MJ Energy Services Logo

Energy Solutions can help you reduce your fuel bills

info-icon

Phone No:
UK (01 924 806457)

Unit 11 County Workshops Wood Street Dewsbury WF13 1QU

Solid Wall Insulation Grant

Home / Solid Wall Insulation Grant

Solid Wall Insulation Grant

Houses built in early 20th century were normally built with solid walls.

Cavity walls structures only started to become popular in 1920’s and became the preferred construction type in mid 1930’s.

As the solid walls do not have a cavity, these can only be insulated from inside or outside.

The benefits are similar to Cavity wall insulation; however, both the options of insulating externally or internally are quite expensive compared to cavity wall insulation.

External method sometimes triggers planning and building control requirements making them a little more complicated to achieve.

Internal methods are quite disruptive and on average 100-150mm room space is lost.

Also, internal fixtures and furnishings can complicate the process as well.

Further, there are no current grants available which cover 100% of the costs and a substantial contribution will be needed from the householders.

Regardless of the complications and hurdles briefly described above, it is the only way to insulate solid walls and can help reduce up to 35% heat loss from the property.

thumbnail

Benefits of Solid Wall Insulation

  • Heat loss can be prevented
  • Reduce your heating bills
  • Reduce your carbon footprint

Insulating solid walls can reduce heating costs and make your home more comfortable.

If your home was built prior to the 1920s, it is likely that its exterior walls are solid walls and not cavity walls.

  • Cavity wall insulation can’t be used on solid walls because they are made up of concrete.
  • There is small gap between the two layers of cavity walls.

Solid walls are insulated internally and externally.

Identify your wall type

If your house has solid walls, they typically lack insulation. Identifying the type of walls in your home is crucial. Examine the exterior brickwork to gain insights into the wall construction. Measure the wall’s width to distinguish between cavity and solid walls. Observing a window or door attached to an exterior wall can provide additional clues.

For non-traditional building constructions like concrete, steel, or timber-framed houses, seeking advice from a specialist is essential for insulation considerations. A wall comprising 260mm-thick bricks is indicative of a cavity wall, while solid walls are generally thinner. Stone walls, although possibly thicker, typically qualify as solid walls.

Savings, costs and financial supports

The following are installation costs for solid wall insulation based on a 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Great Britain:

  • Insulation of external walls: approximately £14,000.
  • Insulation of internal walls: approximately £10,000.

These costs might be reduced if you install other renewables with it.

Here's how much you could save on your energy bill (£/year) as well as how many kilograms of CO2 emissions you could save each year with solid wall insulation:

Estimates based on insulating a gas-heated home. Costs may vary significantly depending on level of work required. Above estimates are based on a typical install, ranging from a small flat to a large detached home. Prices are based on fuel prices as of October 2024. how we made these calculations.


sign

Installing solid wall insulation can be cheaper

We recommend considering the insulation of your entire house along with a comprehensive redecoration, a desire for some individuals, though it can incur significant costs. Optimal timing for wall insulation is during concurrent decorating or construction projects.

For those planning renovations, bathroom or kitchen installations in the near future, internal insulation can be phased in by working on one room at a time, providing a manageable cost spread. External insulation is more cost-effective when undertaken alongside other renovations, taking advantage of existing scaffolding from activities like new roof installations, window painting, or solar panel installations.

For homes requiring wall repairs during refurbishment, it’s advisable to obtain a quote encompassing the insulation aspect. In certain cases, grants for home improvements may be available. To explore eligibility for assistance in your area, you can submit an application.

Internal Wall Insulation

We can either attach rigid insulation boards to the walls or build a stud wall with mineral wool fibre.

  • Internal insulation is less expensive to install than external insulation.
  • It reduces the floor area where it is used (the insulation thickness is approximately 100mm).
  • It can be disruptive but it is possible to do it room by room.
  • Requires removal and reattachment of skirting boards, door frames, and other fittings in internal wall insulation.
  • It can be challenging to fix heavy items inside walls. However, special fixings are possible.

External Wall Insulation

External wall insulation is the process of attaching insulation material to the wall and then covering it with a special type or render (plasterwork or cladding).

  • External wall insulation can be applied without causing disruption to the household. It will not affect the floor area of the home.
  • Restore the exterior walls’ appearance.
  • This will improve weatherproofing as well as sound resistance.
  • Fill cracks and spaces in brickwork to reduce draughts.
  • Protecting brickwork with external insulation can increase the life expectancy of walls.
  • It reduces condensation on the internal walls, and can help prevent damp (but it will not solve rising damp).
  • If the external walls are not structurally sound and cannot be repaired, it is not recommended.
  • Access to the outer walls is required.
thumbnail
thumbnail

Subscribe to our newsletter.