Solid Wall Insulation: A Warmer, More Energy-Efficient Home

From winter to summer, it’s important to have a comfortable home. To keep the conditions inside pleasant, insulation is often the best way forward, helping to make the most of your heating efforts. Read on to learn everything you need to know about solid wall insulation, from how it works to its key benefits.

What is Solid Wall Insulation? 

For some older homes, there is no cavity between the wall indoors and outside, allowing heat to easily escape through and making them less energy efficient. Solid wall insulation, thankfully, aims to solve this issue. Solid wall insulation is where a material layer is added to the internal or external wall, preventing heat from escaping during the cooler months. 

Identifying a Solid Wall

While all walls feel fairly solid, the matter of determining whether there is a cavity can be slightly more complicated. The first way you can identify a solid wall is through wall thickness, as it’s likely that you have a solid wall if it’s less than 260mm thick. Homes that have been built before the 1930s are also more likely to have solid walls.

Types of Solid Wall Insulation

There are two key types of solid wall insulation to choose from, known as external wall insulation and internal wall insulation. Learn about them both in the following section, from their key differences to their quality. 

Internal Wall Insulation

One popular option for homeowners looking to insulate their property is internal wall insulation. Insulating materials are fitted to the internal walls, which creates a thermal barrier that can then prevent heat loss. Typically, this will then be covered by plaster or by drywall.

External Wall Insulation

In contrast to internal wall insulation, external wall insulation sees insulating material fitted on the outside wall. By fitting the material to the external wall, a solid barrier is created against heat loss. The insulation can then be covered by some form of rendering or cladding to cover it.