More of the heat you pay for stays in
Better fabric performance means the heating system is replacing less loss and running less hard.
Insulation in ShetlandWarmer, Drier PropertyImprovement Work
Keep more of the heat you are already paying for, in a climate that takes it straight back out, insulation carried out as part of proper property improvement work, not as a bolt-on.
17 years' property experience · Lerwick-based team · Free, no-obligation estimate
17 years' experience
In Shetland property
Shetland & Orkney
Lerwick-based team
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Local office hours
Rated on Google
Read our reviews
Overview
What insulation involves
We carry out insulation work as part of wider property improvement and maintenance projects: improving how a building holds heat while the related repair, joinery and finishing work is being done by the same team.
That matters, because insulation is rarely a standalone task. It sits alongside ventilation, timber condition, roof and gutter performance and the general fabric of the building, and doing one without considering the others causes problems rather than solving them.
Because we maintain and repair property as well, we are looking at the whole picture: where heat is escaping, where moisture is getting in, and what order the work should happen in.
Why professional work matters here
Insulating without thinking about ventilation and moisture is the classic way to create condensation, mould and hidden decay in a building that was previously merely cold.
Coverage and continuity decide the result. Gaps, compressed material and unsealed edges give away much of the benefit that was paid for.
As a maintenance team, we can deal with the water ingress, rot or roof defect that has to be resolved before insulation makes any sense at all.
Who it is for
- Homeowners with a cold property and heating bills that never seem to buy much warmth
- Landlords improving the comfort and running costs of a let property
- Owners already carrying out repair, roofing or joinery work who want insulation done at the same time
- Anyone dealing with cold rooms, cold surfaces or condensation problems
When it is needed
- Rooms that are cold, draughty or expensive to heat
- Condensation, cold spots or damp on internal surfaces
- During refurbishment, roofing or joinery work when the fabric is already open
- When an older property has thin, displaced or degraded existing insulation
- As part of a planned programme of property improvement
What It Costs To Ignore
What happens if it is left
Heat loss in this climate is relentless. Wind does not just make a building feel colder; it physically drives heat out through gaps, and an exposed island property loses warmth continuously through the fabric in a way that a sheltered mainland house does not.
The cost lands twice. There is the fuel you burn to replace the heat, and there is the consequence of cold surfaces inside the building: condensation, mould growth, spoiled decoration and, over time, damp affecting the fabric itself.
The bigger risk is insulating badly. Poorly installed insulation traps moisture against cold timber and masonry, and the resulting decay happens quietly, out of sight, until something structural is affected. Cold and dry is a problem; cold, sealed and wet is a much worse one.
Common mistakes we are called out to
- Blocking ventilation paths while insulating, creating condensation in the roof space or wall
- Leaving gaps, compression or unsealed edges so the insulation underperforms from day one
- Insulating over existing damp, rot or water ingress instead of fixing the cause first
- Choosing a material that does not suit the construction of the building
- Ignoring the easy wins: loft hatch, draught paths, pipework and service penetrations
Our Process
How we carry out insulation
Step 01
Inspection
We look at the construction, the existing insulation, the ventilation and any signs of damp or timber decay before recommending anything.
Step 02
Diagnosis and clear pricing
You get a straight explanation of where heat is being lost, what is worth doing, and a clear price for the work.
Step 03
Making good first
Any water ingress, failed drainage or decayed timber is dealt with before insulation goes in. Insulating over a problem hides it.
Step 04
Installation
Material is installed to full coverage with attention to continuity, ventilation paths and the edges and junctions where performance is usually lost.
Step 05
Checking the detail
We check coverage, confirm ventilation is maintained and deal with the gaps, hatches and penetrations that undermine the result.
Step 06
Completion
Site cleared, waste removed, and a clear account of what was installed and where.
Benefits
What you actually get out of it
Warmer surfaces, less condensation
Raising internal surface temperatures is one of the most effective ways to reduce condensation and the mould that follows it.
Ventilation respected
Airflow paths are kept clear, so improving the insulation does not create a moisture problem in the roof or wall.
Problems fixed first
Damp, rot and water ingress are resolved before anything is covered up.
Done alongside other work
Most efficient when combined with joinery, roofing or refurbishment: one team, one visit, one price.
More comfortable to live in
Fewer cold spots and draughts, and rooms that hold their temperature after the heating goes off.
In Detail
Insulation, methods, materials and situations
Where insulation work applies
- Loft and roof space insulation, including topping up thin or displaced material
- Insulation carried out during roofing or refurbishment while the structure is open
- Timber-framed and stud construction as part of internal improvement work
- Floors, where access allows and heat loss is significant
- Pipework, tanks and services in unheated spaces
- Draught-proofing, hatches, service penetrations and junction detail
Insulation and ventilation together
Every building needs to get rid of moisture. Cooking, washing and simply breathing all put water vapour into the air, and if that vapour reaches a cold surface it condenses.
Insulation raises surface temperatures, which helps, but only if ventilation paths are maintained. Blocking eaves ventilation while laying loft insulation is a classic error that produces condensation, damp timber and eventually decay in a roof space that was fine before.
We plan the two together, which is the only way it works in a climate this damp.
Older island construction
Traditional stone and solid-wall properties do not behave like modern cavity construction. They need to move moisture through the fabric, and approaches that suit a modern build can trap water in a way a traditional wall was never designed for.
That is why we assess the construction before recommending a specification, and why we are cautious about applying a standard solution to a building that is anything but standard.
Doing it alongside other work
The most cost-effective time to insulate is when something is already open: during roofing work, a joinery project, or refurbishment of a room or a whole property.
Because our own team handles joinery, roofing and maintenance, that sequencing is straightforward: the roof defect is repaired, the timber is made good, the insulation goes in, and the finishing work follows without three different trades negotiating dates.
Residential and let property
For homeowners, the driver is usually comfort and running cost, plus getting rid of persistent cold spots and condensation.
For landlords, improving the fabric reduces tenant complaints about heating costs and condensation, and protects the building from the damage those conditions cause. We can plan work around tenancies or into a void period.
The order the work should happen in
Sequence matters more with insulation than with almost anything else. Water ingress is fixed first, then decayed timber, then ventilation is confirmed, then insulation goes in, and finishing work follows.
Done in that order, the improvement lasts and nothing is hidden behind new material. Done in the wrong order, you pay twice, once for the insulation and again to take it out when the underlying problem surfaces.
Where We Work
Insulation across Shetland and Orkney
We are based on Commercial Street in Lerwick and travel across both island groups for cleaning and maintenance work.
Shetland
- Lerwick (base)
- Scalloway
- Brae
- Sandwick
- Whalsay
- Bressay
Orkney
- Kirkwall
- Stromness
- St Margaret's Hope
More detail on the areas we cover is on the homepage areas section.
Questions
Insulation: the things people ask first
How much does insulation work cost?
It depends entirely on the property, the area involved, the construction and what needs doing first. We assess it and give you a clear price for the work: free, with no obligation.
How long does the work take?
A straightforward loft can be quick; insulation as part of a larger refurbishment runs with that programme. We tell you the expected duration when we price it.
Will insulation stop condensation?
It helps considerably, because warmer surfaces condense less moisture. But it has to go hand in hand with adequate ventilation: insulation alone, with airflow blocked, can make condensation worse.
Do you do insulation as a standalone job?
We carry out insulation as part of wider property improvement and maintenance work. Tell us what you need and we will be clear about whether it is something we can take on for your property.
Can you insulate an older stone property?
Older solid-wall construction needs to be treated on its own terms, so we assess the building first and are honest about what is appropriate rather than applying a standard modern solution.
What if there is damp or rot where the insulation needs to go?
That gets fixed first. Insulating over damp timber or an active leak hides a problem that then gets worse out of sight, and our team can carry out the repair as part of the same job.
Will it reduce my heating bills?
Reducing heat loss means your heating works less hard to hold the same temperature. The scale of the saving depends on the property, the existing insulation and how you heat it, and we will not quote you an invented figure.
Do you work across Orkney?
Yes. We cover the Shetland Islands and Orkney from our base at 68 Commercial Street, Lerwick.
Can this be combined with roofing or joinery work?
Yes, and it usually should be. Doing insulation while the structure is open and access is set up is the most efficient way to get it done.
Related Work
Other work the same team handles
Free Estimate
Make the property warmer and drier
Tell us about the building and where it feels cold. We will look at the fabric and the ventilation together and give you a clear price for the work that is actually worth doing.
property@arthurandsimpson.com
68 Commercial Street, Lerwick, Shetland ZE2 9EZ
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm · Closed Sat & Sun
17 years' property experience · Lerwick-based team · Free, no-obligation estimates