Floor insulation - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 11:50, 15 March 2023

2023-03-15T11:50:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:50, 15 March 2023
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	Newer homes are far more likely to have a ground floor made of solid concrete. The simplest method of installation is to add insulation and a new floor deck on top of the existing floor. However, raising the floor level will usually require floor coverings skirtings, radiators and electrical fittings are removed and re-fitted, as well as reducing the heights of doors.		Newer homes are far more likely to have a ground floor made of solid concrete. The simplest method of installation is to add insulation and a new floor deck on top of the existing floor. However, raising the floor level will usually require floor coverings skirtings, radiators and electrical fittings are removed and re-fitted, as well as reducing the heights of doors.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Approved Document L.		* Approved Document L.
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	* U-value		* U-value
	* Vapour barrier		* Vapour barrier
−
−	~~= External references =~~
−
−	* [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan]
−	* [http://www.concrete.org.uk/ Concrete]
−	* [https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/underfloor-insulation CSE]
−	* [http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/floor Energy Saving Trust]
−	* [http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/ground-floor-insulation/ Greenspec]

	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]		[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Editor at 17:20, 26 July 2021

2021-07-26T17:20:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:20, 26 July 2021
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	* Flooring.		* Flooring.
	* Flooring defects.		* Flooring defects.
		+	* Hatch.
	* Heat transfer.		* Heat transfer.
	* How to fit carpet.		* How to fit carpet.

Designing Buildings at 11:11, 4 September 2020

2020-09-04T11:11:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:11, 4 September 2020
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	* [http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/ground-floor-insulation/ Greenspec]		* [http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/ground-floor-insulation/ Greenspec]

−	[[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]]

Editor at 17:32, 28 August 2019

2019-08-28T17:32:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 28 August 2019
Line 104:		Line 104:
	Newer homes are far more likely to have a ground floor made of solid concrete. The simplest method of installation is to add insulation and a new floor deck on top of the existing floor. However, raising the floor level will usually require floor coverings skirtings, radiators and electrical fittings are removed and re-fitted, as well as reducing the heights of doors.		Newer homes are far more likely to have a ground floor made of solid concrete. The simplest method of installation is to add insulation and a new floor deck on top of the existing floor. However, raising the floor level will usually require floor coverings skirtings, radiators and electrical fittings are removed and re-fitted, as well as reducing the heights of doors.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* Approved Document L.		* Approved Document L.
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	* Crawl space.		* Crawl space.
	* Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing.		* Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing.
		+	* Fire insulation.
	* Flooring.		* Flooring.
	* Flooring defects.		* Flooring defects.
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	* Vapour barrier		* Vapour barrier

−	=== External references ===	+	= External references =

	* [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan]		* [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan]

Editor at 16:54, 4 February 2019

2019-02-04T16:54:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 4 February 2019
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	* Approved Document L.		* Approved Document L.
	* Ash deafening.		* Ash deafening.
		+	* Beam and block.
	* BREEAM.		* BREEAM.
	* Cavity wall insulation.		* Cavity wall insulation.

Designing Buildings at 09:42, 3 June 2018

2018-06-03T09:42:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:42, 3 June 2018
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	* Code for Sustainable Homes.		* Code for Sustainable Homes.
	* Crawl space.		* Crawl space.
		+	* Domestic floors: Part 1: Construction, insulation and damp proofing.
	* Flooring.		* Flooring.
	* Flooring defects.		* Flooring defects.

Editor at 15:52, 25 April 2018

2018-04-25T15:52:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:52, 25 April 2018
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	* Thermal bridge		* Thermal bridge
	* Thermal insulation for buildings		* Thermal insulation for buildings
−	* Transparent insulation	+	* Transparent insulation.
		+	* Types of carpet.
	* Types of floor.		* Types of floor.
	* Types of insulation.		* Types of insulation.

Editor at 14:48, 25 April 2018

2018-04-25T14:48:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:48, 25 April 2018
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	* Flooring defects.		* Flooring defects.
	* Heat transfer.		* Heat transfer.
		+	* How to fit carpet.
	* Insulation for ground floors.		* Insulation for ground floors.
	* PA ratio.		* PA ratio.

Editor at 15:08, 23 January 2018

2018-01-23T15:08:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 23 January 2018
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	Legislation such as the building begulations part L has acted as a catalyst for insulation, along with advanced voluntary programmes such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM.		Legislation such as the building begulations part L has acted as a catalyst for insulation, along with advanced voluntary programmes such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM.

−	The building regulations require that floors achieve minimum thermal performance values (U-values – a measure of how quickly heat will travel through the floor), and this affects the amount of insulation required. For example, achieving a U-value of 0.25 W/m2K or less. would require at least ~~70mm~~ of high-performance foam insulation, or ~~150mm~~ of mineral wool, (although this will vary depending on floor type, construction, shape and size).	+	The building regulations require that floors achieve minimum thermal performance values (U-values – a measure of how quickly heat will travel through the floor), and this affects the amount of insulation required. For example, achieving a U-value of 0.25 W/m2K or less. would require at least 70 mm of high-performance foam insulation, or 150 mm of mineral wool, (although this will vary depending on floor type, construction, shape and size).

	Calculations by [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan] have produced best starting point values that are thought to be suitable for common situations.		Calculations by [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan] have produced best starting point values that are thought to be suitable for common situations.
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	=== Insulation above the floor slab ===		=== Insulation above the floor slab ===

−	Insulation is placed above the concrete slab, along with a separating/slip layer and then a rigid floor which is generally either screed or boarding. The damp proof membrane (DPM), which can be either above or below the slab, must be continuous with the damp proof course (DPC) in the surrounding walls. The insulation boards must be tightly butted and sealed to limit air leakage. Heating response time is improved by having the insulation above the slab, and the insulation zone can be used to run services and underfloor heating. However, when used together with timber-based flooring it may be unsuitable for use in rooms that may get wet such as kitchens or bathrooms.	+	Insulation is placed above the concrete slab, along with a separating/slip layer and then a rigid floor which is generally either screed or boarding. The damp proof membrane (DPM), which can be either above or below the slab, must be continuous with the damp proof course (DPC) in the surrounding walls. The insulation boards must be tightly butted and sealed to limit air leakage.
		+
		+	Heating response time is improved by having the insulation above the slab, and the insulation zone can be used to run services and underfloor heating. However, when used together with timber-based flooring it may be unsuitable for use in rooms that may get wet such as kitchens or bathrooms.

	=== Insulation below the floor slab ===		=== Insulation below the floor slab ===
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	== Retrofitting existing buildings ==		== Retrofitting existing buildings ==

−	Simple draught-proofing: Sealant or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between floorboards and between skirting boards and the floor.	+	=== Simple draught-proofing ===
		+
		+	Sealant or caulking can be used to fill the gaps between floorboards and between skirting boards and the floor.
		+
		+	=== Timber floors ===
		+
		+	Older homes are more likely to have suspended timber floors (with no ceiling below). These can be insulated by raising the floorboards and laying mineral wool insulation supported by netting between the joists. This process is relatively easy if there is a cellar or an access hatch allowing entry to the crawlspace (void) below the floorboards. If not, the floorboards will need to be taken up. It is important to consider the propensity of timber floors for air leakage. Attention is needed when relaying old floorboards or installing new ones, to ensure that all joints between boards are adequately sealed.

−	Timber floors: Older homes are more likely to have suspended timber floors (with no ceiling below). These can be insulated by raising the floorboards and laying mineral wool insulation supported by netting between the joists. This process is relatively easy if there is a cellar or an access hatch allowing entry to the crawlspace (void) below the floorboards. If not, the floorboards will need to be taken up. It is important to consider the propensity of timber floors for air leakage. Attention is needed when relaying old floorboards or installing new ones, to ensure that all joints between boards are adequately sealed.	+	=== Upgrading an existing concrete floor slab ===

−	~~Upgrading an existing concrete floor slab:~~ Newer homes are far more likely to have a ground floor made of solid concrete. The simplest method of installation is to add insulation and a new floor deck on top of the existing floor. However, raising the floor level will usually require floor coverings skirtings, radiators and electrical fittings are removed and re-fitted, as well as reducing the heights of doors.	+	Newer homes are far more likely to have a ground floor made of solid concrete. The simplest method of installation is to add insulation and a new floor deck on top of the existing floor. However, raising the floor level will usually require floor coverings skirtings, radiators and electrical fittings are removed and re-fitted, as well as reducing the heights of doors.

	= Find out more =		= Find out more =
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	* Transparent insulation		* Transparent insulation
	* Types of floor.		* Types of floor.
		+	* Types of insulation.
	* U-value		* U-value
	* Vapour barrier		* Vapour barrier

Editor at 12:20, 28 June 2017

2017-06-28T12:20:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:20, 28 June 2017
Line 117:		Line 117:
	* Thermal insulation for buildings		* Thermal insulation for buildings
	* Transparent insulation		* Transparent insulation
		+	* Types of floor.
	* U-value		* U-value
	* Vapour barrier		* Vapour barrier

−	External references	+	=== External references ===

	* [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan]		* [http://www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/Knowledge-Base/Building-Regulations.aspx Kingspan]