat levels that transfer in and out of the property
- Boards dimensions are designed for ease of installation to fit between wall ties without cutting
- Wall insulation can be installed using two different types of insulation application methods – partial fill and full fill
- Helps to embrace sustainability and protect the environment, promoting eco-friendly living
- Insulation will help to meet health and safety building regulations
- Cavity wall insulation helps to create stable indoor temperatures which will increase comfort and reduce drafts and cold spots
- Reduces risk of moisture build up and likelihood of damp build up on the internal walls
- Once installed, cavity wall insulation requires little maintenance if any at all
- Suitable for new build projects and extensions in circumstances where the install is applied as the wall is being built
- Cavity wall insulation is installed within the walls and will not eat into the interior space
Cons of Cavity Wall Insulation
- The upfront costs of cavity wall insulation materials can be expensive depending on the size of the property and the materials used
- If not installed correctly, it can cause issues with moisture penetration, by trapping moisture resulting in condensation and damp build up
- Properties that are made up of unique materials may not be suitable for cavity wall insulation boards
- Once installed, the only way to inspect the insulation would require an invasive method and can be expensive
- Poor installation can lead to cold spots and reduce effectiveness
- Once the walls are built, installing cavity wall insulation can be tricky which means cavity wall boards may not be suitable for renovation projects on existing buildings
- Cavity wall insulation can slow down the construction time frame
Partial Fill Cavity Wall Insulation
Partial fill Cavity wall board is an insulation material that only fills a portion of the wall’s cavity, partial fill insulation leaves gap for air flow between the insulation and the outer masonry wall of around 50mm. The gap is designed to act as a protective barrier to prevent external moisture from reaching the internal side of the wall and affecting the walls’ structure. The partial fill boards and slabs are made to be installed against the outer leaf of the wall without deflating or loosing shape.
Partial fill cavity wall boards are available in thinner thicknesses, typically ranging from 40mm to 100mm, and can extend up to 150mm. The design of these boards is thinner as they are made to fill part of the cavity, not the entire cavity.
The partial fill cavity wall insulation boards usually feature a squared edge, allowing the boards to be tightly butted together to avoid gaps and reduce thermal bridging.
If you are looking for partial fill cavity wall insulation, you can purchase Celotex Cavity Wall Insulation directly from us.
Benefits of Partial Fill Cavity Wall Insulation
- More affordable than full fill insulation materials
- Partial fill insulation can be more accessible and easier to source due to the wide range of materials available
- The air gap enhances moisture protection by acting as a barrier to water reaching the inner wall
- Reduces the risk of damp, mould, and condensation issues caused by moisture
- Excellent thermal performance particularly when using foam board insulation materials such as PIR or Phenolic boards
- Reduces the chance of water transfer
Disadvantages of Partial Fill Cavity Wall Insulation
- Partial fill applications may leave air gaps causing reduced effectiveness in thermal quality if installed incorrectly
- May provide lower levels of thermal efficiency in comparison to full fill applications
- Can cause a direct pathway between the interior and exterior of the building
- When leaving an air gap, the width of the wall in its entirety may need to be increased, potentially taking up internal space
- The precise positioning of the insulation to maintain an air gap can mean the installation process is more complicated
- May require insulation with higher performance levels to match the energy efficiency of a full fill cavity wall
Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation
Full fill cavity wall boards are insulation materials that completely fill the cavity with insulation, filling the gap between the inner and outer leaf of the wall creating a continuous thermal barrier. These insulated materials are made to maintain their shape and remain between the wall ties without slipping or deteriorating over time.
Full fill cavity wall boards start from wider thickness ranging from 90mm to 140mm as the boards are required to fill the entire cavity space. The full fill cavity wall insulation boards are available in a squared edge to tightly butt the insulation boards together or in a tongue-and-groove edge to interlock the boards, eliminating the need for tape at the seams, enhancing thermal performance.
If you are looking for full fill cavity wall insulation, then you can purchase either Celotex Thermaclass Cavity Wall 21 as well as Kingspan K106 Cavity Wall Board from us.
Benefits of Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation
- Prevents a direct pathway between the interior and exterior of the building also known as thermal bridging
- Eliminates air gapes and reduces heat loss
- Quicker and easier to install in comparison to partial fill cavity insulation
- Provides high levels of energy efficiency by lessening the amount of heat that escapes and negatively impacts the environment
- Will reduce heating and cooling costs over time by keeping hot air from heating in and hot air from the sun out
- The continuous layer of insulation with no air gap between walls will maximise thermal efficiency
- Simplified installation process as the space for the air gap is not required
Disadvantages of Full Fill Cavity Wall Insulation
- The thickness of cavity insulation boards can cause problems when installed around existing windows and doors
- Requires a more precise application when installing to avoid thermal bridging between in the inner and outer leaf of the wall
- Without an air gap there is a risk of moisture penetration from the outer wall, if water is absorbed it can reduce the boards or slabs performance and potentially reach the internal wall resulting in damp
- No air gap can make the insulation less effective in preventing moisture from getting through the entire wall from the outside to the inside
Cavity Wall Insulation FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions we get on cavity wall insulation.
How much can I save on energy bills with Cavity Wall Insulation?
Cavity wall insulation when installed correctly can reduce your energy bills by up to 30% over the year depending on how much energy you use and the size of the property. It may take some time see the reflection in your monthly energy bills.
How long do Cavity Wall Boards Last?
Cavity wall insulation materials are design to last for as long as the building does due to their hard-to-reach areas of application, which is generally up to 60 years.
What material type is used for cavity wall insulation boards?
Cavity wall insulation boards are made up either a polyisocyanurate (PIR) board with low emissivity foil facing or a phenolic core with glass fibre facings. Cavity wall insulation materials can also be found in the form of mineral wool insulation slabs.
What are the different types of Cavity wall insulation?
The different types of cavity wall insulation materials include:
- Cavity wall insulation boards
- Blown mineral fibre
- Polystyrene beads or granules
- Urea formaldehyde foam
How do I know if my home has cavity wall insulation?
By the looking at the brick pattern from the cavity wall you can generally tell if you wall has a cavity. If the bricks sit in a brick bonded pattern displaying the length of every brick, this is more than likely a cavity wall. If the wall shows a mixture of the bricks both lengthways and widthways, we will assume this is a solid wall.
Where the Best Place to Buy Cavity Wall insulation?
The best place to purchase cavity wall insulation is here at insulationboard.co.uk. On our website, we offer our best prices available as well as live lead times.