Solid Wall Insulation: Everything You Need to Know

Some older properties have solid walls instead of cavities. If your house was built before 1920, it is likely made from single-layer solid walls of brick or stone. The bricks will have an alternating pattern; laid in a way where some of the smaller ends can be seen from the outside.  

Unless recently modernised…it’s almost certain that these walls won’t have insulation! 

What is solid wall insulation?

Solid wall insulation works by adding a warm layer to walls. You can apply it to the inside or outside of your home – helping to keep it at a comfortable temperature. 

Solid wall insulation is normally located inside or outside your home’s wall.

• Interior solid walls are insulated by attaching rigid insulation boards or by building a stud wall which has been filled with mineral wool fibre or other insulation materials. This can be cheaper to install than external wall insulation – however, it could reduce the floor area of a room. Although you can apply insulation on a room-by-room basis, it can still be quite a disruptive process. Skirting boards and door frames are just some of the items that you will need to remove and reattach! 

• External solid walls are insulated by attaching insulation material then covering it with specially designed render or cladding, which can be finished to your requirements. As this is performed outside the property, it’s less disruptive…and it also won’t reduce any of your current room space. It provides weather and soundproofing by filling in cracks, reducing draughts and protecting the brickwork. It can also help prevent internal damp as it stops moisture entering the property and condensation from forming. 

How much could you save on energy bills with solid wall insulation?

The amount of money you can save on energy bills with solid wall insulation depends on various factors. These are things such as the size and type of your property and its existing level of insulation. On average, installing solid wall insulation can lead to significant energy savings.

It’s important to note that the figures above are estimates. The actual savings will vary based on a variety of factors. This can be things such as: what kind of insulation material is used, your heating system’s efficiency, and personal energy consumption habits. We recommend you coordinate installing this type of insulation with other home improvement projects. You could also address specific areas separately rather than the entire house simultaneously.