Loft insulation and external wall insulation help keep your home protected from the harshness of weather. Both are equally important in terms of saving heat and energy. As a result, you can save money on your household’s heating costs. Without a doubt, loft insulation tries its best to stop heat from escaping through the roof. For the same reason, it uses materials like fibreglass. External wall insulation, on the other hand, adds a protective layer to your home’s outer walls. Consequently, it keeps warmth inside. On top of that, there are free insulation grants for both loft and external wall insulation that can apply to your home.
What’s loft insulation?
Well, loft insulation is a highly effective way to halt heat from going out of the roof of your home. When you add a special layer to your loft or attic space, you force the warmth inside. It stays for a long enough time and keeps your home heated. This is undeniably, a proven method to save energy and reduce gas and electricity expenses. But if your loft isn’t insulated, more or less 25% warmth runs away from your roof.
Types of loft insulation
Blown-fibre insulation: This type, usually made of mineral wool or cellulose, is blown into place by professionals using special equipment. It helps insulate the spots where you may not easily reach out or add more insulation where needed.
Loose-fill insulation: This option uses lightweight materials like cellulose, mineral wool, or recycled newspaper. You simply pour these materials to fill gaps in odd-shaped areas or around things in your loft. While you can easily add more insulation with loose fill, getting an even layer can be a bit difficult. Further, drafts might disturb it.
Blanket (matt) insulation: This is the most common kind. It’s like a roll of material, such as mineral wool, glass fibre, or foil-backed felt. You put it between the joists or rafters in your loft. It’s pretty easy to install, and you can often do it yourself.
So, loft insulation is something no household can ignore at all.
What’s External Wall Insulation?
External Wall Insulation (EWI) is like adding a warm coat to a building’s outside. This stops the heat from escaping through the walls, making the inside warmer. It’s a shield that cuts down on energy use. Consequently, it leads to lower heating bills and makes your household more comfortable.
External wall insulation is super helpful, especially for older buildings without special walls. But even newer ones can benefit. Besides keeping things warm, External wall insulation also protects the building and makes it look better on the outside.
Types of external wall insulation
Mineral Wool (or Rockwool) Insulation: This is made from melted glass, stone, or industrial waste spun into a fibre-like structure. It fights fire, helps with sound, and lets moisture escape. But, it’s a bit thicker than other types for the same warmth.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Insulation: This is a light, stiff foam made from solid bits of polystyrene. People like it because it’s good at keeping things warm. Moreover, it doesn’t cost too much and is easy to put in. It’s tough against water but not as good at letting air through as mineral wool. Plus, it’s not great against fire.
Phenolic Foam Insulation: This gives the best warmth for its thickness. It’s like a hard panel that can be used with different finishes. It’s pricier than some others, and you need to be careful when putting it in to keep out moisture, which can make it less effective.
Benefits of external wall insulation
Talking about the cost, payback, savings, and property value when you invest in insulation, whether it’s for the loft or the outside walls, there’s an initial cost, but it brings long-term savings on energy bills. But you may get free external wall insulation through government grants. Under the ECO4 scheme or the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), you may get insulation measures. Moreover, the value of your property increases. You can effortlessly find renters or buyers for your property.
Cost of loft insulation
For loft insulation, the cost depends on how you do it. DIY blanket insulation might be around £100 while getting a professional to blow in insulation could be between £350-£500. Without a doubt, the savings from loft insulation can be big, from £120 to £215 a year for a detached house. But it will pay you back in around two years.
Cost of external wall insulation
Now, external wall insulation is pricier, going from £8,000 to £22,000, including a nice finish for your home. It can save about £500 or more yearly for a UK detached house. But because it costs more at the start, it takes longer to get your money back, like between 13 to 25 years. However, it can really amp up your property value, especially for older homes with solid walls.
Loft insulation vs external wall insulation
When we compare loft insulation and external wall insulation, they both do important things like reducing energy loss and lowering your carbon footprint. Even though loft insulation is cheaper and pays back faster, it mostly stops heat from escaping through the roof, and it’s super effective in cold weather. But it has limits.
On the other side, external wall insulation costs more upfront, but it wraps the whole structure, keeping warmth in during winter and coolness in summer. It makes your place look better, might boost its value, and protects the walls from weather and dampness.
Looking at everything, loft insulation might seem like a winner for saving money. Yet, external wall insulation often ends up being a better choice because it covers everything, giving you year-round energy savings, making your place look good, and potentially raising its value. So, if you want a complete, long-term fix, external wall insulation is a strong pick for a better investment.