Insulation designed for period homes
Effective insulation can improve comfort and energy efficiency while maintaining breathability and your home’s historic character.
Many older homes are poorly insulated and suffer from common issues that include:
- Heat loss through draughts, windows, doors, floors and lofts
- Solid walls that can’t be insulated in the same way as cavity walls
- Condensation and damp
- Peeling paint on walls and damage to furnishings
In addition, poorly designed insulation can compromise the appearance of period features.
Your home loses heat in five main areas …
The loss of so much heat will make your home chilly in winter, forcing you to turn up your thermostat and leading to higher energy bills. The easiest way to combat heat loss, particularly in period properties, is to install insulation.
The low-hanging fruits are loft insulation, advanced, virtually invisible secondary glazing and draught proofing which, together, can reduce heat loss by 40% in a detached property and 50% in a mid-terrace property. Just imagine the difference that would make to the cost of heating your period property in winter.
We can install these three solutions over 1-3 weeks, depending on the size of your property, and you can continue to use your home as usual during the installation.
Our whole-house approach
We assess ventilation requirements as part of any insulation upgrade and always consider the following:
- Where heat is lost
- Humidity levels and air movement through the building
- Which areas benefit most from targeted improvements
- How insulation and ventilation work together
Our team of craftspeople are friendly, professional and efficient, and we focus on working cleanly so you experience minimal disruption and mess. And, of course, they clean up thoroughly during and at the end of each job so everything is exactly as it was before they arrived, just better insulated.
What’s the payback period?
If you’re thinking about how long it will take to cover the cost of your investment, it’s useful to know that most people have covered the cost of the work after 5-10 years. That’s equivalent to gaining over 10% interest on your investment.
Further insulation
After secondary glazing, loft insulation and draught proofing, the most effective solutions are wall and floor insulation. They are a little more involved and expensive, so are best considered after the first three measures have been done. However, as fuel bills continue to rise, this kind of work becomes more cost-effective with every year that passes. And it’s particularly nice to be warm underfoot in winter.
If you’re interested in finding out more, we’re happy to talk you through your options.
Drop our friendly customer services team a call or use the enquiry form below.
What are the benefits of full-home insulation?
Energy efficiency: Proper insulation helps in maintaining a consistent temperature inside your home, reducing the need for additional heating in winter and cooling in summer. This leads to lower energy bills because you need to use less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Reduced carbon emissions: By using less energy to heat or cool your home, you contribute to lowering carbon emissions associated with energy production. This helps in combating climate change and reducing your carbon footprint.
Improved comfort: Insulation helps keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, creating a more comfortable living environment for you and your family. It also helps reduce draughts, which makes your home feel cosier.
Noise Reduction: Insulation can act as a sound barrier, reducing the transmission of noise from outside, such as traffic noise or noise from neighbours. This can lead to a quieter and more peaceful living environment.
Prevention of condensation: Adequate insulation can help prevent condensation build-up inside your home, which can lead to dampness and mould. This improves indoor air quality and protects your home from potential damage caused by dampness.
Increased property value: A well-insulated home is more attractive to potential buyers as it offers lower energy bills, improved comfort and reduced maintenance costs. This can potentially increase the resale value of your property.
Full insulation for period homes and listed properties
We have many years’ experience installing insulation solutions to older properties across the south of England; we’ve been improving our customers’ properties since 2010. That’s why we’re confident we can improve the thermal properties of your home without affecting its aesthetic appeal. You’ll stay warm and comfortable, reduce energy use and preserve the architectural heritage of your home.
We have operational teams across the South, South West and the Midlands, including London, Bath, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex.
If you’re interested in finding out more, we’re happy to talk you through your options.
Drop our friendly customer services team a call or use the enquiry form below.
Your home insulation questions answered
Common types include fibreglass, cellulose, spray foam, rigid foam boards, and reflective insulation. However, at Mitchell & Dickinson, we prefer to use environmentally friendly sheep’s wool insulation for under floors, ceilings and lofts. This natural material has many beneficial properties including a 60-year life compared to 15 years for glass wool, and an increase in insulation properties in damp conditions. It’s treated with natural borax to prevent damage from pests, not irritating to skin or respiratory systems, supports British sheep farmers – improving economic resilience – and uses little energy in manufacture.
Common signs include fluctuating indoor temperatures, high energy bills, draughts, and uneven heating or cooling. Mitchell & Dickinson can carry out a full property survey to establish where your home is losing heat and could benefit from insulation.
Insulation helps regulate indoor temperature, reduces energy consumption, lowers utility bills, enhances comfort, and contributes to soundproofing and pest control.
Savings vary depending on factors like climate, existing insulation, and energy usage, but it can range from 10% to 50%.
Some insulation types can be DIY, but others may require professional installation for safety and effectiveness. If you choose to insulate your home with Mitchell & Dickinson we’ll take care of everything for you – from establishing what insulation solutions you need, installing the insulation and advising you on further things you can do to reduce heat loss from your home.
Insulation lifespan varies but can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years depending on the material and conditions. Mitchell & Dickinson’s sheep’s wool insulation typically lasts for around 60 years.
Health concerns may include skin irritation or respiratory issues during installation. Safety concerns include fire hazards for certain insulation types. However, Mitchell &Dickinson’s Thermafleece insulation is treated with natural borax to prevent damage from pests and is not irritating to skin or respiratory systems.
Proper insulation should be balanced with ventilation to prevent indoor air quality issues and moisture buildup. When we do your property survey, we will make sure that any insulation measures we suggest are balanced with proper ventilation.
Yes, eco-friendly options include recycled materials like denim or cellulose, as well as natural materials like our Thermafleece sheep’s wool insulation. When you choose Mitchell & Dickinson insulation you can rest assured that you are opting for an environmentally friendly option.
Well-insulated homes are often more attractive to buyers due to lower energy costs and increased comfort, potentially increasing resale value.
Regular inspections for damage or deterioration, especially in areas prone to moisture, can help maintain insulation effectiveness.
