What types of wall types are suitable for insulation?
Twin leaf walls consist of two layers of masonry block/brick laid parallel to each other with an open air gap between them. It is most likely the case if you have a red brick finish that there is an open cavity and your property could be suitable for cavity bonded beads.
A Hollow Block wall is usually a 9" block with 2 hollow cores. Made from a lighter concrete, they were commonly used by builders to speed up construction and for cost reasons. If your walls are Hollow Block you will not be able to pump with bonded beads. Your home would need to be assessed to ascertain if Internal or External insulation would be the recommended solution for you.
A solid wall would typically be block laid flat or poured concrete. As there is no cavity at all and the walls are solid, External Insulation is often recommended for these properties. The Thermal Mass of the wall would need to be assessed to ascertain if Internal or External insulation would be the recommended solution for you.
External Wall Insulation
External wall insulation can often be the best way to insulate your exterior walls. If you do not have a cavity that can be pumped it is often the advised method of insulation due to the air tightness properties of the system. Polystyrene insulated slabs are applied to the outer surface of the walls with a special render to protect you from the elements. This render can be a colour of your choice and is reinforced with mesh for strength. A great way to freshen up a tired property, it is however the most expensive solution available to you. As part of an external insulation upgrade ESB networks may be required if ESB meters need to be moved and gas meters can often need to be moved too. Gutters, down pipes, drains & soffits & facia may need relocating or replacing as part of this upgrade. A typical upgrade can take 6-8 weeks to complete.
