Insulation in Nord (59)
Insulation in Nord (59) must take account of a housing stock strongly characterised by terraced town houses, older brickwork and homes built before current thermal standards. Heat loss does not occur in the same way everywhere: the roof, front and rear façades, exposed gables, floors or windows can play different roles depending on the configuration. The humid and windy climate also means ventilation and the condition of the building elements must be considered. The aim is therefore to identify the areas to be treated and the techniques suited to the building rather than applying the same solution to every home.
Tip: have your energy performance certificate (DPE) and energy bills to hand for a more accurate estimate.
Why insulate in Nord
In older brick houses, solid walls were often built without an insulating layer. A narrow façade may appear limited in area, but heat loss can combine with that from the roof, windows and rear façade. By contrast, party walls adjoin neighbouring heated spaces and are generally not a priority. An assessment of the building envelope therefore helps focus the work on the parts genuinely exposed to the outside.
The climate in Nord adds another constraint: a cold surface combined with poor air circulation can encourage condensation in certain rooms. The choice of an insulation system therefore involves more than its thickness. The condition of the substrate, vapour management, thermal bridges and the existing ventilation must also be considered. In urban centres, façade regulations and alignment with the street may also steer the project towards internal insulation.
What insulation includes
Assessing the loft and roof
The national page on insulation presents the main areas that can be treated in a home. In housing typical of Nord, lofts require particular attention when older insulation has become inadequate, compressed or discontinuous. Depending on the configuration, the assessment covers the loft floor, roof slopes or roof, together with junctions with walls and service penetrations.
Treating exposed walls
Brick façades can be insulated internally or, where the configuration and local rules allow, externally. The choice depends on the condition of the masonry, the available space, the façade concerned and architectural constraints. In a terraced house, walls facing directly outside are distinguished from party walls between homes, which do not have the same thermal role.
Insulating suspended or ground floors
A floor above a cellar, basement or unheated space can be a source of heat loss and create a sensation of cold underfoot. Where access permits, treatment may be considered from below. Feasibility nevertheless depends on the available headroom, existing services, the type of floor and the constraints of the space underneath.
Windows and airtightness
Replacing a window is not effective if its junctions with the masonry still allow significant air leakage. The assessment therefore considers the windows themselves, but also their installation, any shutter boxes, perimeter seals and the air inlets required for ventilation. In older homes, these junction points can be just as important as the glazing selected.
Continuity between the different areas
A thermal envelope works as a whole. A properly treated roof that is poorly connected to the wall, or an insulated façade with numerous breaks, can leave cold areas. Junctions between walls, floors, roof and openings are therefore assessed to limit discontinuities. This approach also helps coordinate the work with ventilation and the other systems in the home.
Typical situations in Nord
Brick terraced house with older loft insulation
The roof and the front and rear façades are the main exposed surfaces. If the loft contains an older layer that has deteriorated or become discontinuous, treating it may be among the first options considered. Party walls adjoining neighbouring homes are assessed differently because they do not face directly outside.
Courtyard house with limited internal width
In a compact property, adding a substantial thickness to the walls can noticeably reduce the available floor area. The choice of an internal technique must therefore take account of circulation routes, openings, services and how the rooms are used. The value of treating the roof or floor can also be compared with insulating the vertical walls.
Street-facing façade in a dense urban area
In Lille or Tourcoing, some houses are aligned directly with the pavement and have very little setback. External insulation may therefore be restricted by the urban configuration or appearance requirements. The project must assess solutions that are compatible with the façade, window reveals and continuity with the other building elements.
Grants and funding
Depending on the nature of the work, the property and the rules applying to the application, some measures may be eligible for MaPrimeRénov’, CEE (energy savings certificates), reduced VAT or the éco-PTZ (zero-interest eco-loan). The criteria vary between schemes and according to the techniques used. Some grants notably require minimum performance levels and the use of an RGE-certified professional for the relevant work.
Before finalising your programme, you can contact us to clarify the areas to be treated, the constraints of the building and how the work fits with any other improvements planned. The official conditions of the schemes and information on support pathways are also available on the France Rénov’ website.
How we work
Identifying the building elements
We identify the roof, façades, gables, floors, openings and party walls in order to distinguish their respective roles.
Assessing the substrates
The condition of the brickwork, render, ceilings, floors and existing elements is examined before defining a suitable technique.
Selecting priority areas
The different areas are prioritised according to their exposure, the configuration of the property and its practical constraints.
Defining the solutions
Materials and installation methods are adapted to each building element, taking account of moisture, airtightness and ventilation.
Coordinating the work
Junctions between the different areas and interactions with windows, services or equipment are incorporated into the organisation of the work.
Our other services in Nord
Treating the building envelope can form part of a broader project. Consult our pages on global energy renovation in Nord, heat pumps, thermodynamic water heaters and energy audits. You can also consult our department energy renovation page, the Hauts-de-France page, as well as our content for Lille and Dunkerque.
Frequently asked questions
Which walls should be treated first in a terraced house?
The front and rear façades, together with any exposed gables, are generally more exposed than party walls separating two heated homes. The roof and floors can also play an important role. Priority therefore depends on the actual configuration of the building rather than a single rule applying to every house.
Is internal insulation suitable for older brick walls?
It can be considered, but the composition, condition and exposure of the wall must first be assessed. Managing moisture and water vapour is particularly important with older masonry. The choice of system must also take account of junctions with floors, windows and internal partitions.
Do the windows need to be replaced at the same time as the walls?
Not necessarily, but both areas should be considered together where they meet. Work on a wall changes the reveals, junctions and sometimes the position of the windows. If the existing windows are retained, their perimeter airtightness and compatibility with the ventilation must be checked before the work begins.
Can a loft be insulated if it already contains older material?
Yes, but the condition of the existing material must first be checked. Insulation that is compressed, damp, discontinuous or covered with incompatible materials is not treated in the same way as a layer that remains in good condition. Access, roof ventilation and the possible presence of services are also considered before defining the work.
Let’s talk about your project
Tell us about your home and your goals: we help you prioritise the works and identify the grants worth looking into.