Is this insulation project practical?

[Airlane1979]

I have a friend who is a keen DIYer, reasonably competent and experienced with a very practical mind. He wants to install internal thermal insulation to the two exterior walls of my privately rented ground floor flat which has filled cavity walls and uPVC double glazing. Because of the cavity wall, there is no ECO grant available for professional installation. He would design and fit it himself with my inexpert assistance, by creating a new stud wall.

Is this a project worth doing and would he be likely to do it properly? The closer I look, the more difficult and expensive it appears. My flat has a D energy rating and is 57 sq m, with neighbours above and on two sides. My absentee landlord has no interest in doing this and I'm unsure what he might think.

At the end of the project we would replace the roller blinds with long thermal curtains, which I suspect would (at night, anyway) go a long way on their own to reducing heat loss. I live on benefits and, even though he will pay part of the cost, this seems like a big and pricey project. Advice, please!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Is this a project worth doing and would he be likely to do it properly? The closer I look, the more difficult and expensive it appears. My flat has a D energy rating and is 57 sq m, with neighbours above and on two sides. My absentee landlord has no interest in doing this and I'm unsure what he might think.

You cannot really make any permanent changes, without your landlord permission and approval.

 

[Airlane1979]

That's what I thought. I'll have to discuss it with him.

 

[conny]

As Harry says, you can't do alterations without your LL's consent and preferably in writing so there is no come back when you leave.
Also, to gain any thermal advantage, the stud wall needs to be at least 2"-3" thick plus the thickness of the plasterboard finish. It's amazing how much that can 'appear' to reduce the room size by, especially if it's a small room.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That's what I thought. I'll have to discuss it with him.

If he agrees to it, it might be worth doing one wall as a demo of good intent, then inviting him to help fund it - it's his property you are increasing the value of.

What roughly is the surface area of the two exterior walls, versus the two which are not?

 

[Airlane1979]

I've decided against doing this: my landlord would never spend anything. I'll just replace my roller blinds with thick curtains. But thankyou for your suggestion.