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--- insu:insulation [2025/12/05 10:15] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ insu:insulation [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Insulation
+This topic is part of [[gt:buildings|Buildings & construction]] and [[gt:power|Power & heating]].
+====== Insulation ======
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-## What is insulation?
+===== What is insulation? =====
 It's any material that slows down the rate at which heat is lost through the fabric of your building (although it can also mean sound or fire insulation, or keeping heat out, we're talking about keeping heat in). Air is actually the insulator, and the material is a way of trapping air. For example, you may sleep under a duvet containing eider (duck) feathers. The feathers trap air, which retains your body heat and keeps you warm (the feathers do exactly the same job on the duck too). Insulation can be in your loft; on interior walls, exterior walls or in the cavity between walls; under floors; or around pipes and hot water cylinders. It can be made from a wide range of materials, some natural (e.g. sheep's wool or [hemp](/hemp/hemp_building)) and some synthetic (e.g. polystyrene or fibreglass), that will come in different thicknesses, and with different methods of installation.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/insulation-internal.jpg)
 <caption>
- Installing internal wall insulation.
+ _Installing internal wall insulation._
 </caption>
 </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/insulation-sheep.jpg)
 <caption>
- Sheep’s wool insulation under a floor.
+ _Sheep’s wool insulation under a floor._
 </caption>
 </figure>
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-## What are the benefits of insulation?
+===== What are the benefits of insulation? =====
 It will reduce the amount of heat you need to generate, and therefore save energy, along with the associated pollutants and emissions.
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 ![hemp insulation](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/insulation-hemp.jpg)
 <caption>
- Some building materials are themselves very insulating, such as hempcrete – here being used to insulate a roof; and straw bale walls have an exceptionally good U-value (0.13).
+ _Some building materials are themselves very insulating, such as hempcrete – here being used to insulate a roof; and straw bale walls have an exceptionally good U-value (0.13)._
 </caption>
 </figure>
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-## What can I do?
+===== What can I do? =====
 You'll have to consider issues around breathability, budget and the space available. It's best to start by making sure you have adequate loft insulation, for the simple reason that heat rises. If wall insulation seems too expensive, don't despair - you can achieve a lot with loft insulation, underfloor insulation if possible, and draughtproofing of windows, doors, letterbox, keyholes etc. If money is tight, you might consider this order: loft, draughtproofing, underfloor, walls. In your loft, insulate between the joists of the floor if the loft isn't used, and between the roof rafters if it is. You can add batts (slabs) or rolls of synthetic or natural insulation, or you can pour in loose-fill material such as Warmcel between the joists - it comes in bags and is made from treated, recycled newspaper. Don't remove any mineral wool insulation that's there already - put extra insulation over the top of it. And don't forget to attach some insulation to the loft hatch too.
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 ![Warmcel](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/insulation-loft.jpeg)
 <caption>
- Warmcel recycled newspaper, loose-fill insulation poured into a loft.
+ _Warmcel recycled newspaper, loose-fill insulation poured into a loft._
 </caption>
 </figure>
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 ![Cavity wall insulation](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/insulation-wall.jpg)
 <caption>
- Cavity wall insulation: holes are drilled through the mortar all over the walls, fibreglass-based insulation is pumped in, and the holes are sealed with cement.
+ _Cavity wall insulation: holes are drilled through the mortar all over the walls, fibreglass-based insulation is pumped in, and the holes are sealed with cement._
 </caption>
 </figure>
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 Grants: contact your local authority - they should be able to tell you if there are any local or national grants for insulation available. Also check the [Energy Saving Trust](http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/) and [Government Grants](https://www.government-grants.co.uk/) websites.
-## Further resources
+===== Forum =====
+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:buildings|Buildings & construction]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/buildings).
-## Specialists
+It is also in the section [[gt:power|Power & heating]] (Forum: [Power & heating](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/power)).
+===== Further resources =====
+- [National Insulation Association](https://www.nia-uk.org/)
+- [Warmcel](https://www.warmcel.co.uk/) - cellulose fibre insulation
+- [Thermafleece](https://thermafleece.com/) - sheep's wool insulation
+- [Understanding U-values](https://builddesk.co.uk/software/builddesk-u/understanding-u-values/)
+- [U values of typical building methods & materials](https://www.diydata.com/information/u_values/u_values.php)
+- [Energy Saving Trust](https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/reducing-home-heat-loss/) - all about home insulation
+===== Related topics =====
+- [[ensa:Energy saving]]
+- [[diys:DIY]]
+- [[retf:retrofitting|Retrofitting & refurbishment]]
+- [[roof:Roofing]]
+- [[pltf:Plant fibres]]
+- [[shep:Sheep]]
+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====