Issue 3 - Reducing heat loss through Solid and Timber Frame walls

Issue Date : 19th May 2009

Welcome to the Newry Democrat’s renewables and energy saving section brought to you by Kellys Renewable Energy Solutions (www.kellys.uk.com).  This week we will continue to look at the various ways of reducing heat loss through the walls of your house.

As we mentioned last week up to 35% of heat lost in your house is through your walls.  This week we shall look at solid walls which are usually found in older buildings and timber frame walls which are usually found in new builds.

Solid Walls

Solid walls can use internal or external insulation depending on the property.  External insulation is usually not used on a listed building as it would change its appearance.  External insulation is installed on to the outside walls by using mechanical fixings with bedded mortar and finished with a crack resistant render.

Internal insulation can be installed between fixed timber battens or installed directly onto the inside of the solid wall.  In most cases a vapour barrier is installed on the warm side of the internal insulation to combat moisture movement.  Internal insulation will slightly decrease the floor area of the building but this would vastly be outweighed through the energy savings you would achieve.

Timber Frame Walls

Timber frame buildings have become a lot more popular over the last 10-15 years. Timber frame construction eliminates the internal concrete block and replaces it with a timber stud. This timber stud is filled with insulation and sheeted internally with plasterboard. The timber stud can vary in size meaning a greater thickness in insulation thus reducing heat loss. The plasterboard on the inside of the timber frame wall absorbs considerably less heat than that of an internal concrete block, meaning that the internal temperature of the dwelling/building heats and cools quicker than that of the internal of a building constructed with concrete blocks.