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Building Regulations are a set of standards that buildings need to meet. This is to ensure that they’re safe, energy-efficient and accessible. Some of these regulations apply to insulation.
If you’re fitting new insulation in your home, you need to know about the rules you need to follow. Keep reading to learn more about how Building Regulations apply to different types of insulation.
Cavity wall insulation
Under Building Regulations installing cavity wall insulation is a notifiable act. This means that you’ll probably need to notify your local authority before you install it in your home. In many cases your installer will do this for you – make sure you check with them so you know whether to do it or not.
Building Regulations also state that the insulating material should be suitable for your wall construction. In some cases a risk assessment on formaldehyde gas emission may need to be carried out.
Solid wall insulation
If you’re installing solid wall insulation or renovating 25% or more of an external wall, you need to make sure that your insulation meets a minimum energy efficiency value. This value is stated in Building Regulations Approved Documents. Renovating a wall includes re-rendering, re-cladding or re-plastering it.
However, you might find that it’s not technically or functionally possible to do this in your property. If this is the case you can just upgrade your insulation to the best standard possible with a simple payback of no more than 15 years.
Loft insulation
The regulations for loft insulation are very similar to the regulations for solid wall insulation. If you’re installing new loft insulation or renovating 25% or more of your roof then you should ensure that your insulation meets a minimum energy efficiency value. This value is in Building Regulations Approved Documents.
However, as with solid walls, you may find it’s not possible to install insulation of this efficiency value in your property. If this is the case you can just upgrade your insulation to the highest standard you can with a simple payback of no more than 15 years.
If you want to learn more about insulation Building Regulations and how they apply to your home, get in touch with your local authority. You can find out who your local authority is and their contact details here.
