Maybe not quite DIY but still ...

My seat-of-the-pants measurements and observations tell me that the 
cavity insulation in our house could be a lot better.

The cavities are filled with small pea-sized polystyrene beads.  I am 
far from convinced that the cavities are 'fully' filled - I guess they 
are originally filled from the top, so I'd take a safe bet that there 
are big voids under windows, fo example.  And likely the beads settle - 
so there may be a void at the top of the cavities.  I also am less than 
convinced of the efficiency of this type of insulation.

Has anyone got specific experience and/or comments on it ?

And a bigger question - what could I replace it with - assuming I'm 
willing to pay a large amount for a substantial improvement in 
insulation ?   I think, however, that removing and re-building the outer 
leaf is not on the agenda, but if anyone has that experience please say so.

      .... Dave

Dave Martin wrote:

> Maybe not quite DIY but still ...
>
> My seat-of-the-pants measurements and observations tell me that the
> cavity insulation in our house could be a lot better.
>
> The cavities are filled with small pea-sized polystyrene beads.  I am
> far from convinced that the cavities are 'fully' filled - I guess they
> are originally filled from the top, so I'd take a safe bet that there
> are big voids under windows, fo example.  And likely the beads settle -
> so there may be a void at the top of the cavities.  I also am less than
> convinced of the efficiency of this type of insulation.
>
> Has anyone got specific experience and/or comments on it ?
>
> And a bigger question - what could I replace it with - assuming I'm
> willing to pay a large amount for a substantial improvement in
> insulation ?   I think, however, that removing and re-building the outer
> leaf is not on the agenda, but if anyone has that experience please say so.
> 
>       .... Dave


Get yourself another hobby.

since you clearly have nothing to contribute kindly take your abuse to 
some other place and leave this forum to the very helpful and informed 
people who provide excellent mutual assistance.   ... D


nthng2snet@netscape.net wrote:

> Dave Martin wrote:
> 
>>Maybe not quite DIY but still ...
>>
>>My seat-of-the-pants measurements and observations tell me that the
>>cavity insulation in our house could be a lot better.
>>
>>The cavities are filled with small pea-sized polystyrene beads.  I am
>>far from convinced that the cavities are 'fully' filled - I guess they
>>are originally filled from the top, so I'd take a safe bet that there
>>are big voids under windows, fo example.  And likely the beads settle -
>>so there may be a void at the top of the cavities.  I also am less than
>>convinced of the efficiency of this type of insulation.
>>
>>Has anyone got specific experience and/or comments on it ?
>>
>>And a bigger question - what could I replace it with - assuming I'm
>>willing to pay a large amount for a substantial improvement in
>>insulation ?   I think, however, that removing and re-building the outer
>>leaf is not on the agenda, but if anyone has that experience please say so.
>>
>>      .... Dave
> 
> 
> Get yourself another hobby.
> 

Dave Martin wrote:


>Maybe not quite DIY but still ...
>
>My seat-of-the-pants measurements and observations tell me that the 
>cavity insulation in our house could be a lot better.
>
>The cavities are filled with small pea-sized polystyrene beads.  I am 
>far from convinced that the cavities are 'fully' filled - I guess they 
>are originally filled from the top, so I'd take a safe bet that there 
>are big voids under windows, fo example.  And likely the beads settle - 
>so there may be a void at the top of the cavities.  I also am less than 
>convinced of the efficiency of this type of insulation.
>
>Has anyone got specific experience and/or comments on it ?
>

That sounds like the system that I had installed a few houses and
about 20 years ago.  I recall that Shell were behind it in some
way.

They certainly drilled an extensive hole pattern so as to get
full coverage, and there was an adhesive sprayed in as the beads
were blown into the cavity, to prevent subsequent movement.

Unless you have specific reason to doubt the integrity (been
round with your Maplin infrared thermometer
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=36598&doy=19m9
for instance), I should leave it alone.

Chris
-- 
Chris J Dixon  Nottingham UK
chris@cdixon.me.uk

Have dancing shoes, will ceilidh.

It's still widely used as an insulating material for cavity fill - do
you not have a CIGA 25 yr guarantee for the insulation?  If so, and you
can show there are gaps in the fill claim on the guarantee and get it
sorted.

Thanks Chris & Alan - no I have seen no guarantee ( but I know the 
original owner so will ask ), and yes I think glue was used because the 
stuff does not come out easily ( eg when replacing windows ).  But your 
best tip is the infrared thermometer - I'll look into that ... thanks 
again ... Dave