Floor insulation - blanket (eco wool) or rigid?

[SueOrr0103]

Hello,

We are putting in new joists and wooden flooring in our living/ dining area. We are not sure which underfloor insulation to go for - eco wool blanket or rigid (more expensive). Anyone has any experience of these?

Thanks

Sue

[Salsaboy]

Whatever it is I have a feeling you will have to have something with a vapour barrier to prevent condensation.

[SueOrr0103]

Hi Salsaboy,

Thanks for that. I will check with my builder on that.

Sue

[Frankito]

Good call SalsaB. The guy who laid our lounge floor chose not to do that and now, after periods of heavy rain our flooring has a life of it's own!

[Moos]

If you live in a Victorian terrace with a cavity underneath your floorboards make sure you leave a space so that the cavity is accessible if pipes or joists need to be checked or repaired.

[peterstorm1985]

I imagine the mouse population would vote for the Eco wool. It makes a much better nest than having to munch off bits from the rigid boards. There is a sort of serious point here.

[SueOrr0103]

Thanks all for yoru useful suggestions, have discussed tehm with our builder. We have decided to go with the Rigid insulation as we are planning to stay heer for the next 10 to 15 years.

Sue

[SueOrr0103]

Hey,

Would any of you know, if we do go for rigid insulation, does it needs to be treated to protect from termites?

Sue

[Salsaboy]

Are you referring to the Kingspan/Celotex type stuff?

[peterstorm1985]

Are you sure you mean termites? Not that common in the UK. Or is your house in Devon?

Termite activity in UK

[SueOrr0103]

I was referring u Celotex. Haha gd to know no termites in

ED. So apart frm damp there's nothing else to worry abt right?

[Annette Curtain]

SueOrr0103 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I was referring u Celotex. Haha gd to know no

> termites in

> ED. So apart frm damp there's nothing else to

> worry abt right?

No...

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/002/cache/american-crocodile_219_600x450.jpgNothing at all.

[Salsaboy]

But you only get those if your underfloor is really damp.

[SueOrr0103]

Hehehehehe good one...

[Frankito]

Nette's paranoia reaches peak levels.. >:D

[aspidistra]

Rockwool Flexi is what I have recently installed in ground floor, with the help of my odd-job man.

Available from Jewson's in Peckham. Buy 'depth' to suit your joists (it comes in different depths and widths.

Method:

lift the floorboards

clean out any builder's debris

use garden netting and staple gun to create 'bed' of netting between joists to hold the Flexi (staple into top of each joist)

cut and fit Rockwool Flexi (easy). The material flexes to fit between the joists, and the netting is really just a 'just in case'

replace floorboards

fit hardboard over the floorboards, and staple down into the floorboards

tape around each hardboard joint, including joins with skirting

This solution means you have insulation for radiation, for draughts... i.e. it covers all the angles. Unlike other products, Rockwool Flexi is specifically designed to fit to suspended ground floors (which is what I assume you have).

Ah, just remembered, you are installing wooden flooring. Then you don't need the hardboard. But the recommendation for Rockwool Flexi still stands.

[gubgub]

the solid stuff, few inches thick, creamy coloured often silver on the outside. sorry, girly description! can text a pic if you pm me your number