What is the Thin Internal Wall Insulation (TIWI) Scheme?

Having pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050, the government is exploring a number of ways to reduce our energy use as a nation. Wall insulation is one such method, which improves heat retention for buildings, meaning they need less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Unfortunately, this comes at a cost to space, with conventional internal wall insulation (IWI) being quite thick. That’s where the Thin Internal Wall Insulation (TIWI) scheme comes into play. Read on as we explore the world of wall insulation and how TIWI could change things for the better.

The problem with internal wall insulation

For anyone who isn’t familiar with wall insulation, it usually comprises insulation boards which then need to be skimmed over to provide a smooth, uniform finish. The problem is that the boards themselves are quite thick – with the Energy Saving Trust recommending boards that are between 60mm and 100mm in depth.

As a result, most people simply don’t want to have it installed in their home. That’s especially true for those in terraced houses or flats, which are already quite low on space. After all, adding 100mm of wall insulation to all four walls of a room means losing an entire square metre of space before any overskim is applied.

While internal wall insulation has been found to reduce annual energy bills by as much as £250, it’s simply not worth the compromise on space for some homeowners.

Introducing TIWI

To make internal wall insulation more appealing, and more practical for small spaces, the government are looking to provide grants for innovative companies to develop thin internal wall insulation (TIWI).

One potential way of doing so is with SprayCork. Corksol’s unique cork-based render can be applied to internal walls in two thin coats of just 3mm each. With a final 2mm overskim of plaster, the entire coating is just 8mm thick, so there’s no need to worry about eating away at a room’s space – or even adjusting fixtures and sockets.

The result is the same potential cost savings from lower energy bills without eating away at living space. Because it’s made using cork granules, it also provides impressive noise insulation, breathability and moisture-resistance.

Watch this space

At Corksol, we’re dedicated to improving buildings’ thermal performance through the natural power of cork. In October 2020, we were awarded £150,000 by Innovate UK, which is part of the government-sponsored UK Research and Innovation agency. The grant will help us continue to improve the thermal performance of our 8mm coating – in collaboration with Teesside University.

Our products are currently being tested for the TIWI scheme, with a result expected in the coming weeks. To find out more about SprayCork and how it can improve your home’s energy efficiency, don’t hesitate to contact the Corksol team on 01484 442420 or [email protected].