Underfloor Insulation: What Works & What Doesn’t
Thermal comfort expert, Maurice Beinat, has been on a mission to compare underfloor insulation options for over a decade. When you’ve these photos he’s collected over the years you’ll think twice about what insulation you put under your floor.
Maurice visited hundreds of homes to compare underfloor insulation options, this is what he found…
He wanted to insulate his floor with something that wouldn’t hold moisture; didn’t invite rodents; is held firmly and permanently against the floorboards; and would maintain its shape for the lifetime of the building.
How much to insulate your floor?
Builders Blanket Insulation Secured with Wire Mesh
Underfloor areas are susceptible to moisture. As you can see above, this product is sagging, dropping away and allowing a lot of air leakage due to water damage, making it more and more ineffective as time goes by.
Insulation Batts Held Up with Packing Straps
In order for insulation to really work, it must be held firmly against the floor. As you can see above, this insulation is hugely compromised by the poor installation technique. Packing straps are a very temporary solution, not holding the batts up firmly, allowing air flow and space for rodents to get in!
Fibreglass Bulk Insulation Held Up with Chicken Wire
It’s important to choose a material that isn’t favoured by rodents as nesting material. Over time, the loose fibres in this fibreglass underfloor insulation has allowed it to break down, rodents have carried some of it away and while the chicken wire did stay in place, the material did not.
Reflective Pleated Foil Insulation
Having enough still-air space is very important to getting the best outcome. This silver material is fitted up high against the floorboards and does not allow enough still air space. Installing these zig-zag silver sheets is also extremely difficult because you are trying to match the shapes end-to-end without letting air in the gaps.
Polyester Insulation Stapled Firmly Under the Floor
Specially manufactured in long rolls, this insulation requires fewer joins and is easier to install than ordinary insulation batts. The robust nature of polyester holds its shape over time. When stapled with the ecoMaster technique, at 10cm intervals, the insulation is permanently secured and will not sag over time. This material has strong polyester, heat-bonded fibres. The fibres are aligned across the roll providing incredible strength between the joists.
The rolls have an extra 2cm width (45cm wide) to regular batts to make it even easier to staple in place. Because we do not vacuum pack the insulation every single roll provides the full insulation value.
Polyester Insulation …
| ✓ | does not hold moisture, water passes straight through | |
| ✓ | prevents draught coming up through the floor | |
| ✓ | maintains its form (loft) for the lifetime of your home | |
| ✓ | can be Secured firmly between the joists with staples | |
| ✓ | is Heat-bonded, with no loose fibres to come apart | |
| ✓ | is supplied in long rolls, which means fewer joins, better coverage and easier installation | |
| ✓ | is Non-allergenic material that is safe for your household | |
| ✓ | is Eco-friendly (45% recycled component) | |
| ✓ | is available custom installed or DIY supply! |
Why is Underfloor Insulation Important?
Underfloor insulation makes a huge difference to the comfort of your home in winter and, believe it or not, in the summertime too. That insulating layer keeps your expensive heating and cooling where you need it most. It keeps your energy bills down while you enjoy a home that’s cosy in winter and a cool haven in summer.
But with so many underfloor insulation products available, how can you make sure you get bang-for-buck and that it will continue to benefit you long-term? Take the time to educate yourself and compare underfloor insulation options above before you decide what’s best for your home.
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