Cavity Wall Insulation

If your house was built after the 1920s, it is likely to have cavity walls . A cavity wall is the External Wall which is made up of two walls with a gap in between, known as the cavity; the outer leaf is usually made of brick, and the inner layer of brick or concrete block. Metal ties join the two walls together (see both pics). Pre-1920 older houses are more likely to have solid walls . A solid wall has no cavity; each wall is a single solid wall, usually made of brick or stone. Please refer to Internal Wall Insulation for these properties.

Since the early 1920’s many house walls have been constructed of two masonry (brick or block) walls, with a cavity (gap) of at least 50mm between. A cavity wall can generally be recognised by it’s thickness (more than 11.5?), or by the brick pattern. The presence of end bricks in the face suggests that the wall may not contain a cavity and is not suitable for cavity wall insulation. If unsure, our Surveyor can identify during the survey inspection, and if necessary – carry out a boroscope check on your wall and put a camera inside it to see if it is suitable to get Cavity Wall Insulation.

Cavity Wall Insulation is Insulating material which is placed in the gap between the inner and outer wall of your property, making it more energy-efficient. Our preferred insulating material is a bonded EPS bead system due to its durability, low thermal conductivity and moisture resistance.

It is a lightweight cellular material consisting of fine spherical shaped particles which are comprised of 98% air and 2% polystyrene. Expandable polystyrene is a rigid cellular plastic containing an expansion agent called pentane. Low Thermal Conductivity: the material has a long term R-value meaning it is resistant to heat flow making it an ideal product for thermal insulation. Low Water Absorption: EPS bead does not absorb moisture and its thermal properties are not affected by damp, humidity or moisture. Its closed cell means it cannot absorb water and bead will maintain its shape, size, structure and appearance. Ageing Resistance: all the above properties are retained over the materials life and will last as long as the building itself.

1) Over a third of all the heat lost in an uninsulated home escapes through the walls:- 2) Saves you money on your Energy Bills (up to £275 per year). 3) Keeps your home warmer – less heat escaping through the externals walls. 4) Reduces your Carbon Footprint helping the environment. 5) No.1 recommendation on an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) to improve energy efficiency.

Before the installation, M3 Energy Scotland will organise a Surveyor to attend site at a suitable date and time to carry out an assessment of your property to confirm that it is suitable for insulation. This assessment will also be double checked by the actual Installer before installation.

The drilling process does create some vibration – so it would be wise to remove ornaments, particularly on external walls, for their safety and your peace of mind. The Technician will need access to all walls, so he will need to get inside attached garages, lean-to sheds, conservatories etc. The insulation can only be really effective if all walls are done. If you have a wall right on the boundary, you may like to mention to your neighbour, that the Technician will need to go onto their property.

Cavity wall insulation normally takes around 2-3 hours to install, but the time does depend on the size of the house and other factors, such as access. To insulate your cavity walls, the installer drills small holes around 22mm in size (10p Coin) through the mortar in between the bricks at specific intervals on the outside wall of your home (see Drill Pattern below). The installer then inserts the insulation into the wall cavity using special equipment. Each system has a defined pattern of holes (see below), which is injected in turn starting from the bottom and is tested to verify that it results in a complete fill. Most systems have an automatic cut out, which actuates when the adjacent wall area is full. There is tolerance in the injection pattern so that the material will flow past the next injection hole. All the holes through which the insulation is injected are filled with mortar to match the existing color and texture as closely as possible. On pebbledash finishes, pebbles are added to the surface to match the existing finish. After weathering, the holes are difficult to see.