A practical guide to floor insulation for your home

Floors – particularly those on the ground level – are a major source of heat loss in many homes. Without insulation, warmth escapes, cold air seeps in, and your heating system works harder than it needs to. Proper floor insulation helps keep heat indoors, reduces draughts, and makes your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

If you have rooms above unheated spaces like garages or cellars, insulating the floors above them can also prevent unnecessary heat loss.

Why insulate your floors?

Uninsulated floors are especially common in older homes across Oxfordshire – particularly those with suspended timber floorboards. These allow cold air to pass through gaps, leaving floors chilly and heating bills unnecessarily high.

Installing floor insulation is a practical and effective way to improve comfort, reduce your energy bills, and cut your home’s carbon emissions. It’s one of the less disruptive energy upgrades, yet it can make a noticeable difference to how your home feels.

Types of floor insulation

If your home has a solid concrete ground floor – common in newer properties – insulation can be added using rigid boards laid on top of the existing floor. It’s an ideal approach when planning other work such as replacing flooring. Internal insulation beneath the concrete is possible too, though it’s much more invasive and best reserved for major renovations.

Older properties are more likely to have suspended timber floors. You can usually identify these by looking for air bricks or ventilation grilles at the base of exterior walls. These vents are essential – they allow airflow under the floor, helping to prevent damp and protect against rot. For that reason, they should never be blocked.

To insulate a suspended timber floor properly, the floorboards need to be lifted and insulation laid between the joists. This is a job best left to an experienced professional. If you work with Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, we’ll connect you with trusted local contractors and manage the process – giving you peace of mind that the work is done well.

Sealing any visible gaps between your floor and skirting boards can also help reduce draughts and further improve comfort.

Costs and savings

According to the Energy Saving Trust, insulating under the floorboards on the ground floor could save around £70 per year in Great Britain, depending on your home’s size and heating system. While exact installation costs can vary, estimates suggest a range of £520 to £1,300.

The potential annual savings from floor insulation are:

While the upfront cost depends on your home, the long-term energy savings – alongside improved comfort and lower emissions – make it a worthwhile investment.

Getting started

Adding floor insulation is a sensible step in making your home more efficient, comfortable, and future-ready. Whether you’re planning a full retrofit or looking for quick wins, we can help.

Not sure where to begin? Call our team on 0330 223 2742 (Monday to Friday) or message us today!