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Last updated: 2 October 2024

Insulation Between Floors in the UK: Pros, Cons & Costs

Insulation Between Floors
  • Insulation can be inserted between floors and ceilings on intermediate floors using insulation batts, spray foams, and mineral or natural fibres.
  • Floor insulation can decrease heating bills by between 10% and 20% and reduce heat loss by 25%.
  • Insulating between floors can be worth it if you need reduced sound, better energy performance, or protection against moisture.

Installing insulation between floors can be crucial for many homes, especially ones where heat and noise insulation can be an issue. Sometimes up to a quarter of a home’s heating can be lost through bad flooring. If you want to know more about materials, processes, and what insulation between floors is best for your home, keep reading.

However, if you want to insulate your home, you should consider hiring an insulation expert. A proper installer can give you great prices and great service. Finding one can be quite a chore, often taking days with no real indication of what quality they offer. Luckily, we offer a better way, with our network of personally vetted experts.

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How to insulate between floors

How to insulate between floors

Many people often wonder, “Can you put insulation between floors?”. Yes, but it depends on the type of floor, what materials you use, and what the rules might be in your area or building.

In-between floors can be insulated in two main ways. It can be done by placing insulation material between the floorboards and tiles, or by placing insulation directly on top of the floor or ceiling of the floor under. The former applies to projects where the floor can be removed, such as applying underfloor insulation for wooden (suspended timber) floors, while the latter is preferable for solid floor insulation that may be difficult to replace, like concrete.

To properly insulate between floors, there are a few differences compared to the standard insulation procedures. One consideration is ensuring sound transfer is not an issue as most intermediate floors connect to another room or someone else’s property. This may also require insulation to be added from both your floor and the ceiling of the floor below.

This process could take place by insulating the in-between floor of the same house, or even separate homes. As one would expect, planning construction around someone else’s property can come with some extra considerations and permissions.

Applying between-floor insulation materials, you can adequately decrease heat loss, noise, and your carbon footprint. However, this can also vary depending on the insulation you utilise, since some have better characteristics than others. Mineral wool is potentially the best for noise reduction while polystyrene and polyurethane can be best for their thermal properties.

Is it worth insulating between floors?

So, should there be insulation between floors? While it’s not an absolute necessity, intermediate floor insulation can bring many benefits. For older properties, this can be especially crucial as a bad ceiling can lose up to 25% of their heating in winter. Similarly, insulation can also keep the home colder in the winter season as it keeps homes at even temperatures.

Insulating between floors can be especially worth it if you are capable of getting a grant. Many insulation grants like the ECO4 or the Great British Insulation Scheme can help pay for partial or full installation.

Additionally, intermediate floor insulation allows you to improve the walls between you and your neighbour’s home. This can make homes more comfortable, especially in apartment buildings with thin boundaries between properties.

Pros and cons of insulation between floors

Pros and cons of insulation between floors

Here are the main pros and cons of insulation between floors in the UK:

Pros:

  • Energy bill savings: Underfloor insulation can save 10% to 20% in heating costs, this can add up to £100 in annual savings for a standard UK detached home.
  • Better heating: Floor insulation can cover up gaps and draughts in the floor, allowing for better heat retention. This can prevent up to 25% less heat loss.
  • Sound insulation: Materials like mineral wool or polystyrene can offer great sound insulation for floors, allowing for noise reduction.
  • Waterproofing: Insulation can prevent drips between floors and cover up potential damage from water, especially when it comes to materials like wood which may warp.
  • Lower carbon footprint: The average home can cut its annual CO2 emissions by 700kg on average by insulating its floors.

Cons:

  • Not all floors are suitable: Some floors may not be suitable. While less common on secondary floors, materials such as stone, tiles, and ceramic flooring can be an issue for some homes.
  • Bad installation could cause damage: Improper installation can cause damage to floors, particularly with materials that do not adequately prevent moisture buildup.

These cons can be avoided by hiring a professional insulation installer.

Types of insulation for between floors

Prices of insulation between floors
Material type Average price (per m2)
Fibreglass £10
Polystyrene (EPS) £10
Cellulose £10 - £12
PIR board £5 – £15
Mineral wool £13 - £17.5
Sheep wool £17.5 - £22
Polyurethane (foam) £21.5
Polyester £15 - £20

These costs are market averages and estimates. Get a local installer to QUOTE now!

  • Polystyrene: Polystyrene insulation boards are an increasingly popular choice due to its relative affordability. It is a versatile material that can serve as a great form of external insulation. While it is a form of plastic, it can be easy to produce and is fairly eco-friendly.
  • Mineral wool: Mineral wool or stone wool can be a great alternative to fibreglass insulation with the added benefit of being more moisture resistant. It can be great for wooden suspended floor insulation since it will prevent warping.
  • Sheep wool: Much like mineral wool, sheep wool is also great for insulating piping. Sheep wool can be a great natural alternative that has a higher thermal conductivity than mineral wool, albeit at a higher price.
  • Fibreglass: A fairly cheap type of insulation. While it has many benefits, it may not be the best for areas prone to water leaks or water damage. Can allow for great insulation between floor joists.
  • Polyester: Made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), this is the same fibre used in many household products. Contains up to 85% recycled materials, making it pretty sustainable. Can be in the form of blankets, rolls, or batts for wall studs, ceilings, or floors.

Determining what kind of insulation between floors is best for your home depends on numerous factors:

  • How much you want to reduce sound transmission between adjacent properties
  • Fire safety concerns
  • Level of thermal resistance
  • Moisture and dampness protection
  • What building regulations will allow

Insulation between floors: Building regulations

Homeowners also have to keep their homes above a certain level of energy performance. Most buildings need to be above an F or G band energy performance certificate. Consequently, the average price for insulation to get to a minimum E rating is about £3,500 (although grants can help pay for this).

Building regulations are a consideration for the average home, especially depending on the type of home. The current insulation regulations in the UK stipulate that the type of construction and the housing element being insulated must match certain requirements for u-values.

Type of insulation New constructions Renovations Existing elements
Roofs 0.11W/m²K 0.15W/m²K 0.16W/m²K
Walls 0.18W/m²K 0.18W/m²K 0.30W/m²K
Floors 0.13W/m²K 0.18W/m²K 0.25W/m²K

Other regulations might be dependent on the area where you live. Building codes can depend on your home and the building you live in, so be sure to check with the relevant authorities.

Should I put insulation between floors?

Insulation can help with energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and decrease noise transmission across rooms. If these features are something you need, then intermediate insulation will be great for you. For determining what insulation to use between floors, you will need to examine your energy needs, heating, the type of floor you have, and what material suits your needs.

Putting insulation in a ceiling between floors can help reduce noise to and from the residents above one’s home. This can also be beneficial for decreasing your energy bills and carbon footprint. If the costs seem high for your budget, insulation grants can help pay for the installation and cover a majority of the costs depending on if you meet the income threshold.

Another way to ensure lower costs is to find a reliable installer. A local installer can be cheaper but finding a good one can often take days of research and price comparisons. However, we offer a far quicker way to obtain prices with no obligation to pay.

Instead of spending endless days scouring the web and scheduling phone calls with installers, fill out our simple 30-second form and we’ll provide you with up to 3 free, non-binding quotes from trusted installers in our area. Click the button below to find the best floor insulation.

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