As we’re moving into the colder months and many people are looking for ways to lower their heating costs due to the current economic climate, we thought it would be a great time to outline the benefits of wood floors and how they can be easily insulated.
Wood as a material is a conductor; this means that it can absorb heat and easily circulate it. Heat can easily pass through it and circulate the warmth throughout your house. Furthermore, wood is a good thermal insulator and so can hold heat for longer compared to other floors such as carpets. However, in circumstances where the property may be older, the wood flooring is likely to be a suspended pine floor. The large underfloor space acts as a cold sink, storing cold air and the gaps between the boards can be quite drafty, thus not efficiently insulating the property.
One way to help with insulation in a period building is to install underfloor insulation. We are able to lift the boards, install a breathable membrane and then insulation (either rockwool, hemp or sheep’s wool). A breathable membrane is a sheet material that allows for water vapour to pass through and is used in floor, roof, and wall insulation.