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home-insulation

How easy is DIY home insulation?

home-insulationWith the air finally turning chilly after the mild start to winter, thoughts are turning to how best to keep homes cosy and warm. One of the surest ways to retain heat is to fully insulate your property – but should you call in the professionals or do it yourself?

Several areas around the home can benefit from insulation, such as cavity walls, solid walls, flooring, roofs and attic space. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of energy in an uninsulated house is lost through the roof, so there is no doubt that good insulation can shave pounds off your energy bills. Paying a professional to install insulation in a detached home costs, on average, £395, with savings of around £240 every year afterwards.

Do it yourself home insulation

It is possible to fit loft insulation yourself if youÔÇÖre a natural at DIY and the space is easy to get to, isnÔÇÖt damp and doesnÔÇÖt have a flat roof. One of the most common types of insulation is batt or blanket insulation, which comes in rolls of foil-backed glass, rock, felt or mineral fibre. The insulation should be at least 270mm thick and is easy to install.

Note that if youÔÇÖre laying down boards in order to use the attic for storage, it isnÔÇÖt enough to simply insulate between the joists first. One option is to insulate between the joists before laying rigid insulation boards on top, with wooden boards on top again. Alternatively, you can raise the level of the floor, fitting the insulation underneath. Take care not to squash the insulation with the boards, as this will make it less effective.

If your loft or attic is to be used as a room, itÔÇÖs advisable to insulate the roof itself, rather than the floorboards, by fixing rigid insulation boards between the rafters. The boards should fit snugly and can then be covered with insulated plasterboard.

floor-insulationInsulating the floor is also a job you can tackle yourself, especially if underneath the floorboards is a cellar or basement that you can get to. Check first that joists are in good condition and fit the insulation between them, then fix plasterboard to the undersides of the joists to create a basement ‘ceiling’. For even more warmth, a layer of rigid insulation can be fitted beneath this ceiling too.

When replacing the floorboards, seal any gaps between and around them before laying carpet or adding rugs.

When to hire a professional home insulation installer

If your loft is damp or has a flat roof, you will need to call in a professional. Similarly, cavity wall insulation is not something you can do yourself and you will have to hire a registered installer. According to the EST, an uninsulated house loses around two thirds of its heat through the walls, so cavity wall insulation is a worthwhile investment that takes about two hours and leaves no mess.

To find an insulation installer in your area, contact the National Insulation Association, whose members agree to follow a code of professional practice to ensure excellent customer service. Historic England, Historic Scotland and Cadw can advise on insulating a traditionally made property.

home-insulationHome insulation grants

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get help with the cost of insulating your home. Take a look at the GovernmentÔÇÖs energy grants calculator to see if youÔÇÖre eligible.

flatpack-kitchen

Bathrooms and kitchens top home renovation list

install-kitchenFitting new bathrooms and kitchens are the most popular property renovation projects, a survey has shown, whilst homeowners are also adding value by knocking through rooms, converting cellars and giving their garden a makeover.

Almost half the homeowners who have carried out a major home improvement in the last three years have installed a new bathroom, closely followed by nearly four out of 10 who have opted for a new kitchen. A third of homeowners have modernised their boiler or central heating system, whilst seven per cent have added an extra bedroom.

But with nearly half of those surveyed admitting they didnÔÇÖt inform their home insurer about the work carried out, property owners are being warned they are at risk of invalidating their cover if they donÔÇÖt update their policy details.

The home improvement research, commissioned by Gocompare.com Home Insurance, found that the top 10 renovation projects were:

  • Fitting a new bathroom, 44%
  • Fitting a new kitchen, 39%
  • Installing a new boiler or central heating system, 33%
  • Carrying out a garden makeover, 28%
  • Building an extension, 16%
  • Knocking through rooms, 11%
  • Fitting solar panels, 11%
  • Converting the attic, 10%
  • Adding a bedroom, 7%
  • Converting the cellar, 6%

The survey also found that 22% of homeowners are extending or improving with a view to staying in their property for at least three years, whilst five per cent are carrying out the work with view to selling their home within the same timeframe.

home-buildingGocompare.com’s Ben Wilson says: ÔÇ£As well as making your home a nicer place to live, a major renovation project can add to the value of your property and household contents.┬á For example, when modernising a kitchen with new cabinets and worktops, many people will also buy a new cooker, fridge freezer or other appliances and furniture, increasing both the value of their propertyÔÇÖs rebuilding costs and household contents.┬á So, youÔÇÖll need to review your insurance to make sure that youÔÇÖve got adequate cover for your new investment.

ÔÇ£Also, if your renovation involves scaffolding or removing doors or windows for any length of time, your property will be less secure, so your insurer may increase your premiums to reflect the increased risk while the work is being carried out.ÔÇØ

Homeowners are also advised to brush up on home insurersÔÇÖ rules regarding unoccupied properties.┬á ÔÇ£Most policies stipulate that if you leave your home unoccupied for a period of time, typically exceeding 30 or 60 days*, then your property will not be covered for certain events including theft, malicious damage and escape of water,ÔÇØ adds Ben. ÔÇ£ThereÔÇÖs no standard definition of ÔÇÿoccupiedÔÇÖ, so, if youÔÇÖre planning to live elsewhere during refurbishment works, itÔÇÖs essential that you talk to your insurer first to make sure you understand the implications.

ÔÇ£Most home insurance policies donÔÇÖt cover tradesmen or their work, so you should always check that they have their own insurance in place.┬á ItÔÇÖs also wise to check that they are qualified to carry out the work and registered with a recognised governing body.ÔÇØ

For more information on home improvements and your insurance, read Gocompare.comÔÇÖs handy guide.

Main image courtesy of Do It Yourself Kitchens