File 05: Insulation and fabric first
Fabric first: the walls, roof and floor that decide most of a home heat loss, and how to improve them safely.
The file guide
Working guides on this file
Insulation and fabric first Cavity Wall Insulation How cavity wall insulation works, which walls are suitable, how it is installed, and the damp and exposure checks that must come first. Insulation and fabric first Draught-Proofing With Insulation How draught-proofing and insulation work together, which gaps to seal, which ventilation to keep, and how to sequence the two so comfort improves without moisture problems. Insulation and fabric first Floor Insulation How floor insulation differs for suspended timber, solid concrete and flat floors, and why ventilation and moisture checks matter as much as insulation itself. Insulation and fabric first Insulating a Flat How flat insulation differs from house insulation: shared walls, limited external surfaces, communal decisions, and measures a flat owner can actually carry out alone. Insulation and fabric first Insulation and Airtightness Together How insulation and airtightness complement each other, why one without the other underperforms, and how to detail both in a single fabric plan. Insulation and fabric first Insulation and Moisture Risk How insulation changes moisture movement in walls, roofs and floors, the condensation risks that follow, and the assessments and details that manage them. Insulation and fabric first Insulation and Sound How insulation affects sound in a home, what it can and cannot do for noise, and how thermal and acoustic design differ even when they use similar materials. Insulation and fabric first Insulation Fire Safety, in General How insulation and fire safety interact in general terms: material behaviour, system compliance, cavity barriers and escape routes, without product-specific fire advice. Insulation and fabric first Insulation for Conservatories Why conservatories are hard to insulate well, what can realistically be improved, and when a conservatory should be treated as a separate space rather than a heated room. Insulation and fabric first Insulation for Garage Conversions How garage conversion insulation differs from ordinary room insulation, including floors, walls, roofs, thermal bridging and the change from unheated to heated space. Insulation and fabric first Insulation for Loft Conversions How loft conversion insulation differs from ordinary loft insulation, including rafter build-ups, headroom, ventilation and building regulation considerations in general. Insulation and fabric first Insulation for Timber-Framed Homes How timber-framed walls, floors and roofs are insulated differently, why moisture in timber is the key risk, and what detailing protects the frame. Insulation and fabric first Insulation Materials, Compared How common insulation materials differ in thermal performance, moisture behaviour, fire, thickness and suitability, without ranking one material as best for every job. Insulation and fabric first Insulation Thickness and U-Values What U-values mean, how thickness, material and build-up combine to produce them, and why thicker is not always better beyond a point. Insulation and fabric first Insulation Warranties What insulation warranties and guarantees typically cover, what they exclude, how long they last in general terms, and how to keep a warranty valid. Insulation and fabric first Loft Insulation, Explained How loft insulation works, the difference between ceiling-level and rafter-level insulation, and what to check in a pitched, flat or converted loft. Insulation and fabric first Solid Wall Insulation: External How external solid wall insulation works, its appearance and planning implications, and the detailing around windows, roofs and ground level that determines success. Insulation and fabric first Solid Wall Insulation: Internal How internal solid wall insulation works, its moisture and space trade-offs, and the detailing that determines whether it succeeds or causes condensation.