Insulation question - Bedroom with three external walls.

Tombo2001

As per the title, the bedroom I'm asking about bedroom with three externall walls, in the return of the house.

Its about 4.5 metres long, 3 wide. Both of the long walls are external, and one of the shorter.

Bedroom has an single glazed aluminium window, probably 1.5m by 1.2m in size.

In terms of making it a warmer room.....and my funds are tight.....

Am I better off replacing the window with decent quality double glaze uPVC or alternatively dryling the three external walls in the room with circa 70mm/80mm insulated plasterboard. Both probably similar price to do.

Many thanks.

dixiefly

I am not an expert but, in my experience, the insulated plasterboard would be your best option.

MicktheMan

What are the specs of the current external walls?
Imo, if you go ahead with what you plan wrt insulated slabs, you are introducing the very real risk of interstitial condensation and mould. Do more research before spending.

Tombo2001

MicktheMan wrote: »

What are the specs of the current external walls?
Imo, if you go ahead with what you plan wrt insulated slabs, you are introducing the very real risk of interstitial condensation and mould. Do more research before spending.

Thanks for the answer.

When you say that, do you mean any situation involving insulated slabs carries a risk of condensation, or do you mean this case in particular? If this case in particular, then why so.

Re spec, its a solid block external wall, 1940s built, think 225m thick. I cant say much more about the spec than that really.

I've read a lot of damning reports on boards about internal drylining with insulated slabs; but part of me wonders if it is such an inferior method , why is it so popular; and why do I not hear more from people saying 'I drylined my bedrooms and it was a disaster'.

In terms of making this room warmer, I have two choices at present, internal drylining or a new window....I cant afford an external dryline, grant or no grant. So whether its a superior method or not, its just not relevant to me....

Andrew_Doran

Based on the info you've given a back of a fag packet calc suggests heat loss through the walls being about 3 to 4 times more than through the window.

Tombo2001 wrote: »

if it is such an inferior method , why is it so popular

It's comparatively cheap and quick and easy to do and you get redecoration throw in. Plus you'll find everything needed in stock in any builder's providers you care to try, so a nice easy one for the builder/DIYer. The other insulation methods or variations of interior insulation don't tick all those boxes.

MicktheMan

Tombo2001 wrote: »

1. When you say that, do you mean any situation involving insulated slabs carries a risk of condensation, or do you mean this case in particular? If this case in particular, then why so.

2. I've read a lot of damning reports on boards about internal drylining with insulated slabs; but part of me wonders if it is such an inferior method , why is it so popular; and why do I not hear more from people saying 'I drylined my bedrooms and it was a disaster'.

3. In terms of making this room warmer, I have two choices at present, internal drylining or a new window....I cant afford an external dryline, grant or no grant. So whether its a superior method or not, its just not relevant to me....

1. Every house, regardless of construction or insulation type carries a risk of condensation / mould growth if the right conditions are allowed to prevail. The thickness of insulation you are thinking of using increases this (real) risk substantially.
2. 10 years ago, buying property as investments was "popular"! Have you ever stopped to think why so many of our children carry asthma inhalers around with them compared to their parent's generation? Something has changed in their environment and since they spend a lot more time indoors (again compared to their parent's) then perhaps you might conclude that buildings have something to do with it. Who knows what future study will find. But when the laws of physics suggest there may be an issue, why risk it?
3. Perhaps you have another choice. How do you know (for sure) that heat conduction through your walls or window is the primary heat loss mechanism in this room?