EPS beads insulation - Bungalow conversion

[richo106]

Hi

 

Our project is finally underway and we are keeping majority of the downstairs walls of our existing bungalow which we are converting to a house.

 

The existing cavity will be open (before second floor goes on), it has some blown insulation in but it looks quite sporadic. My idea (could be a daft one) was to push all the existing blown fibre insulation down into the cavity the best I can and then pour in some EPS beads to fill the cavity 

 

Is this ok? Any other ideas? 
 

Can I buy just any EPS beads? 
 

Any advice/ideas greatly appreciated 

[Radian]

I wouldn't push it down. The insulating properties come from the air held in amongst the fibers. Squishing it means you're just creating a thermal bridge. One that is also going down to join the mess of snots and water at the bottom of the cavity. Perhaps you could vacuum it out? Would need to be a pretty powerful one though.

[PeterW]

Has to be removed - a lot of the bead installers can do this prior to installing new beads and if the cavity is open it is even easier. 

[richo106]

14 minutes ago, PeterW said:

Has to be removed - a lot of the bead installers can do this prior to installing new beads and if the cavity is open it is even easier. 

Would be worthwhile getting it removed or just leaving it as it is? And maybe just pour some beads on top without squashing the blown insulation?

 

would getting the old stuff removed and new EPS make a big difference in insulation wise? 

[PeterW]

There will be huge gaps - what is the spec for the walls in the plans to meet BRegs..? You can’t just pour beads in, they are sprayed in with a glue binder so they don’t move or settle. Get a quote to have it done properly. 

[richo106]

I am planning to install 50mm insulation backed plasterboard on the inside and BC was happy with this along with the blown insulation. But I would like to improve it where I can

[richo106]

Thanks for all the replies/advice. I have had a quote to remove the old stuff and inject it will new eps beads

 

http://polypearl.co.uk/cavity-wall-insulation/

 

has anyone got any experience with these?

 

thanks again 

[Temp]

From what I've heard the grey coated eps systems like that Polypearl make is the best technology to go for. The coating sticks the beads together no/less risk of them all pouring out of a hole or slumping.

 

In the end the quality of the job will be down to the installer and I don't know if Polypearl make and install or just make the stuff and use contractors to install?