cutting plasterboard for insulation retrofit, worth the effort?

[sundancewfs]

I'm thinking of retrofitting Tontine polyester wall batts to our brick venneer, cement tiled home. The plasterboard on the external walls is the foil backed type. We are going to fit R5 batts to the ceiling and R3 underfloor, as well as double glazed windows. any thoughts?

[rod@plasterbrok]

You will be very well insulated!
I am not 100% certain but the foil will give you a 1.5 rating. Very unusual to see foil backed board in standard housing.

Cheers Rod

[sundancewfs]

I must admit I was a bit suprised to see the foil-board too... I was thinking of cutting a 250mm strip out of the wallboard at 4' high (nogging height) and then feeding batts up and down into the wall cavity, but Now I'm thinking I will leave it because of the foil.

[Bloss]

You can get blown in fibreglass wall insulation that works well. Hard to DYI of course, but since you are able to DYI the rest maybe get quote for the walls.

There are polyurethane foam wall insulation systems too, but these tend to be a little more expensive and not always available outside capitals.

[sundancewfs]

I have heard of the blow in stuff, I think they do styrene balls also ... or something like it. the price is a bit steep though.