Insulating your solid walls will cut your heating costs considerably, because solid walls let through twice as much heat as cavity walls do. If your home was built before 1919, its external walls are probably solid rather than cavity walls. Cavity walls are made of two layers with a small gap or ‘cavity’ between them. Solid walls have no gap, so they let more heat through. Another way to tell is b
y measuring the width of the wall. Look at an external wall window or door and if the brick wall is less than 260mm, then it is likely a solid wall, while if it is greater, it is probably a cavity wall. Find out about insulating your cavity wall. If you live in a house that is not made from bricks, such as a steel or timber-framed building, insulating will be different. Find out more from the National Insulation Association. Benefits of EWI:
can be applied without disruption to the household
does not reduce the floor area of your home
renews the appearance of outer walls
improves weatherproofing and sound resistance. fills cracks and gaps in the brickwork, which will reduce draughts
increases the life of your walls by protecting the brickwork
reduces condensation on internal walls and can help prevent damp (but will not solve rising or penetration damp)
is best installed at the same time as external refurbishment work to reduce the cost
may need planning permission – check with your local council
requires good access to the outer walls
is not recommended if the outer walls are structurally unsound and cannot be repaired
