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While cavity walls are a popular build type across the UK, not all homes have these types of walls. Almost all pre-1920 properties in the UK are solid wall properties, of which a staggering 90% remain uninsulated according to the Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency (SWIGA). This is reflected in sky-high energy bills, damp drafty homes, and big domestic carbon footprints.
Luckily, there are plenty of cavity wall insulation alternatives available for homes with different circumstances. These options are just as effective in reducing your home heat loss, leading to big energy savings, a healthier home environment, and a greater contribution to sustainability.
This ultimate GreenMatch UK guide will walk you through the various insulation alternatives to cavity wall insulation, and in which cases should you consider them.
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Cavity wall insulation, as suggested by its name, is only suitable for cavity wall properties. These are homes with two wall leaves (outer wall and inner wall) with a cavity space in between. A sizeable portion of UK homes instead have solid walls, which are made of a single-layer brick wall with no cavity space.
The two main alternative wall insulation approaches for solid walls are internal wall insulation and external wall insulation. Both insulation approaches are slightly more complex than cavity wall insulation, but just as effective in retaining home heat and improving efficiency.
For homes wanting to improve their energy efficiency without insulating walls, loft insulation can serve as another impressive heat retention avenue.
While not sustainable long-term fixes, there are small DIY hacks that can work as great cavity wall insulation alternatives in helping retain home heat!
Thermal liner is an ultra-thin wallpaper with insulating properties that can be added to your inner walls and painted over. It helps to act as an insulating barrier whilst also controlling wall breathability, helping to avoid moisture buildup.
A similar alternative is insulating paste. Found in most hardware stores, it works similarly to wall plaster and can be applied on the inside of your property before adding wallpaper or painting. It can provide a small boost to your home’s heat retention.
Internal wall insulation is a great alternative if you do not have a cavity wall property. Alternatively, you can get internal wall insulation if your cavity walls are unsuitable for insulation.
The process costs around £7,500 for a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached home, but this price can fluctuate depending on several factors like home size, type and installation complexity.
Whilst it is a relatively disruptive process that takes place on the inside of your home, it is a long-term solution that will boost your energy efficiency significantly. There are generally two different approaches to internal wall insulation:
Both methods take place within the inside of your home and can be handled all in one go, or room by room depending on your budget, installation complexity and personal needs.
External wall insulation is an effective wall insulation that can be added to either solid or cavity walls. It involves fixing rigid insulation boards directly onto the outer walls of your home, then covering it with render (plaster) and cladding insulation. This process generally costs around £12,000, but can fluctuate on home and personal circumstances.
External wall insulation is highly effective at keeping your home warm and reducing energy bills. It minimises heat loss through the walls, a major source of energy inefficiency. Also, fixing cracks and gaps reduces drafts and creates a more consistent indoor temperature.
Loft insulation can be an alternative way to insulate your home other than cavity wall insulation, but as its name suggests, this is not wall insulation.
Loft insulation is when insulating material is installed in your loft to minimise heat loss and temperature change in your home. This works by trapping heat in air pockets, keeping your home warm during winter and cool during summer.
Costing around £930 for a semi-detached UK house, loft insulation helps offset up to a quarter of home heat loss, making it a formidable alternative to wall insulation. There are two main ways to insulate a loft:
If you live in a cavity wall property, then chances are getting cavity wall insulation is your best bet. However, some cavity walls (especially older homes) may host a series of problems and neglected repairs that make them unsuitable for cavity wall insulation.
Some of the key problems cavity walls can experience are:
Nevertheless, it’s best suggested to try and address existing cavity wall issues before attempting an alternative insulation method. This is because cavity wall insulation is one of the quickest, most affordable, and non-invasive wall insulation methods on the market.
A home assessment by a professional installer can identify whether your cavity wall issues are worth fixing, or whether an alternative wall insulation approach would make the most sense.
With all things considered, the best alternative to cavity wall insulation will depend on your circumstances, such as whether you are aiming for budget or insulation efficiency.
From a budget-friendly perspective, short-term fixes like thermal liner and insulating paste may help offset some heat loss, but internal wall insulation would be your best bet for a long-term and effective solution.
However, internal wall insulation is a notoriously invasive procedure that will very much disrupt your living environment. That's why the best alternative in terms of comfort would likely be external wall insulation, as the entire job takes place outside of your home.
Before diving into insulation installation, secure the best value for your project by comparing quotes from qualified professionals. Here's what you need to know:
Comparing multiple quotes from a range of qualified installers can be a stressful and time-consuming process, but it’s your best bet for landing the perfect bargain. However, you don’t have to do it alone, as GreenMatch UK can take care of the research and betting for you!
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Walls without a cavity are likely solid walls. These types of walls are made up of a single brick later with no cavity space in between. Solid walls can be insulated with two approaches: internal wall insulation or external wall insulation.
Although cavity wall insulation is great at helping heat retention, the cavity space also serves the purpose of protecting the inner wall from coming into contact with the moist outer wall. A completely packed cavity space can create a bridge between the two walls, inviting moisture buildup, and even mould growth.
Akif is a copywriter at GreenMatch since 2023. With a keen interest in community sustainability, green solutions and the role of digital media in identifying climate trends, he aims to hone in on his background in International Studies and Digital Media to provide a multidisciplinary approach to written content rooted in credible research and accuracy.
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