Insulating suspended ground floor under laminate?

[jwilf]

Currently we have bare floorboards in the lounge with gaps between the boards. Last winter, the room was freezing. We are having building work done soon to knock the kitchen and lounge together. The kitchen has a solid concrete floor. We will install laminate flooring throughout the kitchen/living area, i.e. over the concrete in the kitchen area, and over the suspended floor in the lounge.

My question is, is it worth lifting the floorboards in the lounge and insulating between the joists with loft insulation or similar? Or will the laminate, which will of course have an underlay, make enough difference on it's own, given it will stop draughts rising from under the floor?

 

[mikeey84]

Yes. Very much so. Its not a fun job, but it does make a difference

 

[Notch7]

You can lay netting over the joists and lay loft roll insulation.

Or pin battens to the sides of each joist and fit celetex

You might find that once you take up the floor boards, the insulation will fall under building regs and you will need to minimum amount.

 

[endecotp]

Also insulate any central heating & hot water pipes you find under there.

 

[jwilf]

Thanks guys, sounds like its worth doing. Probably worth lifting the boards even just to insulate the heating pipes actually - hadn't thought about that.