Insulating Your Loft

Linked to exposure to high noise levels include heart disease, hearing problems, high blood pressure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

May

2023

The benefits of spray foam insulation

Spray foam insulation is a highly effective and versatile insulation option that offers a wide range of benefits for residential and commercial properties. It is applied as a liquid and expands into a foam, creating a seamless and airtight barrier. Here are some key benefits of spray foam insulation:

Superior insulation performance: Spray foam insulation provides exceptional thermal insulation properties, effectively sealing gaps, cracks, and voids. It forms a continuous and airtight barrier that minimises heat transfer, resulting in significant energy savings and improved energy efficiency. It outperforms other traditional insulation materials, such as fiberglass or cellulose, in terms of R-value, which measures thermal resistance.
Air leakage prevention: One of the major advantages of spray foam insulation is its ability to seal even the smallest gaps and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings. This prevents air leakage, which can account for a significant amount of energy loss in buildings. By creating an airtight envelope, spray foam insulation helps to maintain consistent indoor temperatures, reduces drafts, and enhances overall comfort.
Moisture control: Spray foam insulation acts as a moisture barrier, preventing the infiltration of water vapor. It resists moisture absorption and helps to control humidity levels within a building. By reducing the risk of condensation and moisture-related issues, such as mold growth and structural damage, spray foam insulation contributes to a healthier and more durable indoor environment.
Sound insulation: Spray foam insulation also provides excellent soundproofing properties. Its dense and closed-cell structure absorbs sound waves, reducing noise transmission between rooms and from external sources. This can significantly improve the acoustic comfort within a building, making it quieter and more conducive to work, rest, or relaxation.
Versatility and adaptability: Spray foam insulation can be applied to various surfaces, including walls, roofs, floors, and crawl spaces. It conforms to irregular shapes and contours, filling in gaps and ensuring a complete insulation coverage. This versatility allows for customised and precise installation, making spray foam insulation suitable for both new construction and retrofit projects.
Long-lasting performance: Spray foam insulation is known for its durability and long lifespan. Once applied, it remains stable and does not settle or deteriorate over time. This means that the insulation’s performance and effectiveness will last for many years, providing ongoing energy savings and benefits without the need for frequent replacements or maintenance.

In summary, spray foam insulation offers superior insulation performance, air leakage prevention, moisture control, sound insulation, versatility, and long-lasting performance. Its ability to create an airtight and seamless barrier makes it a highly efficient and effective insulation solution for both residential and commercial buildings. By choosing spray foam insulation, property owners can enjoy energy savings, improved comfort, enhanced indoor air quality, and a more sustainable and durable building envelope.

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.

Aug

2020

Loft Conversion – Is it worth the investment?

Certain features such as garages or porches have solid research behind them indicating the overall value they add to a home, but it can be difficult to assess less common features, such as a loft conversion, when deciding whether they’re worth the investment. As a homeowner, it can be easy to decide whether a renovation is worth it because personal value for the project comes into play. However, as an estate agent or landlord, you must consider how much value the project will ultimately add to your property and whether the cost is worth the investment. Take a look at whether a loft conversion is worth it in the long run.

Is a loft conversion worth the investment?

Renovating a loft can quickly add up to a major expense for your latest investment, which may lead you to question whether it’s worth it. If a loft conversion is done well — and especially if you are converting it into a bedroom or bathroom — it could provide a 50% to 75% return on investment (ROI). Not terrible when compared to low-ROI projects like adding a pool. Adding an ensuite bedroom and bathroom does cost about twice as much as simply enclosing the space into a room that could be used as a home office or storage space, but you are essentially adding a room count to your investment. Your two-bedroom, one-bath home can now be considered a three-bedroom, two-bath, adding a lot of value to its sale potential or rental desirability.

It is important to consult not only a licensed architect and contractor to create a functional space but also your local realtor to determine whether the market demand is there. Keep in mind that loft conversions are usually, but not always, smaller spaces, so demand in urban settings will probably be higher since space is already at a premium. A loft conversion is likely only worth the investment if done appropriately, but ultimately, you will need to do market research to ensure your investment is worth the returns.

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

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.

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.

Feb

2018

Read This Before Insulating Your Loft

Whether you already have some insulation in your loft or you need to start from scratch, here are some handy hints on the best ways to insulate.

When insulating a loft you will have two options – warm roof or cold roof. The latter might sound odd as we’re insulating right?
The problem with cold roof insulating is, you are only insulating the floor of the loft, which is only insulating the floors below against heat loss. The rest of the loft will be freezing cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

If you plan to store items in your loft, they will soon turn damp and musty in this environment. So the best solution all round is add warm roof insulation which can be sprayed on by a specialist like us for maximum coverage.

If you already have loft insulation, then there is the possibility that it doesn’t meet the current recommended thickness of 250mm to 270mm. Back in the 1980s the requirement was just 100mm. No wonder it was so cold in houses at that time!

If you are installing cold roof insulation you may need to strip out the existing insulation and replace it with new material to meet the correct thickness. Insulation panels tend to be supplied at standard thicknesses so the work can be done in one go.

If you require advice on insulating your loft, why not give us a call?

Metropolitan Insulation Blog