Underfloor insulation can improve home comfort and save energy costs all year round.
What is underfloor insulation?
Managing your energy costs and reducing heat waste starts by looking after your insulation solutions in a residential or commercial property. An effective insulation strategy must focus on areas of the property that are more likely to contribute to draughts. Floor insulation UK-wise is one of the most commonly overlooked insulation methods. Yet it is one of the most cost-effective solutions to improve your comfort and energy savings in an old building.
Indeed, at Spray Foam Insulation, we specialise in underfloor insulation foam to reduce heat loss and stop cold draughts. Floor skirting boards vary in size to respond to changes in their surrounding environments, such as expanding or shrinking depending on temperature and air moisture fluctuations. Expansion gaps are part of the design to prevent breaks and pressures. Unfortunately, expansion gaps can also let the cold air through at floor level. Additionally, underfloor cables and pipes also need space to circulate below the floorboards, which increases the underfloor void. As a result, the warm air pushes upwards, creating significant temperature and comfort disparities between the floor level and the higher levels.
We spray underfloor insulation specifically to prevent this issue. The flexible foam can fill the gaps between your skirting boards, eliminating uncomfortably cold and draughty floors. Underfloor spray foam insulation expands and contracts safely with temperature and humidity changes while maintaining its air sealing properties.
How floor insulation UK works
Used as an alternative solution to mineral wool, fibreglass, foam board and other material, spray foam underfloor insulation is a much more versatile strategy. The spray foam is applied to the underfloor area as a liquid and immediately starts to react expanding up to 100 times its original size. This allows the spray foam to seamlessly cover most structures, including pipes and other irregularities and awkwardly-sized and shaped gaps.
At Spray Foam, our team has been using polyurethane foam for insulation for decades. Its expansion and adhesion properties ensure airtight underfloor insulation once it solidifies. It is a popular solution that prevents heat loss and draughts in winter. Buildings with high humidity exposure also praise its waterproof features, which stop excess moisture from causing temperature drops and affecting surrounding structures.
Polyurethane insulation properties rely on the microstructure of the foam. Indeed, polyurethane consists of a polyol resin and isocyanate, which when mixed react to form a foam, during the reaction a blowing agent forms bubbles within the foam. The resultant foam solidifies around the pockets of gas within a few minutes to lock the insulation foam in place. It is the formation of these cells that enable the solid foam to act as a solid sponge that eradicates heat transfer through conduction, radiation, and convection. The product is highly durable and will prolong the life and comfort of the building.
Advantages of underfloor insulation
Many UK homes have a suspended ground floor, which creates an underfloor void. Using underfloor insulation can significantly help target heat exchange and reduce draughts at floor level. However, we warn against using materials such as fibres or wool, which can still let the cold air pass through as they are not effective air barriers. Foam floor insulation creates a durable and effective air seal through the pockets of gas bubbles. For areas such as the underfloor structure with a narrow insulating space, the spray foam solution requires only a 2-inch thickness to become a reliable air barrier that allows all surrounding materials to breathe.
What does breathability matter? Breathability enables the moisture naturally present in the air to diffuse and circulate. The lack of breathability can trap humidity and increase moisture levels in the room. At Spray Foam Insulation, our team advises against insulation solutions that prevent moisture diffusion as they can cause mould growth in the underground area.
Underfloor insulation foam can be an indispensable tool in improving energy consumption and reducing heating costs. Energy specialists at Energy Saving Trust estimate savings from underfloor insulation at around £75 per year. Spray foam can also protect your property from significant risks that can affect its structure and comfort:
• Heat loss at floor level
• Condensation
• Mould and damp areas
• Temperature disparities between lower and higher levels
• Fluctuating temperature affected by underfloor draughts
• Noise pollution reduction
Safe underfloor insulation UK
Polyurethane foam contains no corrosive chemicals, which makes it safe to use under the floorboard area in the proximity of plumbing pipes and electric cables. The foam is designed to expand around pipes and cables that pass underneath the floor and up to the room without causing any damage or corrosion to their surface.
Our team aims to apply the underfloor spray foam to 10 cm deep, so it doesn’t interfere with electricals and plumbing systems attached to the bottom of the floor joists.
Our spray foam is fully compliant with the BS476 part 7 obtaining class 1. For specialist applications, we also have specific materials and coatings designed with additional fire protection.
We are professionally trained to complete underfloor spray foam insulation with minimal disruption to your routine and your interior structure and decor. In the majority of situations, the insulation is completed within a day. As the foam solidifies within a few minutes, there is no inconvenient drying time for our clients. We have years of experience using insulation spray foam to provide high quality and reliable applications.
We strictly warn our clients against the risks of handling the foam application themselves. Trained professionals are equipped to protect your home structure with precise foam installation. Incorrect installation could create pressure and damage the structure of the building in the long term.
Finally, understanding and managing health risks can be crucial for your safety. The chemical reaction between polyol resin and isocyanate emits harmful fumes. At Foam Spray, your safety is our priority. Therefore, we always ensure that people and pets on the property are away from the area during the process.
How we apply underfloor insulation spray foam
What makes spray foam insulation solutions so popular is their fast and effective installation. As the foam becomes solid in minutes, underground foam insulation is a fantastic option for large properties and buildings. With minimal efforts and disruptions to everyday life, our experts at Foam Spray Insulation can enhance your insulation quality rapidly.
Our team performs a survey of the property to identify health hazards and spray foam requirements. We use the survey findings for guidance when it comes to applying the spray foam insulation. This enables us to provide a time frame, so you can schedule your day accordingly. It goes without saying that small rooms can receive underground insulation in a day, while large buildings will require longer. The survey is also essential to provide accurate underfloor insulation costs.
We require full and easy access to the area, so it is important to clear the room ahead of the application. We will provide you with explanations and clarifications on how to prepare your space for underfloor insulation.
Underfloor insulation cost in the UK
As mentioned, our team at Spray Foam Insulation provides a free underfloor insulation quote. We perform an in-depth survey of your property to identify and understand your needs. You can rest assured that there will be no hidden costs when you work with us.
Whether you need to find out about suspended floor insulation cost for your home or business premises floor insulation cost, our specialists will give you a clear breakdown of fees and time frame for our services. We consider the type of spray foam insulation solution you need, the size of the area, its thickness, and the installation method as part of our quoting approach.
We can also work with you to arrange application times and consider the best solutions for underfloor areas that are difficult to reach.
As part of our survey, we can also discuss with you additional insulation tips and recommendations, such as providing insulation for your roofs, lofts, cavity walls, and large commercial and industrial estates. We appreciate that spray foam insulation has many other applications, and we will be the first to let you know when and if underfloor insulation is the best solution for your property. If you are unsure how to best approach your insulation needs, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team for an informal chat with no strings attached.
Trust an expert for your foam floor insulation needs
Foam Spray Insulation is one of the foam insulation market leaders in the UK, with other 25 years of experience. We work with clients of all sizes in both residential and commercial settings. Renowned commercial clients such as Rolls Royce, BMW, and Primark trust us with their spray foam insulation projects.
We are passionate about spray foam applications and have been at the forefront of its evolution and developments for decades.
If you wish to improve your property energy consumption and reduce energy bills, we recommend underfloor insulation. Our spray foam insulation can also maximise comfort by reducing heat loss, mould risks, and noise pollution.
Get in touch with our team on 0113 292 0068 to find out how we can help you.