How to Correctly Identify your Type of Floor for Insulation?

Don’t forget about floor insulation. Millions of homes across England have insulation, and rightly so. Saving money on energy bills and creating a more comfortable place to live is essential right, but what about floor insulation? Most homes across England understand the necessity of wall insulation, roof insulation and loft insulation but, sadly, insulating the floors is often overlooked. However, this would be a mistake as up to 15% of heat is typically lost through the floors of your home, therefore, to aid to the comfort of your living and to further help reduce energy bills, floor insulation can be a massive benefit to you.

Understanding the necessity of floor insulation is one thing, but it is important to understand the types of floors you have, if you already have floor insulation installed, the different methods of insulating the floor and also any building regulations around floor insulation.

Types of Floors

Knowing the type of floor you have can help present you with the correct course of insulation action and it can help you see if it is already insulated. Old floor insulation may also be an issue and if you do already have your floors insulated, in may be time for an update.

1. Solid Concrete Floors

Concrete floors are a relatively newer form of flooring, especially if you are comparing it to suspended floors. This method of flooring was adopted from the 1930s and are built specifically on the ground, therefore, reducing the amount of heat escape when compared with suspended floors.

Insulating concrete floors can be provided either by inserting a rigid insulation layer on the top of the floor or it can be possible to implement when the floor in being replaced. Here you will be able to directly see if your concrete floor has sufficient insulation or not.

2. Modern Floors

Modern flooring, the most recent form, come with a preinstalled layer of insulation that prevents heat loss through the floor. You are likely to find insulation slabs attached below the concrete surfaces of floors in modern builds.

3. Suspended Floors

This floor type, typically common with older residential houses, have the floors constructed above an empty space. This empty space can account for a lot of heat loss, however, provides an area that can be effectively insulated.

You can assess your home for suspended floors by checking the outer walls beneath the level of the floor, if there are air or ventilation bricks then it has a suspended floor. Note, the ventilation in the outer wall is highly important to mitigate risks of moisture build up which can cause rotting to the floor timbers.

Additionally, if you are able to access the space underneath your floors you can visually assess its need for insulation, see if there is already insulation and if there is, you can see whether it is intact or in need of updating.

Building Regulations for Floor Insulation

No matter your type of floor, before investing in installing floor insulation, you must always consider any building regulations. For example, you must avoid any breaches to law such as complying with floor height, fire safety and even U-values. However, if you are unsure whether or not you are complying with the law, you can consult with our professionals who will provide you with all the information you need.

You can contact EcoSpray-Foam Systems directly at 0203 411 5188 for specific insulation advice on homes across England or visit our website www.sprayfoam.co.uk to find out more. You are just moments away from all the floor advice you could possibly need, so contact us today.