Soundproofing UK

If you feel like damp is regularly making its way into your roof, you may benefit from applying a tile sealer to reinforce your roof and protect from hairline cracks.

Jun

2019

4 ways to make your roof more weatherproof

Weatherproof your roof to protect your home’s structure and keep dampness at bay.

Your roof is your home’s first line of defence against the elements. Wind, rain, ice and snow will all batter your roof over the years, so it’s important to take measures to ensure that your roof is as weatherproof as possible.

Taking precautions with your roof will help it to effectively protect your home from the weather and save you money and hassle in the long run.

Here are four ways to get started with weatherproofing your roof.

Maintain gutters

One of the commonest causes of roof leaks and damage is blocked or broken guttering. Your gutters protect your roof by directing water away from it. If your gutter becomes blocked or broken, then it will need immediate attention to stop water from overflowing onto your roof. Regularly inspecting, clearing and cleaning your gutters helps to prevent problems occurring.

Lead flashing

Roof flashing is sheet metal applied to your roof’s joints and edges to seal it and prevent water from leaking in. Flashing plays a very important part in protecting your roof from the rain so it’s important to ensure that it is applied in all the right places and remains in good condition. Flashing comes in a variety of materials including copper, steel and aluminium, but lead flashing is the most durable and long-lasting option.

Repair and maintain tiles

Any cracks or holes in your roof will allow water to seep in, potentially causing expensive damage to your belongings and your property’s structure. Ensure that any cracked or missing tiles are repaired or replaced quickly to avoid further damage occurring. If you feel like damp is regularly making its way into your roof, you may benefit from applying a tile sealer to reinforce your roof and protect from hairline cracks.

Spray foam

Applying spray foam to the underside of your roof is extremely effective at sealing and reinforcing your roof to prevent the ingress of rain, snow and dirt. As well as weatherproofing your roof, spray foam also acts as an excellent thermal insulator, keeping your home warmer and lowering your energy bills.

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

Jun

2019

What is nail sickness and how is it fixed?

If you’re regularly having problems with loose or missing roof tiles, it could be a sign that your roof is suffering with nail sickness.

Nail sickness is a term used to describe the natural deterioration of the nails that hold your roof tiles in place. Over a long period, it is natural for nails to corrode and rust. Unfortunately, if all your roof tiles were attached at the same time you will find that all the nails begin to deteriorate at a similar time too.

Nail sickness is more common in older properties with very old nails, particularly because the nails used in older buildings were generally of a poorer quality than those used today.

If you suspect that your roof may be suffering with nail sickness, it’s important to call in an expert immediately and not leave the problem to worsen. Falling and missing roof tiles are not only a safety hazard, they could also cause significant damage to your property by letting in rain, which will cause damp and structural damage over time.

Repairing a nail sick roof

A professional roofing contractor will be able to inspect the condition of your roof and advise you on the extent of the damage. In some cases, it may only be a small section of the roof that is affected, in which case repairs can be carried out to this section only. Generally, though, nail sickness will affect the entire roof, in which case you have a couple of options for fixing the problem.

Strip and re-slate the roof–Your first option is to have your entire roof replaced by stripping and re-slating it. The price of a new roof will vary depending on several factors including the size of your roof and the materials used, but it is generally an extensive job which can be very expensive.

Apply spray foam to the underside of the roof– An affordable alternative to re-roofing is to have spray foam applied to the underside of your roof. Spray foam will bond your roof tiles to each other and to your roof’s structural timber to cure nail sickness. It also provides your roof with excellent weather-resistance and thermal insulation.

For more information about our spray foamor to book a free consultation, give our team a call on 0800 028 4042.

Jun

2019

What is nail sickness and how is it fixed?

If you’re regularly having problems with loose or missing roof tiles, it could be a sign that your roof is suffering with nail sickness.

Nail sickness is more common in older properties with very old nails, particularly because the nails used in older buildings were generally of a poorer quality than those used today.

Repairing a nail sick roof

For more information about our spray foamor to book a free consultation, give our team a call on 0800 028 4042.

Feb

2019

3 Simple Sound Insulation Ideas

These simple sound proofing ideas will be ideal for most properties and in some cases even for historic listed buildings if you don’t wish to go through the planning permission process.

Acoustic blinds or curtains
If your building is poorly insulated against noise from outside, then acoustic blinds or curtains can go some way to reducing the amount of noise entering rooms. It is important to remember however that insulating your room this way will be good at reducing echoes in a room but only when they are closed which is ok at night but you will need other sound proofing measures for daytime.

Synthetic grass
Fake synthetic grass is popular with gardeners that like the low maintenance aspect of it but it is also being put to use as a form of insulation. Whether it is laid on floors or walls it has proven to be a good soundproofing material if you like your spaces green and natural looking.

Acoustic panels
The beauty of acoustic panels is they are effective at insulating sound coming through walls and they can be decorative. But if your property is listed you may still need planning permission to install them.

Dec

2018

Is Your Insulation Fire Rated?

You may be starting a new insulation project or considering replacing the insulation you have as the cold winter months set in but have you thought about the fire resistance of the material you’re using? Before fitting insulation, it is important to consider how it might behave in a fire to ensure you are making the best choice and don’t end up with a material that catches fire easily or readily emits toxic smoke. With this in mind here are the most common insulation types together with information on how resistant they are to fire.

Rockwool
Mineral is regarded as one of the best materials when it comes to fire resistance. It is able to withstand heat more than 700 ºF above that of the average home fire.

Spray Foam
Many people assume spray foam to be flammable but it actually contains fire retardants. The material also fills air gaps more effectively than other insulation types cutting off the air that is a major ingredient allowing fires to spread.

Foam Board
Foam board might be cheap and readily available but it certainly isn’t a good performer when it is subjected to heat from fires. Add to this the toxic fumes you get when it burns and you may need to reconsider installing it

Nov

2018

Tips to Consider When Choosing Insulation

Once you have decided you need insulation for your home or other type of property the next step is to consider which type of insulation is best.

There is certainly no shortage of choice in stores and online making it difficult to decide which way to go. Some types of insulation will be better at absorbing sound while other types offer better thermal properties.

So, if you are having problems deciding on the best material here are some handy tips to help you.

Cost
The cost of insulation will vary widely. Some materials may seem cheap but as we will explore in the next point, the cheapest insulation isn’t always the easiest to install.

Ease of fitting
Insulation can come in a variety of different forms. Most commonly you can buy it in a role but it is also manufactured as solid boards and can come in spray form too. Some types such as spray foam will require specialist equipment and breathing apparatus to install and is usually applied by a professional.

Environmental impact
Often overlooked the environmental impact is an important consideration when choosing insulation. While you will save energy installing insulation it is worth finding out what the impact is to the immediate environment as well as externally.

Nov

2018

The Relationship Between Climate and Insulation

Most of us know that insulation is an important part of any building we occupy and increasingly so now that we are being forced to consider how much energy and consequently money we are wasting.

Money is also a factor in the type of insulation people choose for their homes. Often there are attempts to go it alone and do a DIY job to save even more. After all there are plenty of helpful videos available on Internet or advice from friends to teach you. What often cannot easily be gained from watching other people’s experiences is the insulating materials and methods you’ll need for different types of climate.

Climate is one of the key considerations when choosing insulations and depending on where you live in the UK some insulation types can be better than others. If you live in western parts of the UK the climate is often wet and windy for a large part of the year as this part of the country takes the brunt of weather coming from the stormy Atlantic. That said, temperatures don’t usually fluctuate too rapidly.

The east side of the UK can get very cold with temperatures fluctuating wildy at times as the cold North sea often exerts its influence. Weather in the east is also drier than the west.

In the South East, the weather is particularly dry through summer and also warmer with hotter summers.

So if you live in a colder climate keeping out cold will be the priority whereas in the warmer parts of the country keeping out heat while also protecting against the cold will be the priority.

Oct

2018

How Long Can You Expect Your Insulation To Last?

Most people will ask about how long things like roof tiles and flooring will last but few people consider insulation. One thing is certain, no matter what insulation you use, it won’t last forever and certain types of insulation are known to last longer than others. So let’s look at the different types of insulation commonly used and compare their lifespans and durability.

Spray foam insulation
Spray foam insulation has increased in popularity due to its excellent durability and ease of application. It is also much better at resisting mold growth and sealing any air leaks than alternative forms of insulation. You can also look forward to low maintenance over its lifetime. The only drawback is that its lifespan is around 80 years but this is a minor one unless you expect to still be around 80 years from so you can still technically say it will last you more than a lifetime.

Fiberglass Insulation
Fibreglass is the type of insulation you will find in most homes. The material is also extremely durable and provides an excellent defence against humidity. It is also cheaper than most alternatives which is why you will still find this type of insulation in most homes. This type of insulation is expected to last 100 years but wear and tear can take its toll and reduce lifespan if it isn’t inspected regularly.

Recycled Paper Insulation
Recycled paper is another excellent choice and the main thing it has going for it is its limited impact on the environment. This type of insulation can last for 100 years although it is less commonly used than other materials such as fibre glass and spray foam.

Oct

2018

3 Signs Your Home Isn’t Insulated Properly

Insulating your home is more important today than it has ever been. In the past the only consideration was for the comfort of the occupants but now a home must reach a certain standard for energy efficiency to be let to tenants or receive a fine. So it pays to be aware of these 3 signs of an uninsulated home.

Draughty rooms
Draughts can come from all sorts of places in the home but the most common sources of drafts are windows and around gaps in doors. Replacing windows and doors is the best way to resolve this issue.

Walls, ceilings and floors feel cold to the touch
If lofts are not insulated properly you may be able to tell by touching walls and ceilings and checking to see if they feel cold. If upstairs bedrooms feel cold it could be a sign that radiators are not working as well as they should or the insulation above needs replacing.

Hot in the summer cold in the winter
One of the biggest giveaways of a poorly insulated room is marked fluctuations in temperature. An extreme example is when you have an unheated uninsulated conservatory that is virtually unusable in the winter and on hot summer days. While rooms within the house are unlikely to be as bad as this, you will still notice that temperatures in the room are not as comfortable as other rooms.

Sep

2018

The Challenges Of Insulating A Barn Conversion

Barn conversions can make the most attractive homes but they can also be challenging projects not only from a build point of view but also when it comes to thermal efficiency.

Nowadays thermal efficiency is a much more important consideration than it has been in the past. Property owners must now include Energy Performance Certificates when advertising a property for rent or sale and this obviously influences the decision to rent or buy a property. Few people are going to pay their hard earned cash to live in a poorly insulated property or one that scores poorly on its EPC.

So one of the main challenges when converting a barn is making sure it is conforms to modern building and energy efficiency standards. Insulating high vaulted ceilings can be difficult as attractive as they are, but there is a way to cut the cost and achieve those all important efficiency scores. That is to use spray foam insulation.

This can be applied quickly and easily and dramatically cuts down the time it takes to apply insulation so that your barn conversion ticks all the boxes for your prospective buyers. If you require more information on insulating your property give us a call today.

Metropolitan Insulation Blog