Internal wall insulation regs

[cmb2020]

Hi all

I’ve got a mid terrace cottage with solid walls and floor. Only insulation is loft.

move got some 50mm insulated plasterboard to internally insulate the front, back and partitioning walls.

my question is, does it need to be legally registered with anyone or certified in order to sell the house in the future? Or is it something I can do myself?

I don’t have the money to spend and am experienced enough to do a good job myself.

Thanks in advance

 

[jacko555]

There's far more knowledgeable people and some bco's on the site who can advise.

I think it is notifiable work

Making significant changes to thermal elements (walls, roofs or floors) would normally require Building Regulations approval and require the thermal insulation of the element to be upgraded to a reasonable standard. Walls are defined by Regulation 2(3) of the Building Regulations 2010 as being thermal elements.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/47/roof/6

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/32/insulation/5

Although it is your house. Will the insulation police come knocking? You may have trouble selling if you advertise its got IWI and the solicitor knows it should have been registered and wasn't. They do these checks. They may miss it. You may need to buy an indemnity policy when selling to cover it.

Then again, for the cost and energy involved upgrading the house, why not register the work?

 

[JohnD]

Why do you want to insulate the "partitioning" walls?

 

[cmb2020]

Hi I was told I should insulate 400mm inwards of partitioning wall. But thinking I could do with doing the big landing wall as it is so big and cold. Literally wet right now in the cupboard above the stairs.

I don’t mind registering it. But I have literally no knowledge on laws for it. And I want to keep it all legitimate. But I’m broke!

Im doing a good job and pretty sure it’s by the book. Following almost 2 years of research and preparations.

Is there any way of registering my own work? Or is it only achievable with a specialised installer registering it to the relevant people?

Sorry if it sounds stupid. Hopefully someone can shed some light on the process.

 

[^woody^]

It does not need any approval, and it's a complete waste of time and money to insulate internal walls.

 

[JohnD]

Hi I was told I should insulate 400mm inwards of partitioning wall.

Told by whom?

Did your source tell you any benefit?

How much heat do you think escapes from one occupied and warm room to another?


Also, you mention a wet wall. I expect you mean condensation. You need to find the source of this water and stop it. Is somebody squirting a hose at this wall, or throwing buckets of water at it? Is there a leaking pipe? Or is it the more common action of hanging wet washing on radiators, or having steamy showers without using an effective extractor fan?

 

[Diver Fred]

AFAIK you will require an EPC if and when you sell. To get with recognition of the work you need evidence of the insulation installed. That can be a certificate from an \approved' company, paperwork from Building Control or if you do the work yourself you need receipts of the purchases of materials and photographs of the work stages.

Do you have an EPC (SAP) certificate? If so see what that recommends for the amount of insulation needed. If you do not have an EPC (check online as all registered certificates are available online). If the house doesn't have one then I suggest it might be worth your while asking an Energy Performance inspector to do you an inspection first but not to register the certificate.

 

[Diver Fred]

I it's a complete waste of time and money to insulate internal walls.

Why? could you explain please?

 

[frutbunn]

You would only need B Regs for insulating the external walls (thermal elements), ignore any advice to the contrary it is incorrect, the internal walls (partioning walls) do not require permission, though it is a pointless exercise.
You can apply for B reg to the local authority or a private inspector.

 

[JohnD]

Why? could you explain please?

It would be much more interesting to see you try to explain what you think the benefits are.

 

[jacko555]

insulated plasterboard to internally insulate the front, back

So building regs are required for the front and back walls? Surely they are thermal elements? Not arguing, genuinely curious if I was wong

 

[Diver Fred]

So my question is based language usage... I well understand that internal dividing walls don't need thermal insulation (although there could be noise reduction benefits). But I've also seen comments that there is no benefit in insulating the inside (internal leaf) of external walls.

 

[frutbunn]

So building regs are required for the front and back walls? Surely they are thermal elements? Not arguing, genuinely curious if I was wong

It is required as it is a renovation to a thermal element.

 

[JP_]

I never notified anybody of my work....
I did read a suggestion somewhere once that you should photograph the work you are doing so when you come to sell you can get a better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) grade, as they would otherwise assume no insulation - they look and guess most of the time.

It's often cheaper and better to use 50mm insulation board with plasterboard on top, rather than the ready bonded stuff - you can't create a vapour barrier with the bonded, so would ideally need to do something about that too.

 

[frutbunn]

Something I overlooked, B regs can apply to the renovation of an internal wall if it is between a heated and unheated space, for example garage separating wall between garage and the habitable heated area but would not apply between internal bedroom/living/kitchen walls etc.