Stop pulling cold air into your home. Why Insulating Your Floors is a Smart Move for Dublin Homeowners
Imagine you are throwing €50 notes into a bucket with massive holes. . .the more you throw in. . .the more falls out. That’s what it’s like living in a home without proper floor insulation! The more you heat the house. . the more cold air you are pulling in through the floor boards.
If you live in Dublin, especially in a pre-1960’s house, chances are your floors are letting a lot of that precious heat slip away. But don’t worry! RH Insulation, an SEAI-approved and fully insured team with over 20 years of experience, can help you plug those leaks and start saving money (and feeling warmer!) right away.
What is Floor Insulation and Why is It So Important?
Floor insulation is like putting a cosy blanket under your floor. It’s a layer of material designed to prevent cold air coming in. Think about it: heat rises. But if your floor is cold, it actually sucks in cold air as the heat rises. The more you heat. .the more cold air you suck in.
This is especially true in Dublin, where we get plenty of chilly weather. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), up to 15% of heat loss in a home can occur through the floor! That’s a big chunk of your heating bill disappearing into thin air.
Two Main Types of Floors – Two Different Insulation Solutions
We understand that every house is different. That’s why we offer tailored solutions for both main types of floors:
- Suspended Timber Floors: This type of floor is common in older (pre-1960’s), especially Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian houses.
- Concrete Floors: These are usually found in newer homes or in houses that have been renovated.
Let’s take a closer look at each:
- Suspended Timber Floors: Breathing New Life Into Old Structures
Hundreds of thousands of homes in Ireland have suspended timber floors. If your house is Georgian Style 1740-1830, Victorian Style 1830-1901 or Edwardian Style 1890-1918 then you most likely have suspended timber floors.
Back in the day, these floors were a clever way to deal with dampness. However, they also allowed cold air to flow freely underneath the floorboards, creating draughts and making rooms very cold in the winter.
Vapour Control Layer: We start by installing a vapour control layer (VCL) over the joists. It’s breathable so does not cause condensation, sweating or trapped moisture. It also cradles the insulation.
Breathable Insulation: Next, we install the insulation. We recommend using breathable materials like Earth wool or Hemp. These are great because they allow any moisture that might get into the floor structure to dry out naturally. They also fit snugly between the floor joists, which are often uneven.
Traditional foil-faced boards aren’t ideal because they don’t breathe and don’t fit snugly, leading to cold spots, thermal bridging and inconsistent insulation. Earth-wool and Hemp are ideal as they are breathable so if any moisture should penetrate the floor structure over the building’s lifetime, it can dry out. Both Earth-wool and Hemp also achieve a snug fit to the floor joist which inevitably are never parallel.
Airtight Membrane: Finally, we cover the insulation, joints, and VCL with an airtight membrane. This is sealed carefully around the edges to prevent drafts. Again, it’s breathable. Then, the flooring (wood, plywood, carpet, or tiles) can be installed. The best part about this method is that it doesn’t change the floor level, so you don’t have to alter doors, skirting boards, or fireplaces!
- Concrete Floors: Starting From Scratch for Maximum Efficiency
If you have an existing concrete floor and you’re doing major renovation work, the best option or insulation is to remove it completely. Yes, it’s a big job! It involves heavy-duty work with jackhammers and sometimes even a mini-digger.
But the results are worth it. Here’s how we tackle a concrete floor insulation projects:
Removal: We carefully remove the existing concrete floor, taking it right down to the bare earth.
Hardcore and Sand: We install a layer of stone chippings (hardcore) for drainage and stability, followed by a layer of binding sand.
Radon Barrier: Because radon gas can be a problem in some parts of Ireland, we install a radon barrier to protect your home from this invisible danger.
Insulation Installation: Above the radon barrier, we install the insulation itself. We typically use two layers of PIR rigid insulation, each 150mm thick, to achieve the required U-value. The upper layer is installed at a 90-degree angle to the lower layer for added strength and to reduce thermal bridging.
Concrete Pouring: Finally, we pour a layer of concrete (usually 50mm to 75mm thick) and level it to create a smooth, insulated floor.
Underfloor Heating (Optional): If you’re considering underfloor heating, this is the perfect time to install the pipes!
U–Value: Understanding Heat Loss and Insulation Performance
You might be wondering, “How do I know if the insulation is any good?” That’s where the U-value comes in. The U-value measures how much heat passes through a material. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation.
The SEAI sets standards for U-values in Ireland to make sure homes are energy-efficient. At RH Insulation, we make sure all our floor insulation projects meet or exceed this standard. They updated the Building Regulations in relation to home Energy in 2019 –Part L now includes the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirement for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings.
Why Choose RH Insulation for Your Dublin Home?
At RH Insulation, we’re passionate about helping Dublin homeowners save money and stay warm. Here’s why you should choose us:
Experience: We have over 20 years of experience in the floor restoration and construction industry.
SEAI Approved: We are approved by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, ensuring we meet the highest standards.
Fully Insured: You can have peace of mind knowing that we are fully insured.
Custom Solutions: We tailor our insulation solutions to meet the specific needs of your home.
Quality Materials: We use only the best quality materials to ensure long-lasting performance.
Expert Installation: Our skilled team ensures that your insulation is installed correctly for maximum effectiveness.
Increased Home Value: Floor insulation can boost your BER rating and increase the overall value of your home, making it a smart move for homeowners looking to invest in their property’s future.
Up to 35% Saving in Heating Loss.
Ready to Say Goodbye to Cold Floors and High Heating Bills?
Don’t let another winter go by with cold coming in through your floorboards! Contact RH Insulation today for a free consultation and let us help you find the perfect floor insulation solution for your Dublin home.
Stop cold floorboards – it’s an investment in a warmer, more energy-efficient future.