Insulation in Somme (80)
Insulation in Somme (80) must take account of a housing stock where brick, solid walls, older lofts and rural homes are widespread. The work is not simply a matter of adding insulation material: the construction of the building elements, their exposure, their condition and their behaviour in relation to moisture all need to be understood. A terraced house in Amiens does not have the same requirements as a longhouse exposed to the wind. The priority is therefore to identify where the main heat losses occur and which solutions remain compatible with the building.
Tip: have your energy performance certificate (DPE) and energy bills to hand for a more accurate estimate.
Why insulate in Somme
Many older homes have brick walls built without an insulating layer, while some lofts contain materials whose thickness or condition no longer meets current needs. In rural housing, more exposed façades and larger volumes further increase heat exchange with the outside. The order of the work should therefore depend on the specific characteristics of the property rather than on the same standard approach being applied everywhere.
Moisture is another point requiring particular attention in Somme. A façade exposed to rain, rising damp from the ground or indoor condensation can affect a wall in very different ways. Installing insulation without first identifying the source of moisture may trap the problem or alter the movement of water vapour. Ventilation and the condition of the substrate should therefore be assessed alongside the thermal performance being sought.
What insulation includes
Assessment of existing building elements
An insulation project begins with an assessment of the walls, roof, loft, floors and openings. The nature of the materials, their thickness, their condition and any existing layers help explain how the building behaves. This assessment is particularly useful for reconstructed properties, where the actual wall build-up cannot always be determined from the exterior appearance.
Loft and roof insulation
Lofts are often an area to check first, especially where older insulation has settled, shifted or become uneven in thickness. The choice depends on how the space is used, its accessibility and the roof structure. Particular attention should also be paid to the continuity of the insulation and to service penetrations that can create weaker areas.
Wall insulation
Solid brick walls require an approach compatible with their moisture behaviour. Depending on the building, insulation may be considered internally or externally, subject to technical and architectural constraints. Junctions with floors, windows and internal walls also need to be taken into account to limit breaks in continuity that may create cold spots.
Ground-floor insulation
A floor above a cellar, basement or unheated space can contribute to heat loss and create a sensation of cold underfoot. The solution depends on the existing structure, access from below and the condition of the substrate. In older buildings, the presence of moisture or sensitive materials makes it necessary to check compatibility before any insulation is installed.
Airtightness and ventilation
Reducing uncontrolled air leakage changes the way air moves through the property. Ventilation should therefore accompany improvements to the building envelope. The aim is not to make the building airtight without control, but to limit unwanted draughts while ensuring that moisture generated by occupants, cooking and bathrooms can still be removed effectively.
Typical situations in Somme
Terraced brick town house
Party walls are less directly exposed, while the front and rear façades, roof and sometimes the ground floor remain more subject to temperature changes. Work can therefore begin with the areas genuinely exposed to the outside, while monitoring junctions around openings and any signs of moisture on older walls.
Longhouse exposed in the countryside
An elongated property may have large roof and façade areas exposed to the wind. The loft, external walls and floors may therefore represent several possible areas to compare. Before setting priorities, the condition of the materials needs to be checked and thermal weaknesses distinguished from problems caused by water penetration or rising damp.
House built or reconstructed after the war
The materials and construction methods used varied from one project to another. A similar façade does not therefore guarantee an identical structure. The project should be based on observation of the building elements and, where necessary, further investigation to avoid selecting a technique solely on the basis of the property’s presumed age.
Grants and funding
Depending on the work selected and the conditions applying to the property and household, insulation may be eligible for MaPrimeRénov’, CEE (energy savings certificates), reduced VAT or éco-PTZ (zero-interest eco-loan). Some schemes require the use of an RGE-certified professional for the categories of work concerned. The criteria should be checked before signing commitments relating to the funded work.
You can contact us to present the characteristics of the property and the areas you are considering insulating. The official conditions of public schemes, procedures and requirements relating to contractors can also be consulted on France Rénov’. The technical choice should remain the priority so that funding supports a solution suited to the building.
How we work
Identifying sensitive areas
We assess the loft, walls, floors, windows and the main junctions between building elements.
Checking the condition of substrates
Signs of moisture, damage, older materials and visible defects are taken into account before any covering is planned.
Setting priorities
The areas to be treated are prioritised according to their exposure, condition and influence on the thermal behaviour of the property.
Defining the solution
The chosen technique must remain compatible with the construction of the building elements, the constraints of the property and air renewal.
Coordinating the work
The interventions are organised to preserve continuity between the different areas and limit breaks at junctions.
Our other services in Somme
Improving the building envelope can form part of a global energy renovation in Somme, accompany the installation of a heat pump in Somme, be combined with a thermodynamic water heater in Somme or be defined following an energy audit in Somme. You can also consult the page dedicated to energy renovation in Somme, our overview of Hauts-de-France and information on energy renovation in Amiens.
Frequently asked questions
Can a damp brick wall be insulated directly?
It is preferable to identify the source of the moisture first. Water penetration, rising damp and condensation do not require the same corrective measures. Covering the wall immediately may conceal the problem or interfere with drying. The condition of the wall should therefore be assessed before choosing the insulation system.
How can you tell whether old loft insulation needs replacing?
Its thickness alone is not enough to assess its condition. Its distribution, settlement, displaced areas, service penetrations and any signs of moisture should also be checked. Older insulation may still appear to be present while containing gaps that reduce the effectiveness of the overall layer.
Is internal insulation suitable for Picard brick houses?
It can be considered in some properties, but the answer depends on the condition of the wall, its exposure and its behaviour in relation to moisture. The choice of materials and management of water vapour must be compatible with the existing structure. A single solution cannot therefore be applied to every house.
Should ventilation be changed after insulation work?
Ventilation should at least be checked when the work reduces uncontrolled air leakage. A more airtight property releases less moisture through natural draughts. Air renewal must therefore remain sufficient and suited to the occupied rooms in order to limit condensation and preserve the way the building functions.
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.