Update 2022: Home improvement prices in the UK are skyrocketing but so is the cost of gas and electricity. There has never been a better time to install cavity wall insulation or top-up loft insulation, both of which could save the average household hundreds of pounds every year. The insulation prices on this page were updated in 2022 but if you would like a fixed price please fill in this form with details of your project.

On this page, we’ll reveal how much it costs to install and upgrade home insulation.

Don’t forget that you can also reduce your heating bills by upgrading your boiler.

Loft Insulation Cost

Loft insulation is usually made from glass or mineral wool and formed into rolls so it can fit snugly between the ceiling timber joists.

As some older insulation products contain harmful and itchy dust, it’s best to leave them undisturbed and lay the new insulation on top of it.

If you want to remove or relocate old existing insulation, you’ll need to get some protective clothing and preferably, a full-face dust mask. I know from experience how itchy and irritating this stuff can be to the skin.

Here are the current prices for loft insulation “top-up” in the UK:

(The actual cost will depend on how many square metres of insulation are required and how deep the insulation needs to be, this will depend on the existing insulation.)

It will work out considerably cheaper if you do the work yourself and there are plenty of good quality insulation products in DIY stores and online with affordable delivery.

Loft insulation

Cost to Add Cavity Wall Insulation

If your property was constructed after 1920, it will probably have two walls separated by a cavity void.

Cavity wall insulation is a fibre or polystyrene material that is blown between the two walls via pre-drilled holes and is a great way to reduce heat loss.

The process is quick and easy if you have the right equipment.

This is how much cavity wall insulation costs as of 2022:

(The prices above are an average of 8 prices we found online from cavity wall installers from various locations around the UK.)

Image from Karn Heath Ltd

Solid Wall Insulation

Solid walls are often found on buildings constructed up to the 1920s and one should be careful when insulating them as many are constructed with breathable materials.

Get it wrong and the property can suffer from condensation and humidity problems that may lead to dampness.

To insulate a solid wall, a layer of insulation is first fixed to either the inner or outer wall; this is then covered with plasterboard internally or render externally.

It takes much longer to insulate a solid wall rather than a cavity wall and costs considerably more. You’ll either need to alter the exterior of the building or lose precious space internally.

For a typical 3-bed semi-detached home, expect to pay £8500-£15000 for external insulation and render. For internal insulation and plaster, expect the price to be lower at around £5000 – £7000.

We suggest you make sure your chosen contractor understands the importance of ventilation and breathability, especially if you live in an older property constructed before the 1920s.

Solid wall insulation. Image from The Green Age

Are You Thinking of Upgrading Your Windows to Double or Triple Glazing?

The windows are a cold spot in any home and experts claim up to 20% of your home’s heat loss goes straight out through the glass and frame.

Upgrading old frames and glass to a modern double or triple glazed unit will undoubtedly save you money but extra care needs to be taken to prevent condensation problems, this is more likely to occur in older homes with solid walls or in homes where the walls and ceilings have already been insulated.

To put it bluntly; there’s a fine line between a warm insulated home and an airtight, unvented, condensation riddled property.

We suggest reading the following articles:

Is triple glazing worth the extra cost?

Causes and cures for condensation in the home.

Ventilation Options

Ventilation is a key part of any home, not just pre 1920s buildings made with breathable lime but also more modern structures.

Adding insulation can reduce the breathability of the home and lead to increased humidity levels which are bad for the lungs and can cause dampness and condensation.

Passive ventilation is the slow but steady removal of bad air from the home, it won’t increase your heating bills but will improve the air quality.

My two favourite ventilation products are window trickle vents and passive air input vents (AIV).

Did you know that the current Building Regulations state that developers must ventilate the homes they build?

They usually achieve this with trickle window vents, like these:

Unfortunately, the Building Regulations regarding ventilation do not apply to replacement windows or refurbishment projects.

That probably explains why so many window installers don’t bother fitting these vents, even though they’re easy to install.

The next product is a little more expensive but works very well and is perfect for homes with condensation issues.

Passive Air Input devices use very little electricity but create a subtle yet consistent airflow in the home. They remove bad odours and moisture, helping to lower humidity levels and reduce condensation.

Passive Input vent (PIV) system. Read reviews on Amazon

The Passive Input Vent needs to be installed in the ceiling so should be fitted by an electrician, although it’s an easy project and shouldn’t cost much.

Amazon has published over 130 customer reviews of this product, and it currently has a five-star rating.

I’ve recommended this product to several landlords who have had issues with tenants drying clothes on radiators and causing dampness and mould on the walls. It’s a great product for homes that are over-insulated and suffering from condensation and dampness as a result.

Practical Tips For The Keen DIYer

You don’t need to pay for a  professional to lay loft insulation, DIY stores stock tonnes of this stuff and it’s easy to install. Modern materials are pre-cut to fit snugly between the ceiling joists and are non-itchy.

Just remember not to disturb old insulation that’s already in the loft; it could contain dust that’s harmful to the respiratory system.

Cavity wall insulation is much more difficult to install; you’ll need to hire a machine to blow in the material which you’ll need to buy separately.

We’ve researched the cost to hire the equipment and purchase the insulation, the savings you can expect are negligible, and we feel you would be better off paying for a professional insulation installer.

Solid wall insulation projects require considerable carpentry skills and also intricate knowledge of ventilation and breathability, hence why we feel this type of work is best left to the pros.

Natural Home Insulation Alternatives

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the idea of wrapping my home in airtight, flammable and toxic materials.

The words “Grenfell Tower” spring to mind but in all honesty, I’ve never liked modern insulation products.

If you want something a little less toxic, less flammable and more environmentally friendly, try sheep’s wool.

This site has more information about sheep’s wool.

Conclusion

We hope you found our insights into insulation and associated costs informative.

The general consensus is that insulation is an excellent way to reduce your heating bills and do your bit for the environment – even more important with climate change and the cost of living crisis. You should make sure the property has adequate passive ventilation to remove bad, stale and damp air and replace it with fresh air. Without this provision, the home’s humidity level will increase, and damp/condensation problems may arise, especially in the winter.

You May Also Like:

When cavity wall insulation fails or is installed incorrectly, it can cause considerable damage to the property.

So many homes in the UK are experiencing problems with this type of insulation that many installers now offer removal services.

See how much cavity wall insulation removal costs here.

Wet cavity wall insulation can also rust wall ties and these may need to be replaced, this is how much that costs.

Get a Home Insulation Quote

To get a quote for insulation from a reviewed and rated local tradesperson, tap the button below to see how we can help you: