Metropolitan Insulation Blog

20
Feb
2019

Points to Consider When Soundproofing A Historic Listed Building

If you own a listed building then you will be well aware of the constraints this puts on development work and even basic maintenance. Even soundproofing will require a certain degree of planning so as not to alter the character of the building. So how do you best approach insulating and soundproofing your listed building?

The first place to start is a survey of the building. This will give you all the technical details you need so you can plan the project and adhere to building regulations. The survey will also tell you what materials to use.

Once you have gained this information you can then put together a plan of the work you intend to do and submit it in order to get planning consent. This is critically important as anything that alters the character of a listed building or replaces existing materials with materials of inferior quality or that will cause deterioration in other parts of the building will be deemed unsuitable.

If you are not confident of managing this process yourself it is highly advisable to seek expert help even if the soundproofing you are installing will be largely hidden from view.

Posted by admin in Metropolitan Insulation, Sound Absorption, Sound Insulation for Old Houses
10
Feb
2019

3 Simple Sound Insulation Ideas

These simple sound proofing ideas will be ideal for most properties and in some cases even for historic listed buildings if you don’t wish to go through the planning permission process.

Acoustic blinds or curtains
If your building is poorly insulated against noise from outside, then acoustic blinds or curtains can go some way to reducing the amount of noise entering rooms. It is important to remember however that insulating your room this way will be good at reducing echoes in a room but only when they are closed which is ok at night but you will need other sound proofing measures for daytime.

Synthetic grass
Fake synthetic grass is popular with gardeners that like the low maintenance aspect of it but it is also being put to use as a form of insulation. Whether it is laid on floors or walls it has proven to be a good soundproofing material if you like your spaces green and natural looking.

Acoustic panels
The beauty of acoustic panels is they are effective at insulating sound coming through walls and they can be decorative. But if your property is listed you may still need planning permission to install them.

Posted by admin in Acoustic blinds or curtains, Acoustic panels, Metropolitan Insulation, Sound Insulation Ideas, Synthetic grass
10
Jan
2019

Asbestos in a Commercial Property? Here’s What You Need To Know

If you own a commercial property have you ever thought that about asbestos? While asbestos hasn’t been used in construction since way back in 1999 it remains present in many buildings dating back before this period. The penalties for those maintaining a building and ignoring the risks of asbestos exposure are severe as well as the potential consequences for those exposed to fibres so it is worth understanding what needs to be done if there is the risk of asbestos exposure present in your commercial property.

Much of the legislation on asbestos refers to Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) and Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR 2006). If you are the landlord and owner of the building, responsibility for dealing with risks posed by asbestos will be in your hands and anyone occupying the building as a commercial tenant must also comply with any action that needs to be taken.

Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is disturbed and dangerous fibres are released. These fibres enter the lungs and cause various cancers and other illnesses. Proper assessment of a building suspected of containing asbestos should include an inspection to see if the material is present, the creation of records and an assessment the condition of the asbestos. Anyone carrying out works must also be notified of its presence.

Removing asbestos is a difficult and expensive tasks due to the risks involved. A cheaper and easier way to deal with asbestos is via encapsulation which essentially seals in the material so that it doesn’t pose a risk.

Posted by admin in Asbestos, Asbestos Encapsulation, Asbestos in a Commercial Property, Insulate Your Home, Insulating Your Loft, Metropolitan Insulation
06
Dec
2018

Is Your Insulation Fire Rated?

You may be starting a new insulation project or considering replacing the insulation you have as the cold winter months set in but have you thought about the fire resistance of the material you’re using? Before fitting insulation, it is important to consider how it might behave in a fire to ensure you are making the best choice and don’t end up with a material that catches fire easily or readily emits toxic smoke. With this in mind here are the most common insulation types together with information on how resistant they are to fire.

Rockwool
Mineral is regarded as one of the best materials when it comes to fire resistance. It is able to withstand heat more than 700 ºF above that of the average home fire.

Spray Foam
Many people assume spray foam to be flammable but it actually contains fire retardants. The material also fills air gaps more effectively than other insulation types cutting off the air that is a major ingredient allowing fires to spread.

Foam Board
Foam board might be cheap and readily available but it certainly isn’t a good performer when it is subjected to heat from fires. Add to this the toxic fumes you get when it burns and you may need to reconsider installing it

Posted by admin in Fireplace, Home Insulation, Insulation Fire Rated, Soundproofing, Spray Foam Insulation, Thermal Insulation
28
Nov
2018

Tips to Consider When Choosing Insulation

Once you have decided you need insulation for your home or other type of property the next step is to consider which type of insulation is best.

There is certainly no shortage of choice in stores and online making it difficult to decide which way to go. Some types of insulation will be better at absorbing sound while other types offer better thermal properties.

So, if you are having problems deciding on the best material here are some handy tips to help you.

Cost
The cost of insulation will vary widely. Some materials may seem cheap but as we will explore in the next point, the cheapest insulation isn’t always the easiest to install.

Ease of fitting
Insulation can come in a variety of different forms. Most commonly you can buy it in a role but it is also manufactured as solid boards and can come in spray form too. Some types such as spray foam will require specialist equipment and breathing apparatus to install and is usually applied by a professional.

Environmental impact
Often overlooked the environmental impact is an important consideration when choosing insulation. While you will save energy installing insulation it is worth finding out what the impact is to the immediate environment as well as externally.

Posted by admin in Choosing Insulation, Home Insulation, How To Soundproof Doors, Insulate Your Home, Metropolitan Insulation
12
Nov
2018

The Relationship Between Climate and Insulation

Most of us know that insulation is an important part of any building we occupy and increasingly so now that we are being forced to consider how much energy and consequently money we are wasting.

Money is also a factor in the type of insulation people choose for their homes. Often there are attempts to go it alone and do a DIY job to save even more. After all there are plenty of helpful videos available on Internet or advice from friends to teach you. What often cannot easily be gained from watching other people’s experiences is the insulating materials and methods you’ll need for different types of climate.

Climate is one of the key considerations when choosing insulations and depending on where you live in the UK some insulation types can be better than others. If you live in western parts of the UK the climate is often wet and windy for a large part of the year as this part of the country takes the brunt of weather coming from the stormy Atlantic. That said, temperatures don’t usually fluctuate too rapidly.

The east side of the UK can get very cold with temperatures fluctuating wildy at times as the cold North sea often exerts its influence. Weather in the east is also drier than the west.

In the South East, the weather is particularly dry through summer and also warmer with hotter summers.

So if you live in a colder climate keeping out cold will be the priority whereas in the warmer parts of the country keeping out heat while also protecting against the cold will be the priority.

Posted by admin in Climate and Insulation, Commercial Property, Home Insulation, How To Soundproof Doors, Insulate Your Home, Metropolitan Insulation, Soundproofing, Soundproofing Apartments, Soundproofing Commercial Property, Spray Foam Insulation, Thermal Insulation
22
Oct
2018

How Long Can You Expect Your Insulation To Last?

Most people will ask about how long things like roof tiles and flooring will last but few people consider insulation. One thing is certain, no matter what insulation you use, it won’t last forever and certain types of insulation are known to last longer than others. So let’s look at the different types of insulation commonly used and compare their lifespans and durability.

Spray foam insulation
Spray foam insulation has increased in popularity due to its excellent durability and ease of application. It is also much better at resisting mold growth and sealing any air leaks than alternative forms of insulation. You can also look forward to low maintenance over its lifetime. The only drawback is that its lifespan is around 80 years but this is a minor one unless you expect to still be around 80 years from so you can still technically say it will last you more than a lifetime.

Fiberglass Insulation
Fibreglass is the type of insulation you will find in most homes. The material is also extremely durable and provides an excellent defence against humidity. It is also cheaper than most alternatives which is why you will still find this type of insulation in most homes. This type of insulation is expected to last 100 years but wear and tear can take its toll and reduce lifespan if it isn’t inspected regularly.

Recycled Paper Insulation
Recycled paper is another excellent choice and the main thing it has going for it is its limited impact on the environment. This type of insulation can last for 100 years although it is less commonly used than other materials such as fibre glass and spray foam.

Posted by admin in Home Insulation, Hotel Soundproofing, Insulate Your Home, Insulating Your Loft, Insulation To Last, Metropolitan Insulation, Sound Absorption, Soundproofing, Soundproofing Apartments, Soundproofing Commercial Property, Soundproofing for musicians, Spray Foam Insulation, Super Materials, Suspended Ceiling Soundproofing, Thermal Insulation
09
Oct
2018

3 Signs Your Home Isn’t Insulated Properly

Insulating your home is more important today than it has ever been. In the past the only consideration was for the comfort of the occupants but now a home must reach a certain standard for energy efficiency to be let to tenants or receive a fine. So it pays to be aware of these 3 signs of an uninsulated home.

Draughty rooms
Draughts can come from all sorts of places in the home but the most common sources of drafts are windows and around gaps in doors. Replacing windows and doors is the best way to resolve this issue.

Walls, ceilings and floors feel cold to the touch
If lofts are not insulated properly you may be able to tell by touching walls and ceilings and checking to see if they feel cold. If upstairs bedrooms feel cold it could be a sign that radiators are not working as well as they should or the insulation above needs replacing.

Hot in the summer cold in the winter
One of the biggest giveaways of a poorly insulated room is marked fluctuations in temperature. An extreme example is when you have an unheated uninsulated conservatory that is virtually unusable in the winter and on hot summer days. While rooms within the house are unlikely to be as bad as this, you will still notice that temperatures in the room are not as comfortable as other rooms.

Posted by admin in Metropolitan Insulation
26
Sep
2018

The Challenges Of Insulating A Barn Conversion

Barn conversions can make the most attractive homes but they can also be challenging projects not only from a build point of view but also when it comes to thermal efficiency.

Nowadays thermal efficiency is a much more important consideration than it has been in the past. Property owners must now include Energy Performance Certificates when advertising a property for rent or sale and this obviously influences the decision to rent or buy a property. Few people are going to pay their hard earned cash to live in a poorly insulated property or one that scores poorly on its EPC.

So one of the main challenges when converting a barn is making sure it is conforms to modern building and energy efficiency standards. Insulating high vaulted ceilings can be difficult as attractive as they are, but there is a way to cut the cost and achieve those all important efficiency scores. That is to use spray foam insulation.

This can be applied quickly and easily and dramatically cuts down the time it takes to apply insulation so that your barn conversion ticks all the boxes for your prospective buyers. If you require more information on insulating your property give us a call today.

Posted by admin in Barn Conversion, Control Sound, Environmentally Friendly Materials, Hidden Noise Hazards, Home Insulation, How To Soundproof Doors, Insulate Your Home, Insulating Your Loft, Insulation Reduce Noise, Metropolitan Insulation, Noisy Neighbours, Rigid Foam Insulation, Soundproofing, Soundproofing Commercial Property, Spray Foam Insulation, Super Materials, Suspended Ceiling Soundproofing
10
Sep
2018

Spray Foam Insulation or Rigid Foam Insulation – Which is Best?

Spray foam and rigid foam both have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the insulating project. In this article we group together some of these to help you with your decision.

Which is the easiest to install
9 times out of 10 spray foam is going to be the easiest form of insulation to install as long as you use a professional company to do the work for you. You won’t have to do any measuring with spray foam and it will naturally pour into cracks and seal everything so there are no leaks and gaps.

With rigid foam insulation you may have to rip out existing insulation and measure out the material to ensure it covers everything. Rigid foam isn’t going to expand leaving more potential for draughts.

Which is more efficient?
Both have similarly high R values and in theory there may be no difference in the level of insulation. However, if there are any gaps left while installing it can dramatically reduce the thermal efficiency and this is more likely with rigid foam insulation.

Which is cheaper?
If we take rigid foam and spray foam in isolation the former is likely to be cheaper but what this doesn’t consider is the extra work that may be required to install it. Using spray foam is a lot faster and will involve less disruption.

Posted by admin in How To Soundproof Doors, Insulate Your Home, Insulating Your Loft, Insulation Reduce Noise, Metropolitan Insulation, Rigid Foam Insulation, Spray Foam Insulation, Suspended Ceiling Soundproofing