Are you considering insulating your house? Insulating a brick wall from the interior can be a useful way to increase comfort and energy efficiency. There is often insufficient insulation in older homes with solid brick walls, which results in heat gain in the summer and loss in the winter. You can improve thermal performance without changing the external appearance by insulating from the inside.
Choosing the appropriate materials and installation techniques for your home is essential when insulating a brick wall from the inside. For homeowners looking to DIY their insulation project and save money while still getting good results, this method is perfect. Making decisions that are well-suited to your needs and financial constraints will be made easier if you are aware of the resources and methods that are available.
There are many materials made specifically for interior insulation, ranging from more modern options like aerogel and reflective insulation to more conventional options like mineral wool and foam boards. In terms of thermal resistance, simplicity of installation, and suitability for various wall configurations, each material has special advantages. Long-term energy savings and optimal performance are ensured by selecting the appropriate insulation material.
| Material | Description |
| Foam Board Insulation | Easy to cut and fit between wall studs. Provides a high R-value per inch of thickness, which means good thermal insulation. |
| Mineral Wool (Rock Wool) | Good thermal and acoustic insulation. Resistant to fire and moisture, but requires a vapor barrier to prevent moisture buildup. |
| Polyurethane Spray Foam | Expands on application, filling gaps and cracks. Offers excellent insulation and air sealing properties. |
| Rigid Foam Insulation Panels | Durable and moisture-resistant. Ideal for use in areas where high insulation performance is needed. |
| Reflective Foil Insulation | Reflects radiant heat away from the wall. Often used in combination with other insulation types for added efficiency. |
Pros and cons of internal thermal insulation of a house
Insulating a private home’s walls from the outside is preferable when starting from scratch or making renovations to an existing structure. Furthermore, it is improbable that a private residence is situated in a historically significant area, so you won’t need to go through the formal channels to obtain authorization to customize the facade to your preference.
Insulating the outer wall is preferable if there are no issues; insulation of the inner wall should only be done as a backup measure to stop heat loss.
When it comes to an apartment complex, the situation is distinct. Here, you require the approval of other residents as well as the authorities. Modifying the wall’s appearance on the location of a single apartment is prohibited if the house is a historically significant building. The building’s entire facade needs to be insulated at once.
In these situations, locals insulate the wall from the inside out of a lack of desire to bother and a desire to avoid drawing undue attention to themselves. This is practically the only way to insulate a home for such people.
Current building codes state that interior insulation is not advised since moisture will build up in the layer of insulation. The following illustration shows this.
Moisture was in the middle of the wall before insulation was added, but it was now right next to it. Consequently, these areas will experience an accumulation of condensation and moisture, which will eventually seep through the insulation and onto the room’s inner wall. This will result in mold and fungus growing on the walls, as well as moisture.
As a result, it’s critical to ensure that the inside walls are properly insulated and have adequate ventilation to help exhaust the space and drive out any remaining moisture. Depending on the material’s thickness, the room’s area will shrink from 0.5 m2 to 2 m2 after the brick walls have been insulated from the inside.
Since heat cannot escape through the chilly walls to the outside, heating a room becomes easier when insulation is added from the inside.
When homes are situated closely together and there is not enough room to work on the walls between them, this technique is essential.
Construction materials and tools
The following tool is required for the builder to complete the task:
- Hammer, pick – for knocking off excess areas from the wall.
- Drill, mixer – for mixing the solution.
- Screwdriver and self-tapping screws – for screwing profiles.
- Construction knife.
- Metal scissors.
- Construction stapler.
- Level.
- Tape measure and pencil – for measurements.
- Trowel, comb and spatula.
- Paint brush, brush or roller – for priming and possible painting.
- PPE (goggles, gloves, earplugs, respirator, protective suit for working with polyurethane foam).
Materials needed:
- primer;
- polyurethane foam;
- glue or solution for gluing insulation or vapor barrier;
- tape for connecting insulating materials;
- sheathing made of metal or wood;
- drywall;
- mesh for reinforcement or fiberglass;
- plaster;
- paint or other finishing coating.
You should research an insulation’s density, thickness, environmental, fire, and thermal conductivity before making a decision. The following materials can be used to insulate interior brick walls:
- Penofol – foamed polyethylene up to 1 cm thick. It is convenient because it slightly reduces the area of the room after installation, while its thermal insulation properties are no worse than other materials. For example, only 4 mm of penofol in terms of characteristics and quality of insulation are equivalent to 8 cm of mineral wool. You need to choose a material marked “A”, it means that penofol is intended for insulating walls, and not floor slabs or roofs.
- Polyurethane foam – thin thermal insulation layer up to 2 cm. The convenience is that before spraying polyurethane foam there is no need to lay a vapor barrier layer.
- Expanded polystyrene. One of the cheapest and simplest insulation methods along with polystyrene foam. In a fire it does not burn, but smolders. But it takes up a lot of usable space in the room.
- Mineral wool – soundproofing and fireproof material. For internal insulation, you need to take material 2 times thicker than for external work, since all the condensation will accumulate in it. In terms of performance characteristics, mineral wool is worse than polyurethane foam, but cheaper in cost.
- Styrofoam – it is recommended to use it only if the external walls are also insulated. Otherwise, the foam will freeze, get wet, and mold will begin to form on it. In addition, the material is not fireproof; it is flammable and burns quickly, releasing toxic toxins.
How to properly insulate a room with your own hands?
Once you’ve chosen the insulation and bought all the required supplies and equipment, you can get started on the job.
Whichever material is chosen, the wall surface must be prepared in order to improve the insulation’s adherence to the base.
Low indoor humidity and an outside temperature of no less than -20°C are ideal for interior work. It is simple to adjust the second parameter if the first is unaffected by anyone. To thoroughly dry the walls, turn on the stove, fireplace, and heater. Small damp spots can be dried with a hair dryer set to 200°C if there are none.
Start cleaning after it has dried. It is necessary to remove all trash, dust, outdated plaster, wallpaper, paint, etc.
They are employed for these reasons:
- spatula,
- hammer,
- pick,
- Perforator,
- Maclovice with water.
Consequently, a tidy and ready state for the next phase ought to be acquired.
If there is evidence of mold or fungus growth on the wall, special attention needs to be given to it. It will appear better if you simply give it a quick wash with water, but this is only apparent at first.
These bacteria’s disputes stay within the brick’s pores, where they will eventually "bloom" once more with a vibrant hue. Applying an antiseptic or bactericidal solution to the afflicted surface is therefore crucial.
The wall must be loaded once it has completely dried. Some foolishly choose to replace the primer with regular water because they mistakenly think that the primer’s function is surface purification.
However, the primer’s function extends beyond simply clearing the brick’s surface of dust; it also fills in all of the brick’s tiny pores, improving the adhesion of the next material to the wall. In conclusion, use primer to improve adhesion and water to remove dust.
The wall is primed once, or twice if required, but you have to wait for the first coat to fully dry before proceeding.
The surface is prepared to have insulation installed. The selection of material determines what comes next. If the material is polystyrene foam, the components are installed with the seams spaced from bottom to top starting at the corner. Polyurethane foam needs to be poured into all of the joints and seams completely; the leftover foam can be removed after five to seven days.
Using a compressor, mineral wool is inserted into the spaces between the frame sheathing and polyurethane foam is sprayed onto the wall. Penofol is adhered to the wall with glue, and specialized tape is used to seal the seams between the strips.
You can install drywall or plaster the insulation (on mineral wool) after it has dried.
The dried protective layer is then covered with a decorative plaster, paint, wallpaper, or other finishing coat. An interior brick wall is ready for insulation.
Internal brick wall insulation and soundproofing, with video instructions:
This guide examines useful do-it-yourself techniques and supplies for efficiently insulating a brick wall’s interior. Homeowners can improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their dwellings by concentrating on methods that are easily attainable and materials that are widely available. This article seeks to equip readers with the knowledge necessary to handle this project with confidence and effectiveness, from selecting appropriate insulation types to providing step-by-step installation tips.
Typical mistakes when working
Common errors to steer clear of:
- Bad insulation. You need to buy material from trusted people or stores. Don’t be fooled by cheap prices and “summer sales”. Often, large discounts on construction products are placed in order to quickly sell out expired or low-quality goods. Buying bad material is the key to quickly deteriorating the insulation and the entire wall.
- Poor seam sealing. This leads to moisture seeping through such joints. They become “cold bridges” along which cold and dampness pass from the street to the room.
- Low vapor permeability of the material. Since the heating of the room is turned on at home, and people themselves breathe, bathe and cook food, the humidity in the room will be increased. The steam needs to go outside and not settle on the interior walls, causing mildew and mold. Therefore, before buying insulation, you need to take into account its vapor permeability. The higher it is, the better.
Workplace challenges may arise when exhibiting polyurethane foam. Since this calls for a specialized tool, it is best to have a professional handle such tasks.
In other situations, it’s crucial to make an effort to apply the material to the wall as firmly as you can. For instance, a comb—rather than a spatula—should be used to level glue on polystyrene and polystrene foam. The tile moved away from the wall as a result of the large amount of solution, so it won’t work. Because there are more voids, the glue is spread evenly throughout the region.
Check out this section if you’re interested in learning how to insulate the brick walls from the inside as well as the outside.
An interior brick wall can be insulated to greatly increase your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. With the correct supplies and a methodical approach, you can successfully complete this project by yourself.
Begin by evaluating the state of your wall and locating any current problems, such as moisture or cracks. By taking care of these in advance, you can make sure that your insulation efforts produce results that last.
Think about things like compatibility with your wall type, ease of installation, and R-value when choosing your insulation materials. Foam board, mineral wool, and reflective foil are typical choices. Each has benefits based on your needs and financial situation.
Make sure you have the appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and a dust mask, before starting the insulation process. Exercise caution when handling insulation materials to prevent irritation to yourself and to guarantee a seamless installation.
To get the best results, carefully follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Seal joints and gaps correctly to stop air leaks, which can reduce how effective your insulation is. Keeping indoor temperatures constant and cutting energy costs require taking this action.
After insulation, track how much energy and how comfortable your house is. Evaluate any upgrades and deal with any areas that might need more insulation or modifications. Insulating your brick wall from the inside can be a satisfying do-it-yourself project that improves the efficiency and livability of your house with careful planning and execution.
