Solid floor insulation above the concrete - good idea or not?

[KJKJ78]

Hi All,

My lovely stone cottage has a crappy concrete floor (I was hoping to find flagstones). I don't want the major disruption of having it dug up but do want to increase insulation where possible as I want to get an Air Source Heat Pump. So my question is, is insulating a solid floor above the concrete a good idea and if so, what have people used before - would you recommend it etc. etc.

 

[Cubist]

You would need to carefully consider how deep the new insulation layer and coverings would need to be to make an appreciable difference - and then consider how that new surface height may compromise and door opening etc. There may not be room to increase the height of these to allow viable/safe passage.

 

[KJKJ78]

Hmmm, yes, the cottage is pretty tiny. I read about multi foil insulation that's only 4mm thick. The house currently has a decent level of underlay and a thick carpet on top so it could be ok. Let's say the height difference is ok, is there anything else I should be worried about do you think?

 

[Cubist]

I have no experience of those materials but perhaps other members here do and can comment. Good luck.

 

[a twig]

Multi foil generally doesn’t perform as well when it’s compressed. Normally something like XPS is used when you’re trying to insulate on top of a slab although that usually gets used under a laminate floating floor.

To be honest if you have no damp issues with your concrete floor and don’t want to dig it out I’d be tempted to go for a thick underlay or an insulated underlay and focus your insulating money / attentions elsewhere

 

[Itchinfilth]

Check a small area to see what's underneath. We had a rather nice surprise when we got through 6' of the concrete with most flags in-situ underneath. I might add, we were taking the concrete up anyway is it was trapping moisture underneath and tracking up the walls

 

[KJKJ78]

Multi foil generally doesn’t perform as well when it’s compressed. Normally something like XPS is used when you’re trying to insulate on top of a slab although that usually gets used under a laminate floating floor.

To be honest if you have no damp issues with your concrete floor and don’t want to dig it out I’d be tempted to go for a thick underlay or an insulated underlay and focus your insulating money / attentions elsewhere

I think this sounds like a good option. It's not damp but I guess that could change in winter, hmmm. I'm knocking through to the kitchen so I'll Probably go for a thick underlay and then some sort of vinyl flooring I think. I shall research flooring that doesn't look horrendous! Thanks for the suggestion

 

[KJKJ78]

Check a small area to see what's underneath. We had a rather nice surprise when we got through 6' of the concrete with most flags in-situ underneath. I might add, we were taking the concrete up anyway is it was trapping moisture underneath and tracking up the walls

I REALLY want to but I've already dismantled half the downstairs and I really don't have the budget to keep digging, if you'll pardon the pun! I shall try to hold myself back!

 

[Itchinfilth]

I REALLY want to but I've already dismantled half the downstairs and I really don't have the budget to keep digging, if you'll pardon the pun! I shall try to hold myself back!

I did mine fairly cheaply with the purchase of a £60.00 drill and already had a skip on site. It is back breaking mind! Maybe consider doing a sample area to save disappointment and a lot of sweat!