Underfloor insulation plays an important role in making a house energy efficient. Not only will underfloor insulation maintain the temperatures in your living spaces for comfort, but it could also help save heating and lower your carbon footprint as well. This blog outlines all the best options available on underfloor insulation and various advantages each of these will hold. Which grant is perfect for you to have just the home you wish is discussed below.
Investing in underfloor insulation is one smart move that homeowners can take to reduce heating costs by improving energy efficiency. The average home can save around £200, 10% of annual bills, depending on the type of insulation and size of a home. With energy costs still rising, the savings possible from insulation keep growing.
Types of Underfloor Insulation
The type of floor you have will determine the right underfloor insulation to choose. Here are some of the most common types of insulation used for underfloor areas.
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is one of the more common and affordable options available to many homeowners. It generally consists of small glass fibers that can easily be unrolled as blankets between the floor joists.
This is the best type of insulation for suspended timber floors, which are common in older properties. Their benefits include:
- Reasonable price
- Easy installation.
- Good R-value.
- Helps make your home more soundproof.
Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam is a dependable option. In use, the material expands to fill gaps and create a solid air barrier. There are two main types: open-cell and closed-cell.
Open-cell Spray Foam:
- High expansion.
- High R-value, up to 4 per inch.
- More budget-friendly compared to closed-cell.
- Long life-span.
Closed-cell Spray Foam:
- Much denser and compact
- Higher R-value, up to twice that of open-cell foam
- Superior moisture resistance
- Is considered expensive compared to other options available in the market.
Spray foam insulation works effectively for difficult-to-reach areas and will work much more efficiently in enhancing your home’s energy efficiency.
Rigid Foam Insulation
Rigid foam insulation is an ideal option for concrete floors, and it mainly comes in three types: Expanded Polystyrene, Extruded Polystyrene, and Polyisocyanurate(ISO).
EPS
- R-value : 4 per inch.
- Most inexpensive option.
XPS
- R-value : 5 per inch.
- Has a good cost-to-performance ratio.
ISO
- Â Â Â R-value : 6.5 per inch.
- Â Â Â Most expensive but is preferred for those looking for high caliber performance.
Rigid foam insulation has good thermal properties, high moisture resistance, and durability, hence suitable especially for concrete floors.
Mineral Wool Insulation
Mineral wool is another effective option for underfloor insulation. It has high fire resistance and soundproofing properties, making it a popular choice for many homeowners.
Reflective Foil Insulation
In warmer climates, reflective foil insulation is often effective. This thin layer of reflective material simply reflects heat back into your home, helping keep your home cool.
Picking the Best Insulation for Your Floor Type
The type of floor you have will go a long way in determining what insulation method is best for you, including:
Suspended Timber Floors
For Suspended Timber Floors:
- Fiberglass batts or blankets
- Mineral wool
- Spray foam insulation
- Insulation boards
Concrete Floors
For concrete floors (typically found in newer homes):
- Â Â Â Rigid foam boards
- Â Â Â Insulation slabs
- Â Â Â Spray foam insulation
Benefits of Underfloor Insulation
Investing in the best underfloor insulation offers numerous advantage
- Energy Savings: Proper insulation can significantly reduce heat loss, leading to lower energy bills.
- Comfort: Insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home, helping eliminate cold spots and drafts.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: By reducing energy consumption, you’re also lowering your home’s carbon emissions.
- Noise Reduction: Some insulation materials can provide good soundproofing, increasing the acoustic comfort of your home.
- Moisture: Some insulation types will effectively create a moisture barrier and keep your floor free from damp spots and water-related damages.
Looking for the Best Underfloor Insulation UK Grants?
The UK government has initiated a number of schemes to encourage homeowners to improve their energy efficiency by installing the insulation for free. Such initiatives help those who aren’t in a position to insulate or need help to do it for free, all in a bid to increase EPC ratings.
Energy Company Obligation Scheme for Your Insulation
First launched in 2013, ECO4 takes a whole-house approach to making homes more energy-efficient to cut carbon emissions and meet the UK’s 2050 target, Net Zero 2050.
It has been and is still a lifeline for those who desire to make their homes warm and comfortable yet are unable to, or, alternatively, are in need of some form of finance. Especially for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, it is important to create an atmosphere where they feel protected and warm.
High energy efficient homes reduce the risk of the development of cardiovascular or mental health issues. Â
The scheme is delivered by the energy suppliers, like ECO Boiler Grants, that work closely with the government to ensure you and your family do not suffer from energy poverty.Â
How to Apply for an Insulation Grant
In order to apply for underfloor insulation grants, you need to:
- Check Eligibility: Use our free eligibility checker. It takes less than 45 seconds to fill out, and our team will be in contact with you in under 24 hours to get the best grant for you.
- Property Assessment: If eligible, a registered installer will assess your property to determine the most suitable insulation. Your help might be needed in order to come to the right conclusions about your property.
- Installation: Our certified installers will install the insulation.
Draught Proofing
Draught proofing is the cheapest and most effective measure to improve energy performance and comfort inside the house. It helps prevent gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and other openings from leaking cold air into space while allowing warm air to go out, bringing a number of benefits to both house and wallet.
Professionals help in finding and sealing areas where unwanted air can leak in or out of your home. General draught zones include gaps around windows and doors, floorboards, letterboxes, pipework, loft hatches, and electrical fittings. The result of doing so would be a more stable interior environment with reduced energy loss.
If you use our eligibility checker, we can help determine if you qualify to one of the ECO4 or other insulation schemes for free, in which case, draught proofing can be done for free by a professional.
Benefits of Draught Proofing
Lower Energy Bills
Some of the most immediate benefits associated with draught proofing are reduced energy bills. Since it prevents heat loss, your heating system can work less in maintaining a comfortable temperature; it will therefore use less energy and therefore decrease costs.
Increased Comfort
Draught proofing gives a more stable indoor climate since cold drafts are eliminated; This brings comfort in living, particularly in areas near windows and doors where cold air normally seeps in and cold spots are created.
Noise Reduction
One of the most important advantages of draught proofing is that it reduces noise from the outside. By sealing gaps around windows and doors, it acts as a barrier to reduce the infiltration of sound from the outside, adding to a peaceful environment.
Condensation and Mould Growth Reduction
Draughty homes can make the atmosphere in the home become more humid and thus conducive to condensation and probably mold. Draught proofing helps in keeping an environment drier, consequently reducing the possibilities of all these and offering a much healthier living environment.
Lower Carbon Emissions
A more energy-efficient home uses less energy in general, which is also good for the environment. Thus, by lowering your consumption of energy with draught proofing, you lower your carbon footprint, too.
Cheap and Easy to Install
Many draught proofing solutions are very cost-effective with a high return on investment. If you are doing it through an energy grant, speak to your installer during the assessment and let them know of any problems, like cold spots, that you may have.
Draught Proofing Techniques
Doors
Gaps under the doors require door brushes or door sweeps. These are easily fitted onto the bottom of the door and then seal when the door is shut.
Windows
Seal gaps around windows with foam, metal, or plastic draught strips; for sash windows, brush seals can be effective.
Floorboards
This can be considered one of the best underfloor insulation for wooden floors. Seal gaps between or around floorboards with a flexible sealant suitable for wood floors.Â
Letterboxes
Fit a letterbox flap or brush to block draughts from this common weak point.
Loft Hatches
Ensure your loft hatch fits snugly, and for a tighter seal, consider adding weatherstripping around the edges.
Useful in All Seasons
While draught proofing may be associated with comfort in winter, its potential benefits apply throughout the year. During summer, it will keep cool air inside and reduce cooling demand using air conditioners or fans. Its year-round efficiency means energy savings and consistent comfort during seasons.
If your home has internal gas appliances, it’s crucial to maintain proper ventilation. Fixed ventilation openings required for these appliances must not be blocked. Always consult a licensed installer before undertaking extensive draught proofing in homes with such appliances. ECO Boiler Grants’ professional installers have helped homeowners feel more secure by professionally ensuring their homes are draft-proof.
What is the Best Underfloor Insulation?
Things to consider whether you are installing them yourself or through a professional:
- Â Building Regulations: If you’re replacing at least half of a room’s flooring, you’re required to insulate the floor to a certain thickness. A registered installer can help determine the appropriate thickness
- Ventilation: Ensure that any existing ventilation is not blocked during the insulation process to prevent issues with damp.
- Professional Installation: Even though a few insulation types could be a DIY project, the underfloor insulation is better left to the professionals to do the job right and in a safe manner. Our team at ECO Boiler Grants has more than 15+ years of experience, allowing you to be in safe hands with every heating upgrade.
- Cost vs. benefit: The initial installation cost weighed against the savings to be accrued over the life of the insulation should be considered. Insulation normally lasts long and thus pays for itself several times.
- Compatibility: You must also look for the best underfloor insulation for underfloor heating if it is already installed or that may be installed. If through ECO4, an installer will check compatibility. He can also advise on the best insulation for wet underfloor heating.
ECO Boiler Grants: Reliable Energy Installers
ECO Boiler Grants has helped thousands of homeowners across the UK become more financially resilient by helping them install the latest heating upgrades for free. We always use the best materials and appliances to ensure they last a long time, providing you with energy security in the long term.
Our installers have experience and know how to transform your home into its best state, from the best underfloor insulation for electric underfloor heating, to using the latest durable materials. Our friendly desk team is always ready to help you navigate the complicated world of energy grants, allowing you to get the best deal for you and your home. Contact us today to learn more!
Conclusion
Underfloor insulation is an investment in your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and environmental impact. Options vary from fibreglass to spray foam to rigid foam boards, each suitable for different types of floors and budgets. Besides that, most UK homeowners are able to access grants through government-backed schemes like the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme to help balance the installation costs.
 Your eligibility check will find out whether you qualify under any of these schemes. These initiatives make energy-efficient upgrades more accessible and will contribute to the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
 With the selection of appropriate underfloor insulation and availability of grants for the same, one can create a more comfortable living environment, reduce energy bills, and play one’s part in building a more sustainable future.
