How to Insulate a Cold Wall from the Inside?

Insulation plays a vital role in every home, and it is even more important if your property has cold walls within it. 

A great way to enhance your home’s warmth and comfort while also reducing energy bills, properties that lack the proper insulation are at risk of the negative effects that cold weather can bring – and in the UK we get plenty of that.

While it’s common practice to conduct cold wall insulation externally, insulation can also be done from the inside if you follow the correct measures.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to insulate a cold wall from the inside, providing you with all of the information to carry out the task effectively. 

Read on to find out more.

Importance Of Wall Insulation 

Before we get on to explaining how to insulate cold walls, let’s first focus on the importance of doing so. 

First and foremost, the saying ‘cold walls cold house’ is an accurate one. If any of your walls do not have suitable insulation, then it is going to cause the walls to become extremely cold when the temperature drops. Cold walls welcome in cold air which can then spread throughout a property making it colder and less comfortable for all occupants. 

While central heating can be used to combat the cold, this costs money and with energy bills soaring in the UK in recent years, it’s likely to be more expensive for properties to effectively heat their homes if they do not have the appropriate insulation in place.   

As well as ensuring comfort levels are high and bills are low, you might be surprised to learn that wall insulation can also provide a health benefit.

This is because cold walls attract moisture in the form of condensation. And condensation attracts mould. If mould begins to appear on your walls it is usually a sign of improper insulation, and while it may begin on the cold wall it can quickly spread to other areas such as neighbouring walls, windows and ceilings. 

This mould can then lead to a plethora of health problems including asthma, bronchitis and allergies and can be especially dangerous for those who already suffer from respiratory illnesses. Therefore, the best way to ensure your home is as safe as possible from the growth of mould is to install insulation.    

Different Types Of Wall Insulation 

Wall insulation comes in a variety of different types, and the option that is best for you will depend on the type of property and walls you have.

Some of the most common wall insulation types include the following:

Cavity wall insulation: Most modern homes come with cavity walls. A cavity wall is essentially two layers of brick with a gap in between, known as a cavity. Since the 1920s, most properties in the UK have been built with cavity walls, and so it’s only really old properties that tend to not feature them. Cavity wall insulation involves injecting an insulating material into the gaps to prevent heat loss.

Internal wall insulation: If you have solid walls or it is not possible to insulate externally, internal wall insulation is usually the favoured insulation type. This insulation can be easily added to a wall from the inside and will be the focus of our guide below. 

External wall insulation: It is extremely common to insulate a wall externally, and this involves adding a layer of insulation to the outside of a property. This method is very effective when solid walls are in place. Solid walls are the opposite of cavity walls and do not feature a cavity. Typically, this is an older design and is only present in homes that were built prior to the 1920s. 

Stud wall insulation: Stud walls are walls with wooden or metal frames and in these cases, a specialist insulation type is often used. Normally, this would be an insulation material such as mineral wool fibre which is added between the wall’s studs and which is great at aiding with energy efficiency.    

How To Insulate A Cold Wall From The Inside? 

Now, let’s take a look at the way you can insulate a cold wall from the inside, making your home more comfortable and, potentially, reducing your energy costs. 

Assess Your Wall

The first thing you need to do is assess your wall and define what type you have. Whether you have a cavity wall, solid wall, stud wall or any other type, will dictate the type of insulation you will use. 

Select Your Wall Insulation 

As previously mentioned, there are numerous types of insulation you can choose for your wall, with a whole host of materials available. 

You should select the most suitable type for you depending on the type of wall you are insulating. 

Your options include:

Rigid insulation boards: Solid boards made from robust materials like foam and fiberglass, this method provides you with quality thermal insulation.

Natural insulation materials: If you want a more eco-friendly material for your insulation, the likes of sheep’s wool, cork and recycled newspaper are all great choices.

Polystyrene wall insulation: Usually, polystyrene boards will be chosen due to their affordability and excellent insulating properties. 

Insulated plasterboard: Insulation and plasterboard can be combined to create an insulating option that is very straightforward to install. 

Prepare The Area

Once you’ve chosen your insulation type, you will need to prepare the area. 

Remove any furniture, skirting boards or pipework that is located in, or near, the wall and which could be obstructive to your work.   

Install A Vapour Barrier 

To stop moisture from entering your home, you will need to install a vapour barrier. 

You can purchase these from most DIY or hardware stores and you should make sure that it is correctly positioned on the wall so that it acts as a barrier. 

Apply Insulation 

Now, you can install your chosen insulation material. This may need to go between the wall’s studs or directly on the wall’s surface depending on the type of wall you have. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Fit Skirting Boards 

Put back your skirting boards or install new ones. 

This will enhance a room’s aesthetics and ensure it offers a polished appearance. 

Deal With Cold Bridges 

A cold bridge, also known as a thermal gap, is an area where cold air may bypass your insulation. 

To counteract this, you should make sure there is also proper insulation around window ledges and door frames.

Monitor Moisture 

Now your new insulation is in place, you should be able to enjoy the benefits. 

However, it’s important to keep monitoring moisture levels and signs of dampness to ensure the insulation is working effectively.