When it comes to insulating a home and ensuring it is energy efficient, cavity wall insulation is one of the most common examples. But what is the difference between full fill and partial fill cavity wall insulation and when should you use them?
The regulations
First, you need to understand the regulations surrounding cavity wall insulation. Part L of the Building Regulations, which covers the energy efficiency of both new homes and home renovations, now has more strict requirements for energy efficiency. In fact, it targets a 31% reduction in carbon emissions from all new homes. To achieve this, any cavity wall that is below ground level, between ceiling rafters or floor insulation must have a minimum thickness of 150mm (previously 100mm) under new regulations.
A gap must also be left between each layer of the building. This gap serves to stop moisture from penetrating through the exterior wall and into a home, which can cause damp or mould, and improve the effectiveness of the insulation by trapping air, which is a poor conductor of heat. This means hot air generated inside a home will not leave the building through the walls, keeping heat in, ensuring a more energy efficient and warm home.
However, what is the difference between full fill cavity wall insulation and partial fill?
Full Fill
Full fill cavity insulation is defined as being in contact with both the exterior and interior walls of masonry, helping to prevent thermal bridging by ensuring heat isn’t lost or gained through structural components. Whilst traditional blown fibre or mineral wool slab insulation will completely fill a gap, there are other solutions like our Eco-Cavity Full Fill, which can retain a small design cavity, resisting moisture transfer thanks to the air gap.
As a result of all of this, our Eco-Cavity Full Fill is ideal for masonry walls where a full fill solution is the chosen construction type, with the 10mm maintained air gap helping to resist moisture transfer, without impacting on thermal performance.
Partial Fill
Alternatively, there’s partial fill cavity insulation, a cost-effective solution that offers easier installation compared to other insulation solutions, increased flexibility in terms of the choice of thickness used and allows for the use of wider cavities.
This larger cavity gap can result in better ventilation and drainage, ideal for new build homes, ensuring less moisture penetration and a high level of energy efficiency. Our Eco-Cavity product meets this need, allowing for up to a 50mm cavity gap to be implemented.
Interested in finding out more or learning which solution is best for your project? Chat to our team, here.
