Do You Insulate Interior Walls? (The Pro’s, Con’s and Warnings!)

Exterior walls and ceilings often require a minimum amount of insulation, however, this is not the case with interior walls.

If you are sensitive to noise, get cold easily, and want to avoid a damp house then you should certainly consider it. 

There are many benefits associated with insulating interior walls like sound reduction, a warmer house and therefore lower heating bills, and less moisture in your home.

Here's more on the 3 reasons why you might choose to insulate your interior walls and a look at how you can insulate them...

3 Reasons To Insulate Interior Walls (The Pros of Insulating Interior Walls)

Here are 3 reasons for you to insulate interior walls...

1. Sound Dampening

One of the main reasons why homeowners may choose to insulate their interior walls is to dampen the transfer of sound in between rooms.

For some this can be particularly helpful if some rooms inside your home are noisier than others, potentially causing disruption when you are attempting to enjoy a good night's sleep.

Although insulating a wall doesn’t completely prevent this transfer of sound, it can help to significantly reduce the sound that can be heard. 

2. Reduction of heat loss and Improved Energy Efficiency

Another common reason that encourages many to insulate their interior walls is to reduce the amount of heat that is lost through these walls.

Doing so is of course going to reduce the amount of energy that you are using and as a result, you can enjoy reduced costs along with improved energy efficiency.

It is also particularly useful if you have unused rooms inside your home.

Without insulation, these rooms will continue to use unneeded heat, however, insulating will help to prevent the heat from transferring to these rooms. 

3. Insulation can help to control moisture levels

Another benefit associated with interior wall insulation is the reduction in moisture levels.

 Some rooms are exposed to more moisture than others, for example, those that are used for showering.

If this moisture is neglected it will remain in the walls and this can lead to a build-up of mold. Choosing to insulate these walls can help to avoid this issue. 

Cons of insulating interior walls

• It can cause issues with damp.
• It won't be as effective as external wall insulation.
• It will take up floor space as your walls will be wider.
• It can be a time consuming task and disruptive to your home so you probably won't be able to access them whilst it's being worked on.

It is less effective than external wall insulation
It is more likely to cause damp problems (so needs careful planning)
You will lose internal floor area
It is a more disruptive process (you may need to move out of the rooms being worked on)

Can you insulate your own interior walls?

Now that you are aware of the benefits of insulating interior walls, you are likely wondering whether this is a task that you can complete without the need for a professional and the answer is yes.

Although certain methods are better when completed by plasterers or DIY professionals, there are methods that you can adopt to do the task yourself. 

The ability to insulate the walls yourself depends on the material that you use and how you are intending to apply it.

If you lack previous experience or knowledge in this area, you will find it beneficial to speak with an expert beforehand. 

If you are going to be using rigid foam insulation, using a plasterer or DIY professional is a preferable option.

Others may find that the warm batten method works best for them and while this method can also be completed by a professional, it is also easier to do yourself too. 

Before attempting to insulate any of the walls inside your home, you must first check the condition of the wall, assessing whether any work needs to be done beforehand in preparation for this process.

For example, if a wall is damp, this issue will need to be resolved before adding insulation otherwise it can make the issue worse. 

What material should be used to insulate interior walls?

If you are contemplating insulating your interior walls, having the correct knowledge about each of your options is super important.

There are several materials available that provide viable options for insulation.

While there is a range of materials that can be used to insulate your interior walls, you may find some to be better suited to your needs when compared to others. 

Fiberglass Batts

Fiberglass provides an affordable insulation method that can fit in between joists and studs.

Opting for fiberglass tends to be the best option for those who want to complete the task themselves.

While fiberglass batts are a popular option it can also be blown into the walls. 

Foam Boards

Foam boards are a more expensive alternative that is thinner but effective in creating a strong barrier against airflow.

For some, installation can be a little complex and because of this, it may be worth utilizing the expertise of a professional to complete the task. 

You can also opt for expandable foam which is another worthy option but more likely to require installation by a professional. 

Loose-fill Cellulose

If you want to insulate your home in an eco-friendly way, opting for loose-fill cellulose is the best option.

This material is composed of recycled materials that work well in most temperatures.

The use of chemicals to treat this material ensures that it doesn’t develop mold. If you are wanting to insulate existing interior walls, this is the best type of insulation to choose. 

Final Thoughts

Internal wall insulation can be beneficial in many ways. While it is cheaper than external wall insulation, it can help to tackle several issues ranging from disruptive noise to issues with mold and moisture.

Choosing to insulate your walls can also make your home more energy-efficient by reducing the amount of energy that is wasted in unused rooms. 

Although the process of adding internal wall installation can be a little disruptive and also complex depending on the material that you choose, for many it can be a worthwhile process. 

While some may choose to enlist the help of a professional, others may choose to attempt the process alone.

If you do want to try and insulate the walls yourself, it is still worth asking an expert in this area for some advice and knowledge to ensure that the task is completed effectively.

Preparation is also going to be key, before attempting to add insulation to your walls you must ensure that there aren’t any issues that need to be rectified beforehand or anything hanging on the wall like a TV.

For example, if a wall is already struggling with a damp issue, adding insulation is only going to worsen this issue. 

There are several materials available that can be used for interior wall insulation, however, you may find one option, in particular, to be best suited to the needs of your home.