Tag: insulation
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The Truth About Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation continues to be a hot topic. With a history of dodgy installations, and stories of mortgage woe, it’s fast becoming the bogeyman of the eco revolution. The House of Commons library has even written a paper about it. But as an interested (and quite cynical) reader, I’ve found it quite difficult to…
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What are U-values and How do Different Materials Compare?
In the UK, a U-value is the critical metric for a building’s insulation. It measures how much heat can pass through a material. This is known as ‘thermal transmittance’. At its simplest level, a U-value is a number, and lower is more insulated. A double-glazed window might be 1.4, whereas an external wall might be…
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How to Insulate a Conservatory Roof
If your conservatory is too hot in winter and too cold in summer, the culprit is probably right above your head. The roof. Specifically, cheap plastic roofs, which have very poor insulation. The long-term solution is to change the roof entirely. Or to knock the conservatory down and start again. However, there is a cheaper,…
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Are Conservatory Roof Replacements Worth It?
A conservatory sounds like a good idea. More space. More sunlight. No planning permission. And all for a reasonable price. At least, that’s what the salesmen said. And by God it worked. Britain is littered with conservatories. Unfortunately, many of them from the 90s and 00s are pretty unusable. Too hot in summer. Too cold…
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Cost of Home Insulation in the UK – Loft, Roof, Wall & Floor
Insulation is brilliant and I love it. And I’m not alone. Everyone agrees that it’s the single best way to save energy in your home. Ofgem says it is, and Which. It can save you over £1000 a year. Insulation might not be glamorous, but it’s crucial. Having bad insulation is like playing with no…
