How to save energy at home - How to insulate below floorboards

[@impamiizgraa]

This looks very doable but it'll take me a long time. I imagine the space Craig does here would've taken at least 4 hours? An hour for each step - removing the boards, putting down membrane, rolling out insulation, refitting the boards. So I have a double through-lounge, I imagine it'll take me about 4 days on my own!

[@mstoni105]

Great video with a lot of great info. The previous homeowner converted the garage into a living space but the floor was not insulated and the space gets super cold in the winter and stuffy warm in the summer. I really didn't want to rip up the bamboo flooring, but it is what needs to happen in order to fix what we affectionately named the "cold room." Watching you in this video gives me the confidence to finally tackle this project. I dread the winter because the room becomes unusable and it's a shame because it really is a nice room. Thank you.

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Good luck with the "Cold Room" Let us know how you get on

[@martin29976]

Generally worth adding a damp proof membrane between the joists and floorboards to improve airtightness and prevent moisture making its way into the insulation.

[@seanbreslin8225]

Excellent video, explained very clearly at different stages. Thank you

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrDIYCraigPhillips]

Many thanks

[@nina31011987]

Simple and easy to follow, amazing, thanks!

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@megryan5850]

Hello. Are you sure that breathable mambrane markings should be facing up? 🤔

[@chrisanderson8578]

Always well presented and well filmed. Nice one.

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it! More on the way

[@MrDIYCraigPhillips]

Thanks Chris! Much appreciated.

[@middleagedjoe8796]

Brilliant content. Thanks for sharing. Really appreciated.

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Dkny2001]

Great video thanks for sharing your knowledge. One question, what is the reason for not laying the breathable membrane just underneath the joist as a whole? Thanks

[@martin29976]

Access. Unless you have access via a basement to install from underneath it would be a nightmare or impossible to install and attach from above.

[@garico7464]

That was really helpful craig. 👍

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Glad it helped

[@AndyB1968]

Nice job, great energy saving tip too 👍🏻

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Thanks! 👍

[@MrDIYCraigPhillips]

Thanks Andy! Yes I know, so much heat gets lost this way!

[@jayjohal6892]

i have a huge 5 feet deep void under my lounge floor boards so this video is ideal! I found using a multi tool plunge blade to cut the boards as the blade is only less than 1mm thick!

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Great tip! Thanks!

[@bgate1984]

Did u lift all the floor ? Or just crawl underneath and stuff in the insulation and then hold in place with the vapour barrier? Cheers

[@andrewwillett6951]

Is the breathable membrane the correct side down allowing the moisture through and not holding around the insulation?

[@OneHundy]

Great video thank you. Could we have this installed on our grade 2 listed cottage? in between the timber beams and joists

[@nathan2504]

Can this be done between ground floor and first floor floorboards to help dampen sound?

[@christianu8023]

Yes. But you use sound insulation instead. Like specific Rockwool, which is heavier than insulation for heat retention.

[@cymatic3013]

Great job and video

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Thanks!

[@moaizamrazakhokhar4042]

Great video but I have a question. What if I use a plastic black thick dam proof sheet under the laminate and do not insulate the flood as you did? Removing all floor boards have a certain cost. Do you think can I get a similar result with damp proof thick shheet that will not allow to pass cold air?? Please give meyour opinion. TIA

[@excelserious]

Not an expert but damp proof sheet will only prevent damp from rising up, it wont stop the cold air. Think of a wool sweater vs a thin waterproof shell jacket. One will keep you warm while the other will keep you dry. Nothing will insulate like insulation.

[@minime5380]

Can’t help think Red Dwarf, love this guy 👍

[@benmason9135]

Can't tell if that was sarcasm lol. Different Craig from Liverpool!

[@claudiawainwright5334]

I have a EPC G with a loft conversion with no insulation. As the area is difficult to get at, cold water tank, I have been advised to use spray foam. Much controversail comments on this with mortgage brokers etc. as not being accepted. What advise please

[@snecklifter]

Loving the constant mixing of metric and imperial.

[@williambeckett9229]

5 feet 6 and 3 mm.....Englishmen of a certain age. If you know, you know😂😉

[@williambeckett9229]

Englishmen of a certain age. 5 feet 6 and 3 mm. If you know, you know 😂😉

[@bgate1984]

Can you attach it all from underneath if you have the crawl space? Or is this designed to allow the timbers to breathe more as the insulation doesn’t touch them? Thanks great video

[@mbrechenser2]

The insulation touches the floor boards though.

[@asifsaddique431]

Brilliant, any idea where to buy the materials and rough costs. What type of insulation is best for this type of floor as its like mine. Also if there is a vent outside, I believe I should not insulate that part?

[@rss112]

hang on a second! you used brand new flooring. Towards the end of the video the flooring has stickers! Great video either way!

[@perryray5674]

Can you please explain it I was to crawl under the floor do I need membrane and how would I do it? Thx

[@jayjohal6892]

Use metal strip banding and pin to underneath joists like i did! Much easier, quicker and cheaper

[@jayjohal6892]

Does the membrane serve a purpose or is it purely just to hold the mineral wool in place?

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

There would normally be a cavity under the floorboard, so yes, the membrane is there to hold the insulation in place

[@Station9.75]

Genuine question: doesn’t the insulation roll that goes underneath your carpet do near enough the same thing?

[@MrandMrsDIY]

Hi mate, so underlay is mainly to give your floor a base, although certain kinds can give you insulation, but nowhere near the amount of heat will escape if you have proper insulation in between your floor boards like the one in the video. Hope that helps!

[@Station9.75]

@@MrandMrsDIY - Nice one!

[@MrandMrsDIY]

@@Station9.75 No probs!

[@jayjohal6892]

that's called underlay

[@clairesouthgate7552]

Can I use any loft mineral wool? I am in the process of doing my dads house which is 1930s

[@Wild-Storm]

is insulating the first floor (ceiling) a good idea?

[@scones213]

I wouldn't think there'd be much point in that as it would just be insulating the upstairs rooms from downstairs. This is all about trapping heat inside the home.

[@awantamta]

Great job

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Thanks!

[@jayjohal6892]

Do i lay the insulation to the same depth of my joists? regardless if i have a 5feet depth void underneath??

[@mike-777]

Would this help with heat coming from radiator pipes that heat my bed up?

[@harikrishnasaragalla2957]

Thanks

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

No problem, hope it helped!

[@azizgulamhusein1634]

If I am insulating between joists from below can I tack some breathable membrane to the underside of the joists to help prevent cold drafts coming up through?

[@jayjohal6892]

Yes mate, thats even better if you can climb down underneath! Watch out for creepy crawlies tho! 🕷️ 🕷️🕷️🕷️😊

[@jayjohal6892]

Any reason why you don't wanna lift the floor boards??

[@StuffOffYouStuff]

Hiya, I've been told putting a membrane on the cold side (underneath) will create condensation against the insulation. It should be on the top. What is the rational for doing it here? Are there differences i need to know about? Thanks in advance.

[@scottm4193]

You’re thinking of a vapour control layer rather than a breather membrane. Vapour control layers go on the warm side of the insulation and breather membranes on the cold side. Although I’m not sure why he’s using a breather membrane on a suspended floor it’s unusual. I suspect maybe just for something to use to hold the insulation up and maybe reducing droughts.

[@StuffOffYouStuff]

@@scottm4193 Many thanks for the reply my friend!

[@TheLife0025]

Can you use screws instead of shunken head nails.?

[@darrenhusband99]

Can this be done between downstairs ceilings and 1st floor floor boards?

[@garylogan5833]

Yes, but why? If the whole house is insulated (ground, wall, roof), then insulating between floors is pretty pointless. If the room design temperature is 21 degrees and radiators sized properly, for the top and bottom rooms, the insulation will do absolutely nothing.

[@PapiQaz]

Hi - can i do this in the bedroom and attic floors as well without any issues? The entire house is freezing in the winter so thinking I'll do every room, ine at a time - thanks

[@gracegarner4629]

I did exactly this 18 months ago. It helps to keep the heat in each room, which is really helpful if you only heat rooms you are using.

[@PapiQaz]

@@gracegarner4629 thanks for your message - did you use this method with the breathable membrane in the upper floors as well?

[@gracegarner4629]

@@PapiQaz I didn't. Membrane is used under the ground floor to hold the insulation in place only, but whatever is used needs to be breathable (I have netting under my ground floor so most of the insulation is exposed). You don't need to use a membrane upstairs because your ceiling does the holding and it's breathable. I hope that makes sense, basically just lift the boards and lay the material like you would in the loft.

[@PapiQaz]

@@gracegarner4629 awesome - thank you very much for replying :)

[@jayjohal6892]

@@gracegarner4629I didnt use the membrane, even on the ground floor! i used metal banding pinned to under the joists and used them every 300mm apart to hold up the insulation

[@njnj3259]

What do I do if I got pipes and cables everywhere?

[@markwelsh2009]

Is wool insulation better than the board insulation?

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Wool is much cheaper and easier to lay, board does have better insulation though

[@sohail2897]

@@SilverlineToolsTV can we use rockwool slabs as well? Looking to take on this project in the near future

[@Diaduitireland]

Hello, can I use Fakro breathable membrane? Green side up?

[@jayjohal6892]

It doesn't have to be breathable membrane to hold the insulation in place. I used a 100m roll of metal banding that is normally used to hold conduit in place against walls. i pinned it to the underside of the joists every 300mm apart and it worked a treat!

[@DesertTuna]

👍

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

Thanks!

[@jayjohal6892]

Where is the membrane from??

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

We used a roofing membrane/ breathable felt from Homebase

[@edvella6685]

Um, did he not forget vapour barrier?

[@amarnam6983]

Arguable. Craig does state why i.e. breathable. Especially in the loft.

[@jayjohal6892]

No, not if air bricks are fitted underneath the joists

[@mrdeafa25]

Watching this clown trying to prise up a floorboard that he is actually kneeling on, priceless.

[@cw2126]

Yes then Craig lad great idea 🪚👖👊

[@SilverlineToolsTV]

He knows his stuff!

[@MrDIYCraigPhillips]

Thanks mate!