Solid Wall Insulation

How does it work?

If you own a property here in New Zealand, and it has solid walls, keep in mind that up to 45% of the heat produced can be lost as it escapes through the external walls of your home. Insulating the walls can dramatically reduce the amount of heat loss in winter, and minimise the amount of heat gain in summer. Most homes in this country are insulated due to the colder winter climate, but the actual installation process may see a ‘few missing pieces’ that will see heat escape. We can’t see this problem with the human eye unless we climb into ceiling (or see through the wall)… that’s why our company uses thermal imaging to detect such problems.

Solid brick, solid stone, timber frame (pre 1944) and concrete constructed houses can all improve their thermal efficiency by either lining the interior of the external walls with a insulating material, or by rendering the outside walls with a protective insulating layer.

The efficiancy of the insulation method will depend primarily on home many dollars you’re prepared to spend, however even the cheapest forms of internal wall lining can still produce beneficial results and reduce your energy bills.

What to watch out for

The biggest insulation related problem encountered by owners of solid brick houses is damp. This arises when the house has been thoroughly insulated all over, with little or zero provision made for the house to be able breathe.

If the walls are not able to ventilate air properly, the act of insulating the walls can lead to increased levels of moisture within the building which may, over time, result in potential problems with damp.

It is therefore very important when considering having wall insulation fitted to ensure the walls are damp free, and that there is a reliable source of ventilation to allow air movement within the walls. This also means checking the damp proof course (d.p.c.) is intact all around the house, to prevent rising damp attacking the newly attached insulation.

Also ensure all essential ventilation openings, such as those providing combustion air or underfloor ventilation, and all flues in the cavity wall are checked. If adequate sleeving or other cavity closures are not present, installation should not proceed until these openings have been sleeved or otherwise modified to prevent blockage by the insulant.

Which Material?

A solid wall can either be insulated internally or externally. Either option will reduce heat loss and increase comfort in your home, therefore the decision as to which method to choose comes down to either your budget, any particular design or decoration aesthetics inside your home, or both.

Internal Insulation

Internal insulation systems are usually mounted onto wooden studwork frames which are then plugged onto the wall. This leaves a gap between the insulation and the wall to trap warm, still air and effectively ‘double glaze’ your walls. The following materials are most common;

- A dry lining in the form of flexible thermal linings – available in 1m x 12.5m rolls.
- Laminated insulating plasterboard (known as thermal board).
- A built-up system of fibrous insulation such as mineral wool.

External Insulation

External insulation systems comprise an insulation layer fixed to the existing wall, and a protective render or decorative cladding over the top. Dry cladding the insulation can offer a wide range of finishes such as stone or clay tiles, brick slips or aluminium panels.

External insulation, although generally more expensive, is in most cases the more suitable solution to insulating a solid wall property as the process leaves the internal design and decoration completely unaffected. Also, if a room is relatively small in the first instance, internal methods will make the room smaller and they bring the walls closer together.

How much will it cost?

The costs can vary quite considerably depending on the particular method chosen to insulate the walls. As a general rule however, internal insulation systems are considerably cheaper than external cladding techniques. Regardless of which method you choose, it’s always advisable to obtain as many quotes as possible from specialist builders before deciding the best course of action.

Can you DIY?

Assuming that all damp problems have been fixed, if you are fairly comfortable putting up plaster board etc then applying internal insulation to the outside walls of your property should be a fairly straightforward process. However if in any doubt it is advisable to contract a specialist builder to carry out the work for you.

External insulation systems are a much more complicated process and involve handling of specialist insulating materials. As such it is advisable to contract a specialist insulation builder to carry out any work for you.

Is there moisture lurking behind your walls right now? We will detect it… fast! Contact Us

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Client Comments... (All testimonials can be verified as true and correct... updated for 2010)

I enlisted Dean’s services 2 days prior to “D-day” of us purchasing our first NZ home. Dean proved to be an extremely efficient and knowledgeable technician. He has a very good understanding not only of his specific field, but also of general building requirements. He was easily able to spot, and talk me through, existing as well as potential problems, and was very open to answering the myriads of questions I fired his way. Most importantly, he gave me non-biased answers, allowing me to make an objective decision regarding the purchase of a potentially leaky home. Thanks again for excellent service Dean! Simone P - Titirangi

We have lived for some time in an old weather board cottage which we have renovated over a period of years. Recently we discovered a leak, so we googled “find a leak” and found a comprehensive and detailed website of the same name. Next we spoke to Dean and an appointment was made. He was punctual, courteous and his experience was obvious. His thermal imaging equipment is ‘state of the art’ and the source leak was quickly detected.

Dean was able offer practical solutions which we can act on with confidence. As a result of this experience we would recommend the use of his skills before the sale or purchase of any property to be reassured as to the integrity of the property. Dean is personable, a superb communicator and a true professional. Maggie & David M - Waiatarua

Dean was very professional and I would highly recommend anyone that is thinking of buying a property to get thermal testing done. Fortunately it was by pure chance that I even knew these tests were available after speaking to my neighbour and he advising me. The house we were looking at had water leaks and Dean has saved me many thousands of dollars in the long run. David G - West Auckland

Dean is a very professional and friendly guy. He goes step by step through the process which is very valuable. When he finds a potential problem he immediately notified to me and discussed with me in details on what actions could be taken. Anyway no major problems were detected in the property I wanted to purchase. However I greatly advice anyone to obtain Dean's professional service to make sure the property is in a satisfactory condition. Robbie P - Glen Eden

Thank you very much for the great service, very professional and appreciated the time taken to explain the process. Very glad to know that with all the stigma that goes with plaster houses, ours is not a leaky home. The report has helped pin-point some areas for maintenance which we plan to undertake sooner rather than later..Thanks again. Heather M - Maraetai

We were a bit apprehensive about what the leak detection might find, but found Dean’s confident, friendly and very capable approach extremely reassuring. While we were greatly relieved by the findings concerning the exterior of the house, Dean’s thoroughness in looking also for internal issues uncovered a surprise bath leak. Thanks Dean for solving the mysterious odour that’s been bothering us for the last 6 months! We highly recommend Dean to anyone with even the slightest concerns regarding moisture in their homes. Kevin - West Auckland

Thank you Dean for your prompt service. I was given 2 days to have a Building inspection done which found some dampness in the house. It was well worth the money spent as Dean found some other damp issues. He was very thorough and very informative and even though there were issues with the house they were all fixable so I was then able to re negotiate the purchase price. I would recommend anyone buying a house- any type of building structure to have ’Thermo Imaging’ as part of a building inspection. Thank you once again. Maree, Glendowie

We had some concerns about a recently renovation house including a lower basement. Being nosey I popped around to join Dean on his inspection. Apart from enjoying meeting him, Dean was enormously informative, approachable & friendly, I found the technology & information I gleaned fascinating. Fortunately, we identified no significant issues with the property. It gave us great peace of mind & we can enjoy our new home knowing we have bought a dry, water tight property with with hidden surprises. Thank you Dean for your help & reassurance. To my mind it is certainly worth the modest sum versus potential costs you could incur which could also mar one of most expensive purchases of your life.. Diane - Devonport

Read 20 more testimonials Here!