Insulation
Underfloor insulation is one of the first things to consider in most existing houses to make them warmer, healthier and more comfortable – and in homes with accessible underfloor spaces, it’s relatively cheap and easy to do.
If you can access your underfloor area have a look to see if you have got any insulation.
If there is no insulation under your floor, either between or stapled to the underside of the joists, then you need to get some.
You may have to either repair the existing insulation, or remove the old insulation and replace it with new insulation if it:
- is loose, or doesn’t sit hard against the underside of the floor boards
- doesn’t extend under all of the floor
- has gaps in it, or bits missing
- is foil and has taped seams that have come undone
- has been damaged
If you have a preference, you could choose from the different materials, insulation is made from i.e. polyester or polystyrene.
Ground Vapour Barrier
About 30% of our homes suffer from problems associated with being damp. Dehumidifiers and ventilation systems are used to fix the symptoms of the problem, but not the source of the problem itself. Dampness makes rooms unhealthy to live in. In a lot of cases though, it is also a problem that is relatively cheap and easy to identify and fix. Put a vapour barrier down (i.e. thick polythene sheeting) on the ground. This keeps the moisture in the ground and stops the air under the floor from getting damp.