The cost of installing internal wall insulation can sometimes be half the price of external insulation, but due to the numerous disadvantages of this solution, walls should always be insulated from the outside whenever feasible.
Many people opt for internal wall insulation during renovations because it is a simpler, faster, and cheaper solution compared to installing insulation on the exterior side of the wall. However, it should be noted that cost might be the only advantage, and compared to external insulation, internal insulation mostly has only drawbacks.
When Internal Wall Insulation is the Only Option
There are several reasons why internal wall insulation is only option. For example, it is necessary to insulate a “cold” external wall in an apartment on the tenth floor of a building. Also, in smaller buildings and lower floors, internal insulation is often the only solution because it is usually difficult for all residents in the building to agree on installing comprehensive external insulation. Sometimes external work is not possible due to the significance of the building or its location.
Related Articles:
EIGHT COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME INSULATION
STYROFOAM OR ROCK WOOL: WHICH INSULATION IS BETTER?
GRAPHITE STYROFOAM: IS THE HIGHER COST WORTH IT?
In such situations, the compromise solution is installing internal insulation, but it should be noted that this is a forced solution and carries many potential disadvantages.
Disadvantages of Internal Wall Insulation
The most problematic issue is the difficulty of eliminating potential thermal bridges. Therefore, at low temperatures, there is a higher chance of condensation occurring in certain places. This problem is significantly less pronounced with the installation of external insulation.
Additionally, when the insulation is on the inside, the wall itself remains uninsulated, which can be problematic if it contains plumbing pipes that are then more exposed to freezing at low temperatures.
The most obvious disadvantage is the loss of usable space with internal insulation. This will be particularly noticeable if insulation is installed in a small room, and even more so if two walls are insulated, which can cause problems with furniture arrangement. Additionally, it should be noted that installing internal insulation requires relocating all outlets and switches.
How to Mount Shelves on Insulated Walls?
After installing internal insulation, you must consider that there is no longer a solid base, so mounting heavier items, like bookshelves, becomes more challenging. It requires the installation of special long anchors that can reach the solid part of the wall to bear the load. This applies to all types of insulation materials – mineral wool, styrofoam, etc.
Finally, let’s mention the thermal stability of the room, which is much worse with internal insulation. When the wall is insulated from the outside, during the heating season, the internal side of the wall accumulates a large amount of heat energy, making the room more comfortable even after the heating stops.
The same goes for the summer months. External insulation protects the wall from overheating, making the room much more comfortable without air conditioning, compared to spaces insulated from the inside. However, this problem will not be as pronounced if only one or two walls in the entire apartment are insulated.
The conclusion is clear – internal wall insulation should only be a solution when external insulation is not possible and should be limited to one or two “cold” walls. The lower cost of internal wall insulation compared to external insulation should never be the deciding factor.