Underfloor Insulation

Experience warmth like never before with our underfloor insulation Services, fully covered by the ECO4 Scheme

Understand Underfloor Insulation

Underfloor insulation is a method of insulating the space between the ground and a suspended floor. It protects your home from the external air by banning its entry. Typically, suspended timber floors consist of floorboards laid on top of timber joists. These draughts are often slightly reduced by liners laid below timber or laminate floor finishes. However, these do not stop the draughts completely because the edges are not typically taped to make them airtight. Underfloor insulation will seal these gaps and help your home heat up faster and retain the heat longer. It saves you money on your energy costs. Besides keeping you warm in the winter; underfloor insulation does wonders in the summer. It cools your home in the summer and prevents heat from rising from the ground below.

Why to Opt for Underfloor Insulation?

Adding underfloor insulation to an existing home is straightforward. In order to get into the space beneath the floor, use an access hatch. Hang nets below the floor, and then fill them with quality insulation. If you do not have an access hatch, you can create the one, usually in a cupboard out of the way. With the price of gas soaring, now is the time to make sure your home is properly insulated, and the underfloor is a great place to start. Many people may have already got cavity wall insulation and overlooked their floors. There are grants available to have your floor insulated - get in touch with us here to discuss funding options.

The Right Approach for Installing Underfloor Insulation

To install underfloor insulation, three aspects are important: keeping the heat in, managing moisture, and preventing draughts from sneaking in. First, you'll need a thermal performer. This is an insulation material that traps heat effectively and keeps your home warm. Next, recruit a moisture controller, a material that absorbs and releases water vapour. It also prevents dampness and mould. Finally, engage an air tightness expert, a barrier that seals up gaps and cracks, eliminating draughts and wind washing.

Think Before You Start

Before you start insulating your floor, you need to make sure the area is ready. This means lifting the floorboards so you can see the joists and the wooden beams that support your floor. Check the joists for any damage or defects, and fix them if necessary.

If the joists are resting on exposed clay or soil, you should lay a vapour barrier to prevent moisture from rising into your home.

Creating a Breathable, Airtight Haven

Now, it’s time to make your underfloor space warm and comfortable. Cover the joists with a special material that lets air through but blocks out drafts and moisture. This material will create spaces where you can put insulation.

Insulating with Natural Wonders

For your insulation, choose a high-quality, natural material like sheep’s wool, wood fibre, or Jute insulation. These materials act like nature’s air conditioners, helping to control moisture by absorbing and slowly releasing it when humidity levels change.

Adding the Final Touches

To finish off your insulation project, add a layer of vapour control material on top of the underfloor insulation. Make sure to tape all the overlaps and edges properly, including the area where the floor meets the walls. Finally, put your flooring back down, and you'll have transformed your drafty floors into a warm and cosy retreat. While for 2-3 bedrooms, the average price of an Air-to-Air Heat Pump is £1,500 – £3,500, the price of an Air-to-Water Heat Pump is £8,000 – £18,000. As mentioned earlier, these are average figures. You can contact a local installer for a quote. However, utilizing the UK government’s ECO4 Scheme can result in a £7,500 grant deducted from your installer's total costs.

Underfloor Insulation Grants

Under the UK Government’s ECO4 funding scheme, a qualified professional will check if your property is suitable. Even if your ceiling and walls are insulated, up to 20% of your heating escapes through the floor.

Check Your Property Type

If you have a basement or cellar, you likely have a suitable suspended floor for UFI. Sloping properties may also qualify.

Older homes often have suspended timber ground floors, losing more heat as they’re over a void of cold air.

Air or ventilation bricks on outside walls could indicate a suitable suspended floor for UFI.

Underfloor Insulation Cost and Savings

Underfloor insulation can range from £300 to £1200, focusing on insulating the ground floor. Thanks to various government grants, you may get your underfloor insulation installed free of cost.

Furthermore, the table below illustrates statistics from the Energy Saving Trust showcasing average annual energy savings based on your house type:

Type	Price
Detached house	£65
Semi-detached house	£40
Mid-terraced house	£25
Bungalow	£60

You may check your eligibility for government grants related to underfloor insulation here.

Ready to ditch the drafts and embrace cosy comfort?

Contact Berks Insulation today! We'll show you how underfloor insulation can transform your home into a haven of warmth, savings, and sustainability.