At Home with Sarah Beeny Autumn 2015 - 341

INSULATION

to have suspended timber floors. These can be insulated
by lifting the boards and laying mineral wool insulation
supported by netting between the joists.
However, be aware that floorboards will rot without
adequate ventilation, so make sure you don't block any
under-floor airbricks in the outside walls. Many homes,
especially newer ones, will have a ground floor made of
solid concrete. This can be insulated when it needs to be
replaced, or can have rigid insulation laid on top.

DRAUGHT PROOF GAPS

Gaps around windows, doors and vents can allow a lot
of warm air to leak out of your home. To draught-proof
your property, you should block up any unwanted gaps
that let cold air in and warm air out. This will mean you
use less energy to heat your home, saving money as well
as making your home snug.
Draught proofing is a simple DIY job, and you can
buy everything you need - including draught proofing
tapes, sealants, letter box covers, chimney balloons and
expanding foam strips - from a DIY warehouse or
hardware store. Take a careful look at weak areas, such as
windows, doors (including letterboxes and keyholes), loft
hatches, electrical fittings on walls and ceilings, pipework
leading outside, unused chimneys and ceiling-to-wall
joints, and take the necessary action to seal them.

Earth-friendly OPTIONS

When choosing your insulation material, don't forget to
check out some of the great eco-friendly choices out there...
SHEEP'S WOOL
This eco insulation is ideally suited to timber
frame structures as it has a natural synergy
with wood. The sheep wool fibres draw out
the moisture, conditioning the wood and
acting as a 'buffer' to protect the fabric of
the building. Independent research clearly
illustrates that as moisture levels increase, no
significant changes to thermal conductivity will
occur. This consistency demonstrates the versatility
of sheep's wool insulation and an ability to cope in
contrasting environments and levels of humidity.
HEMP
This is a fast-growing, low-impact plant
crop that produces fine fibres suitable for
insulation. Hemp is a medium-density
insulation, and is an efficient and durable
alternative to man-made insulation choices.
Hemp fits securely between rafters, joists
and studs, and offers excellent thermal
insulation performance. It is long-lasting, safe
to handle and contributes to a healthier indoor
environment by regulating the moisture in the
building - hemp can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture, without
any deterioration in thermal performance.
RECYCLED DENIM
This insulation is made from 80% recycled cotton and denim, so it helps to
reduce landfill waste and can also be recycled at the end of its use. It comes
in batts (pre-cut sections of insulation material), which can be used in walls
or in lofts. It's also available loose for blown-in applications. Denim also has
excellent acoustic insulating properties, cutting down sound transference by
42dB, so it's great for stud walls.
PLASTIC BOTTLES
This green insulation product is made of
95% recycled plastic bottles and, at the
end of its life, is fully recyclable itself.
There are various brands available,
including Earthwool, and is sometimes called
'recycled polyester' insulation. It comes in rolls,
similar to standard insulation, so can be used
between joists in floors and walls.
NEWSPAPER
Pulped newspaper, also known as cellulose, makes a great insulator, and
you can buy it loose in bags to install yourself in your loft. Alternatively, an
installer can use it wet or dry for blown-in applications in sloping roofs and
cavity walls. It's made from between 80% and 100% recycled newspapers,
combined with fire retardants, so its eco-credentials are high. It's also resistant
to biological and fungal attack, treated against insects, and unattractive to
vermin. You can also buy it in solid blocks or batts.

www.athomemagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2015 | 41

PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK

SARAH SAYS

'If you're considering exterior wall
insulation, be aware that it may
alter the appearance of your home,
so check first whether you need
planning permission, particularly
if you live in a conservation area.'
At Home with Sarah Beeny Autumn 2015

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