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Cavity Blocks Insulation

  • 24-01-2012 2:12pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭


    Hi

    Following on from a previous thread

    Our house has cavity blocks

    Can these be insulated successfully using foam or beads etc?

    Thanks

    The narrower a man’s mind, the broader his statements.



Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,876 ✭✭✭Spread


    Short answer ........ NO


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,721 ✭✭✭Al Capwned


    Nope....

    Either externally using something like this

    Or on the inside of the external walls using something like these....


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,140 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    alproctor wrote: »

    Or on the inside of the external walls using something like these....
    theres a little more to it than the above where you have single external block leaf. what happens when moisture hits the cold block wall?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,939 ✭✭✭whizbang


    Short answer ........ NO
    I think this is based on cost effectiveness ??
    but:
    Is there any point in putting a layer on top of the cavity to prevent air movement out of the cavity. My gut says it should reduce heat loss, but does anybody have any real experience of this. (-I'm replacing soffits shortly, so should be easily done)


  • Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,140 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    whizbang wrote: »
    I think this is based on cost effectiveness ??
    but:
    Is there any point in putting a layer on top of the cavity to prevent air movement out of the cavity. My gut says it should reduce heat loss, but does anybody have any real experience of this. (-I'm replacing soffits shortly, so should be easily done)
    no this is based on common sense!! cavity (breeze) blocks have a thermal concrete bridge for a large % of each block, what's the point of filling an air gap with an insulation that's not covering the entire wall? its only increasing the likely hood of surface condensation!! as regards blocking the movement of air, yes it may increase the thermal performance of the blocks but without assessing the condition of the wall and DPC the reduction in air-movement may reduce moisture evaporation. for the science see http://www.josephlittlearchitects.com/documents/hollow%20block%20wall%20assessment_BLC_260609.pdf


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,939 ✭✭✭whizbang


    Thanks Bryan,
    i had read that briefly before, it seems to take no account of air movement vertically thro the cavity. It seems to assume the cavity is closed at the top.

    With the winds we have been having lately, i'm noticing little puffs and whistles from strange places in the house, mainly skirting boards. I have checked outside and, as much as possible, sealed off any air holes into the cavity.
    so i know i'm still loosing heat by air movement rather than just conductivity.


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