Insulating your floor makes your home more comfortable and reduces your costs. Underfloor areas are exposed to the elements, particularly wind and water, and your insulation should be able to deal with some difficulties. Underfloor insulation can take many of forms. For homes without basements and those with unheated cellars, adding underfloor insulation can bring heating costs down.
The good things about underfloor insulation systems:
• You will feel more comfortable at your feet so you can walk around barefoot. Putting underfloor insulations can be particularly welcoming when you step in and out of the of your room or bathroom.
• It distributes temperature evenly and consistently around your property.
• A suitably sized unit can heat a larger area than an individual radiator and works at a lower temperature, so it could reduce your heating bills.
• Your floors can stay warm if you turn on your heater at cold seasons.
• It is well hidden so it doesn’t spoil your floor designs or take up space with ugly, bulky radiators.
• It can be installed below stone, tile, wood or carpeted floors as long as the carpet isn’t too thick.
• It might promote your home’s selling price where underfloor heating has a reputation for being state of the art and high spec and could attract buyers looking for a cozy property.
There are two main types of underfloor insulation that are used in houses and buildings:
Bulk underfloor insulation
Bulk underfloor insulation can be made from polyester, wool, polystyrene, glass wool and a range of other materials. Bulk underfloor insulation products are either friction-fitted between the floor joists, or held in place by fixings such as staples, strapping or clips.
Foil insulation
Foil was the most common material used for underfloor insulation because of safety concerns, retrofitting foil insulation and repairing foil insulation in residential buildings is now banned under section 26 of the Building Act 2004. There have been reported deaths in which is caused by electrocution associated with foil insulation in residential buildings. The performance of underfloor foil is dependent on how well it is installed. The air gap between the floor and the foil needs to be well sealed which is very difficult to achieve. Any air movement between the floor and the foil will reduce the foil’s effectiveness, as will dust settling on the foil over time, which reduces its reflectivity. Foil insulation can also be damaged easily by pets and others. Damaged foil will need to be replaced with bulk insulation as you are not allowed to repair foil insulation in residential buildings.
The type of underfloor insulation that is right for your home depends on its design and climate control needs. However, most houses can benefit from added insulation under the floors of the main living space. Some underfloor insulation projects can be done by into the do-it-yourself works. However, many will require the special skills of a contractor who knows how to deal with moisture, ventilation and air sealing to your floors.


