Insulate Your Home

If I was to tell you that a coat of paint would help supress noise you might think I was mad.

Dec

2020

Why it is important to insulate your house

Insulating your house is of paramount importance for various reasons. It not only contributes to energy efficiency and cost savings but also enhances comfort, reduces environmental impact, and improves overall well-being. Insulation acts as a barrier against heat transfer, preventing the loss of warmth during colder months and minimizing heat gain during hotter months. Here are some key reasons why it is important to insulate your house:

Energy efficiency: Insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature. By reducing heat transfer through walls, floors, and roofs, insulation helps to minimize the need for heating and cooling systems, thereby lowering energy consumption and utility bills. A well-insulated house can significantly improve energy efficiency, leading to substantial cost savings over time.
Comfort: Insulation creates a thermal barrier that helps to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce drafts. It keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer, ensuring a comfortable living environment for you and your family. Insulation also helps to minimise noise transmission, providing a quieter and more peaceful indoor atmosphere.
Environmental impact: Insulating your house is an effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. By reducing energy consumption, insulation helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems. It contributes to sustainable living by conserving resources and promoting environmental responsibility.
Moisture control: Insulation acts as a moisture barrier, preventing condensation and dampness from entering your home. It helps to control humidity levels, reducing the risk of mold growth, mildew, and associated health issues. Proper insulation safeguards the structural integrity of your house by protecting against moisture-related damage.
Health benefits: Insulation not only improves physical comfort but also promotes better indoor air quality. By minimizing drafts and air leakage, insulation helps to prevent the infiltration of pollutants, allergens, and outdoor contaminants. This is especially beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions or allergies, as insulation contributes to a healthier living environment.
Property value: Insulating your house enhances its market value and desirability. Energy-efficient homes with proper insulation are increasingly sought after by homebuyers due to the long-term cost savings and environmental benefits they offer. Insulation is considered a valuable investment that can pay off in terms of increased property resale value.

In conclusion, insulating your house is a vital step towards energy efficiency, comfort, and environmental sustainability. It provides numerous benefits, including reduced energy consumption, cost savings, improved comfort, moisture control, enhanced indoor air quality, and increased property value. By insulating your house, you contribute to a greener future while enjoying a more comfortable and healthier living environment.

Mar

2020

7 reasons why you should choose spray foam insulation

But what other advantages does using this kind of insulation provide?

1. Dynamic insulation

One of the great advantages of spray foam is that it expands on contact to dynamically seal all spaces, no matter how awkward. This means it gives a total seal with no gaps that traditional insulation can leave behind.

2. Great energy savings

Most homeowners would love to save some money on their energy bills each month. Using spray foam insulation helps here as it reduces your energy usage and the money you spend on it by regulating the temperature in your home.

3. Space saving solution

You would be surprised at how much space you can save using this insulation. When added to your roofline, you can get up to 10 inches more loft storage or even convert the space into another room.

4. Stops air filtration

If you have spaces where cold air is coming in and warm air is escaping, then this is poor for your overall insulation. Spray foam is great for reducing air filtration and helping your home to stay warmer.

5. Healthier living

Many people who suffer from illnesses like asthma often feel better after this insulation is installed. As spray foam gives a complete seal to the property, it stops airborne pollutants from causing issues.

6. It is tough

When you insulate your home, you want to use something that will last a long time. Spray foam insulation is a great option as it is tough and durable.

7. It is good for the planet

As well as helping to cut down on your bills, spray foam loft insulation will also help to save the planet. As you will use less energy, you will have less impact on the earth around you.

Let Metropolitan Insulation help today

If you like the sound of what spray foam insulation can offer, call us today. We are spray foam experts in the installation of this insulation for all kinds of property. If you want to save energy, money and space, get in touch with us now.

Call us now 0800 028 4042

Jan

2020

Benefits of spray foam insulation for historic or listed buildings

Spray foam insulation is an ideal solution for securing tiles on the roofs of listed and historic buildings.

Spray foam insulation is applied to the underside of roofs to bond slates and tiles together, providing effective insulation and structural support.

Whilst spray foam insulation can benefit buildings of all different shapes, sizes and ages, it can be particularly useful for securing tiles on the roofs of historic or listed buildings, here’s why:

Preserve appearance

It is very important to preserve the appearance and original character of historic and listed buildings by retaining original features and materials where possible. Securing and sealing the existing roof with spray foam can help to bond the existing roof and tiles together to cure nail fatigue and avoid the need to replace roofing materials.

Protect roof tiles against theft

Very old and listed buildings are also more likely to have valuable tiles on their roofs, including lead tiles, which are frequently targeted by thieves.

Bonding your roof’s tiles together and to the roof’s structure using spray foam will help to protect valuable roof tiles from being stolen.

Further benefits of spray foam insulation

As well as protecting and preserving the outer appearance of historic and listed buildings, spray foam insulation provides a whole host of other benefits including:

Affordable solution to re-roofing.
Makes the roof weather-resistant.
Seals the roof to get rid of air leaks and draughts.
Improves the building’s energy efficiency.
Keeps the building feeling warm and comfortable.
Prevents condensation build-up.
Reduces the risk of pipes and tanks freezing.

The spray foam we install at Metropolitan Insulation prevents interstitial condensation, whilst also allowing the roof’s battens to ‘breathe’. It also meets Class 1 Surface Spread of Flame when tested to BS 476 Part 7:1997.

For more information about our spray foam insulation, or to request a free consultation, get in touch with our team by calling us on 0800 028 4042.

Jan

2020

Noisy household appliances and how to stop them being a nuisance

You may be used to the familiar sounds of your household appliances whirring, buzzing and humming, but have you considered how the noise pollution in your home could be affecting your health?

According to the World Health Organisation, being exposed to noise that exceeds 55db can disturb sleep and cause stress, having a negative effect on health and wellbeing.

Other more serious illnesses that have been linked to exposure to high noise levels include heart disease, hearing problems, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Whilst we may quickly find excessive noise from our neighbours or traffic outside extremely irritating, many of us accept and put up with the noise made by our household appliances.

Some of the noisiest appliances in our homes include:

Hairdryers
Vacuum cleaners
Food processors
Washing machines
Dishwashers
Air conditioning
Extractor fans
Refrigerators
Lawnmowers

If you have appliances in your home that make an excessive noise, there are steps you can take to try to minimise the effect they have on your health and wellbeing.

Close doors

Unless you have a home with an open plan design, simply remembering to close doors whilst very noisy appliances are being used can help to reduce the level of noise you and your family are being subjected to.

Replace noisy appliances with low noise Quiet Mark appliances

Quiet Mark is an international mark of approval given to certain low noise appliances by the UK’s Noise Abatement Society.

Soundproof your home

Speak to our team of experts here at Metropolitan Insulation about our domestic soundproofing and sound insulation services. We install a variety of different acoustic insulation solutions including absorbing foams, sound barrier mats, acoustic tiles, sound absorbing diffusers, and sound screens.

For more information about our services or to discuss your requirements, give us a call on 0800 028 4042.

Dec

2019

Does vermiculate insulation contain asbestos?

Should you be concerned if you have vermiculate insulation in your roof?

Vermiculate insulation is commonly used to insulate building roofs and walls. If you have vermiculate insulation in your home, you may be concerned by reports that some vermiculate can contain asbestos.

If your vermiculate insulation was installed after 1990 then you’ll be relieved to know that it is unlikely to contain asbestos. There is however a chance that older vermiculate insulation could be contaminated with the dangerous substance.

What is vermiculate?

Vermiculate is a natural material that expands when it is heated, making it ideal for insulation. It is flaky material that looks a little like grey, lightweight gravel.

Vermiculate and asbestos

In its natural form, vermiculate is not dangerous and does not contain asbestos. However, prior to the 1990s, most vermiculate originated from one mine in America which was contaminated with asbestos, later causing problems for over 35 million homeowners in the USA.

Unfortunately, vermiculate from the same mine was imported to the UK for use as insulation in our homes prior to the 1990s, so it is possible that if your home contains very old vermiculate insulation it could too be contaminated with asbestos.

How to deal with old vermiculate insulation

Asbestos is a very dangerous substance that poses numerous health risks. It is a known carcinogen and can cause a variety of serious lung diseases and health problems.

If you suspect that your insulation could be contaminated by asbestos, then it is very important not to touch or disturb it any way as asbestos is most dangerous when it becomes airborne.

Instead, seek help from a professional who is licensed in the removal of asbestos. They can then test for the presence of asbestos and safely remove the insulation if necessary.

Spray foam insulation

If you are removing old insulation from your roof, then it will need to be replaced with a new insulation material to keep your home warm, comfortable and energy efficient.

Speak to our team here at Metropolitan Insulation about the benefits of our spray foam roof insulation by calling us on 0800 028 4042.

Nov

2019

5 tips for a warmer home this winter

Use the tips in this blog to keep your home warm and your heating bills down this winter, for a cosier and more energy-efficient home.

As winter draws in, now is a good time to take measures to make your home more energy-efficient.

Not only will this keep you feeling warm and comfortable, it will also reduce your energy bills and lower your carbon footprint.

Draught-proof

Tiny spaces, holes and cracks around windows, doors, floorboards and pipework all allow cold air to creep into your home. Draught excluders and insulating tape can be used to quickly and affordably seal your home and keep it feeling warm and cosy.

Insulate your roof

On average, 25% of a house’s heat is lost through its roof. If your roof is not yet insulated, then installing insulation can help to make your home feel more comfortable and reduce your energy bills.

At Metropolitan Insulation, we install spray foam insulation to the underside of the roof, filling and sealing all cracks and gaps in the roof to keep your home warm and strengthen your roof.

Bleed radiators

Make sure your radiators are in full working order and operating energy-efficiently by bleeding them before the cold weather sets in. Simply use a radiator bleed key from a DIY store to gently open the radiator’s valve and allow any trapped air to escape.

Shut your curtains

Invest in thick, high quality thermal curtains for your windows, particularly very large ones. Prevent warm air from escaping out of your windows by drawing your curtains as soon as it begins to get dark in the evenings, preferably before your heating comes on.

Buy a thick rug

Wooden floorboards look beautiful, but heat escapes through the floor and they can also be draughty during the colder months. Laying a large thick rug over your floorboards can help to prevent heat loss and keep your floor feeling warm and comfortable underfoot.

For more information about the spray foam roof insulation that we offer here at Metropolitan Insulation, or to book a free consultation, give our team a call on 0800 028 4042.

Sep

2019

Why and how to eliminate thermal bridges from your property

To effectively insulate a property, it’s important to eliminate thermal bridges.

Sometimes referred to as a cold bridge, a thermal bridge is a weak point in a property’s insulation.

Thermal bridges most commonly occur when there is a gap or hole in a building material where heat loss occurs. They also occur at areas near highly conductive materials like wood, metal and steel. Areas susceptible to thermal bridges include joints between the roof, walls and floor, and holes made for running cables and pipes through the building.

Why eliminate thermal bridges?

Benefits of eliminating thermal bridges from your property include:

Decreases heat loss.
Makes the property more energy efficient.
Makes the property more comfortable.
Reduces energy bills.
Reduces risk of condensation, mould and damp problems.

How to eliminate thermal bridges from your property

Design and build with thermal bridging in mind– the most effective way to eliminate thermal bridges from your property is to take care when building or decorating to consider thermal bridges in the design and plan. Of course, this doesn’t help with any existing problems.

Fill cracks and gaps– If you discover any cracks or gaps in your property’s structure, then they should be sealed immediately by fixing or filling them.

Replace old windows and doors– Draughty old windows, doors and frames should be replaced with new and energy efficient UPVC versions.

Wall insulation– In some instances, thermal bridges are caused by less obvious problems than a hole in the wall or ceiling. If elements of your building’s structure are causing repeating thermal bridges, you can rectify them by installing wall insulation. Depending on your property type, either cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, or internal wall insulation may be suitable.

Foam spray insulation – If thermal bridging is present in your roof, spray foam insulation can effectively seal the roof, preventing air leakages and providing a vapour control layer to control condensation.

For more information about spray foam insulation, or to book a free consultation, give our team here at Metropolitan Insulation a call on 0800 028 4042.

Sep

2019

What are thermal bridges?

Understanding thermal bridges can help you to strengthen your building’s insulation and minimise heat loss.

When insulating your home, you may hear the term thermal bridge, or cold bridge, thrown around a lot.

Thermal bridges are generally considered bad, so it’s important to understand what one is, so that you can minimise the risk of thermal bridges occurring in your home.

A thermal bridge is a weak point in your building’s insulation that causes heat loss. They are usually caused by a gap or hole in building materials, but also occur at areas made from highly conductive materials like wood, metal and steel.

As well as causing heat loss, thermal bridges can also cause condensation, mould and damp problems.

Types of thermal bridge

Construction– Construction thermal bridges are caused by a piece of construction material or a gap that runs through the building’s insulation.

Geometric– Geometric thermal bridges aren’t formed by physical materials or gaps; they can occur even when insulation is continuous. They are caused when the geometry of the thermal envelope causes increased heat loss and can be either two or three-dimensional.

Combined– Often thermal bridges will combine elements of both construction and geometric thermal bridging.

Repeating– This type of thermal bridge repeats at regular intervals throughout the thermal envelope. Examples of areas where repeating thermal bridges may occur include ceiling joists, ground floor joists, and steel wall ties.

Non-repeating– These are usually one-off thermal bridges caused by discontinuities. Examples include gaps around windows and doors or in internal wall or floor junctions.

Spray insulation is an excellent material for improving thermal insulation as it moulds to the shape of your building, effectively filling and sealing any holes or gaps in your building materials.

For more information about spray foam insulation, or to book a free consultation, give our team here at Metropolitan Insulation a call on 0800 028 4042.

Jan

2017

Lesser Known Ways To Insulate Your Home

Whether it’s noise from a partially deaf neighbour who always has the TV on too loud at night or next door’s children learning to play the violin, noise can really impact on your quality of life over time. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to insulate your house for sound. Here are some you may not have heard of.

Paint
If I was to tell you that a coat of paint would help supress noise you might think I was mad. To be exact though a good quality rendered external wall coating can be a good first step towards peace and quiet.

Wallpaper
You might think that wallpaper is just for decoration or feature walls but if it has the right properties, it can also contribute towards sound insulation. Thermal wallpaper not only helps insulate the home by keeping heat in, those same insulating properties can also insulate against sound coming from the other side of the wall.

Curtains
Thick curtains are making a comeback and that’s a good thing for anyone wanting to insulate their homes against noise.

Large pictures
Artwork can be something more than just something to admire. A large painting placed on the wall can provide a basis for an excellent buffer against sound coming from next door.

None of the above will eliminate noise problems, but at least they are a start. If you need further advice, please contact one of our experts.

Metropolitan Insulation Blog