Soundproofing your Home

As the owner of a commercial property, you should ensure that a survey is carried out to assess whether there is any asbestos present in your building.

Jun

2020

Block Noise From Neighbours

Metropolitan Insulation Soundproofing Guide

Plant Some Trees along your fencing

Planting trees around your yard can make a bit of a difference when it comes to blocking out your neighbour’s noise. Over the long term, trees can also help keep your back garden cooler and more private during the summer months.

Soundproofing the walls in your home

If you have a shared wall with your noisy neighbour, then that’s most likely how the loud noise is getting to you.

One of the most common ways to soundproof a shared wall is by using acoustic soundproofing panels or spray foam insulation. You mainly see these in recording studios, but they can be used in apartments and houses as well. Acoustic foam is a great substitute if you don’t want to cover your walls with wallpaper.

If you don’t want to spend any money on soundproofing a shared wall, you can simply rearrange pieces of furniture inside your home. First of all, you’ll need to fill the room that contains your shared wall with more furniture, as this will prevent unwanted noise from bouncing off of the walls.

We recommend that you place bookshelves, couches, dressers and such in front of your shared wall, although you should keep in mind that this method won’t bring about dramatic results.

If you need sound insulation make it Metropolitan Insulation. For a free consultation please contact our friendly team now. Tel: 0800 028 4042 Or email your enquiry

Jun

2020

Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment: What’s the Difference?

Sound can be divided into two types: direct and indirect. Starting from the source, the sound travels in outward directions all around.

Direct travels in a straight line, whereas the reflected or indirect, randomly bounces in the room and between its surfaces.

Indirect sounds are echoes, reverbs, vibrations and similar. Direct sound remains the same, but the reflected change the original sound.

The change is either good or bad, depending on the size of the room, and its properties.

What Is Soundproofing?

The purpose of soundproofing is to block or minimise the level of sounds, both those traveling in and outside of the room.

So, the main idea is to have the sound focused – do not let the desired one get out, and, at the same time, do not let the unwanted ones come in!

This can be done either by blocking or sealing.

Sealing refers to all those tiny gaps, particularly in windows and doors.

What Is Acoustic Treatment?

Quite opposite from the previously mentioned, where the main idea is to block the sound, the purpose of acoustic treatment is to control the sound.

This particularly refers to indirect sounds, such as echoes, vibrations and similar.

So, it’s about controlling the sound that’s exclusively inside the room.

Soundproofing or Acoustic Treatment – Which to Choose?

Before you get down to business, be sure to know what exactly are you looking for? Do you want to reduce the echo?

Or you want to block all the sound except for the one you are making?

These are some of the questions you have to answer so that you know what the problem you have to deal with is.

Besides this, the dimensions of your room, as well as its shape are key factors.

If it’s in a building, that means dealing with numerous outside sounds as well.

The simple evaluation of the acoustic properties of your room is the best way to decide what you need.

Sometimes the help of a professional is needed in order to adjust the room as best as possible.

For more information and advice on what would be the best option for you, contact Metropolitan Insulation today and we’ll happy to help.

Feb

2020

How to protect a lead roof from thieves

Lead has been popularly used as a high quality roofing material for many years due to its durability, resistance to corrosion and malleability.

Lead is commonly found in the roofs of schools and churches but can also be found on some commercial and residential properties too.

Unfortunately, over recent years, the value of metals like lead have dramatically risen, making properties with lead roofing a target for thieves.

As the value of lead soars, more and more people are returning to their properties to find their roofs have been stripped by thieves who will then sell the lead as scrap metal.

Here are five ways to protect a lead roof from thieves.

Remove access to roof

Don’t make it easy for thieves to access your roof. Remove ladders, bins, or garden furniture that may make it easier for thieves to scale your building and prune back any nearby trees that might provide easy access to the roof.

Secure the perimeter

Make sure the boundaries surrounding your property are secure and always keep your gate locked to make it difficult for thieves to access the property.

Apply anti-climb paint

Consider applying anti-climb paints to your property’s drainpipes to make it difficult for thieves to climb them. Remember, if you choose to do this, you’ll also need signs informing of the anti-climb paint for liability reasons, these also make excellent deterrents.

Install CCTV and security lighting

The presence of CCTV systems and security lighting is often enough of a deterrent in itself to stop opportunist thieves in their tracks.

Apply spray foam insulation

When you apply spray foam insulation to the underside of your property’s roof, not only will it improve your property’s energy efficiency, it can also help to prevent lead theft. Spray foam insulation works by bonding your roofing materials to each other and to the roof’s structural timbers. This makes your roof stronger and prevents thieves from easily removing materials from your roof.

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.

Feb

2020

Can you replace the tiles on a foam insulated roof?

Spray foam insulation bonds the tiles on your roof together, but replacing a damaged tile is still simple enough when you know how.

When spray foam is applied to the underside of a property’s roof it bonds the roofing materials to each other and to the structural timber, holding everything securely in place.

As well as sealing all gaps and cracks in the roof to make the property warmer and more energy-efficient, spray foam can also help to protect and support your roof’s structure and increase its lifespan.

Whilst spray foam will make your roof stronger and more durable, it won’t make it invincible and it is still possible that tiles on your roof may become damaged.

If a tile on your foam insulated roof cracks or breaks then don’t worry, replacing it may be simpler than you think.

Removing a tile on a spray foam insulated roof

If a tile on your roof becomes broken, then it’s important to get it repaired as quickly as possible to prevent water leaking into your property and causing expensive damage.

To remove one or more tiles from a spray foam insulated roof you are likely to need to remove the insulation first.

You may wish to begin by using a saw or utility knife to cut away the majority of the foam that you need to remove. With the bulk of the foam gone, you should be able to scrub away the rest with a strong wire brush or sponge. It may help to apply a small amount of acetone before you scrub the foam to help to loosen the bond.

Once the foam has been removed, the broken tile can be replaced, and the spray foam will need to be restored to ensure that the insulation keeps working efficiently.

For further help or advice with repairing damaged tiles on a spray foam insulated roof, get in touch with our team of experts here at Metropolitan Insulation by calling us on 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.

Dec

2019

How to handle noisy neighbours

Excessive noise pollution from neighbours is not only annoying, with time it can also begin to negatively impact your health and wellbeing.

Even your dream home can turn into a nightmare if the wrong people move in next door. Whether it’s all-night parties, arguments, barking dogs or musical instruments, here are your options for dealing with noisy neighbours.

Communicate calmly

In most cases, people don’t even realise that their actions are disturbing those around them. The very first thing to do if your neighbours’ noise is disturbing you is to pop round and have a word with them face to face.

Make sure that you’re polite, amiable and calm and provide examples of times when their noise has disturbed you and how it has affected you or your family. Try to avoid letting the conversation turn confrontational.

Report noise to the council or a private landlord

If you have tried speaking to your neighbour about their noise to no avail, you may wish to report their behaviour to their landlord or to the council.

Before doing so it can be useful to keep a noise diary of all disturbances so that you have specific examples to talk about. The council has a duty to investigate activity that can be classed as a ‘statutory nuisance’, such as excessive noise.

If the property is privately rented, then your neighbour may be breaching a clause in their tenancy agreement.

Bear in mind that reporting your neighbours can raise tensions and it’s always best to try to resolve the problem between the two of you first if possible.

Mediation

Mediation is a process where parties meet up, usually in a neutral environment, and communicate to resolve a disagreement. Mediation is controlled by a trained independent third party and you may be required to pay for the service.

Go to court

Taking your neighbour to court should only be used as a very last resort. The process can be time-consuming, costly and very messy.

Install sound insulation on your home

It may not be that your neighbours are excessively noisy, it could just be that you have paper thin walls. If you can hear every cough and sneeze from next door, then the chances are that they can hear you too. If you plan on staying in the same house for the foreseeable future then installing sound insulation in your home could be a good investment for the future.

Oct

2019

What makes an eco-friendly roof?

Make one or more of these eco-friendly improvements to your roof to cut your carbon footprint and begin living more sustainably at home.

Not only will these eco-friendly roof updates look after our planet, they’ll help to look after your pennies too.

Insulate

Did you know that around 25% of heat is lost through an uninsulated roof?

Insulating your home is the best home improvement you can make for the environment. The less heat you’re losing, the less energy it will take to warm your home and the smaller your carbon footprint will be.

You and your family will feel the benefit too, as you’ll have a warmer and more comfortable home.

Spray foam is a highly effective roof insulation material as it bonds to the structure of your roof, filling and sealing gaps and cracks to get rid of all air leakage and strengthen your roof’s structure.

Find out more about our spray foam insulationservices here at Metropolitan Insulation by giving our team a call on 0800 028 4042.

Solar panels

Installing solar panels on your roof can be expensive but will dramatically reduce your energy bills in the long run as well as helping to look after the environment.

According to The Renewable Energy Hub, installing solar panels onto your home’s roof can cut your carbon footprint by up to 80% in just one year!

Natural materials

When choosing a roofing material, opt for durable, long-lasting and recyclable materials to reduce your carbon footprint.

Roofing shingles made from recyclable materials and reclaimed slate roof tiles are among some of the most environmentally friendly options.

Slate is an excellent option as it is 100% natural and requires very little energy to extract and process. It is also highly durable, weatherproof, and lasts for many years, making it cost-effective as well as environmentally-friendly.

Oct

2019

Home improvements to help fight climate change

Fighting climate change starts at home. Make one or more of these eco-friendly home improvements to reduce your carbon footprint.

According to the Committee on Climate Change’s report ‘UK housing: Fit for the future?’ domestic energy use accounts for 14% of the UK’s total carbon emissions.

As well as helping to fight climate change, living more sustainably and reducing your energy consumption can also help you to save money.

Insulate

Over half of domestic energy is used to heat our homes so it’s very important to insulate your home to minimise heat loss. Heat escapes through your home’s walls, roof, floors, windows and doors. Insulating one or more of these areas can help to reduce the amount of energy your home uses, cutting your carbon footprint as well as your energy bills.

Here at Metropolitan Insulation ourspray foam insulationbonds to the structure of your roof, filling and sealing all gaps and cracks to get rid of all air leakages and strengthen your roof’s structure. To find out more, give our team a call on 0800 028 4042.

Low-carbon heating systems

Many homes still use very old and inefficient gas or oil boilers and heating systems. Updating your boiler to a new and efficient model or a renewable energy heating system can significantly reduce your home’s carbon emissions

Solar panels

Installing solar panels on your roof can be very expensive, but the savings you will make on your energy bills should mean that the investment pays for itself over time. The renewable energy you generate can then be used for heating, hot water and electricity in your home.

Energy efficient home appliances

If you’re renovating your kitchen or utility room always shop around for energy efficient appliances. Check the energy ratings label on an appliance before buying, those with A+ ratings are more environmentally friendly and will cost less to run.

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.

Metropolitan Insulation Blog