Solid wall insulation · Scotland
Solid wall insulation in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Planning solid wall insulation anywhere in Edinburgh and the Lothians? We cover towns including Edinburgh and Livingston, and check planning and building control for each address. On solid-walled houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians, the gable or the most weather-exposed wall is often the place to start.
- Free survey and fixed written price
- Guide price from £75 per m² + scaffold, 0% VAT
- Planning and building control checked for Scotland
Free survey in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
What's included
- Solid walls can lose heat roughly twice as fast as an insulated cavity wall
- Internal insulation suits single rooms or where the outside can't change
- Breathable options for stone and lime-mortared walls
- Both can be done in stages, elevation by elevation or room by room
- External insulation keeps room sizes and treats cold bridges well
Local considerations in Edinburgh and the Lothians
East Central Scotland mixes stone tenements and terraces with post-war council housing and harled bungalows and semis.
Exposure to wind-driven rain varies across Edinburgh and the Lothians: sheltered town streets fare better than walls on high ground or facing the prevailing weather, and the render, beads and cill details are chosen with that in mind.
On solid-walled houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians, the gable or the most weather-exposed wall is often the place to start.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Region
- East Central Scotland
- Towns covered
- Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate
- Guide price
- From £75 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Scotland: planning and regulations
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent. Ask your council's planning team before committing.
Work that alters an external wall's construction is covered by the building standards system; many over-cladding projects need a building warrant from the council's building standards team, and Section 6 (Energy) of the Technical Handbooks sets insulation benchmarks.
External or internal — which is better?
External insulation keeps the wall warm, reduces cold bridging at floors and party walls, renews the outside, and doesn't shrink rooms — but it changes the look and needs scaffolding. Internal insulation keeps the façade unchanged and can be done room by room, but loses 50–100mm of floor space per wall and needs careful detailing to avoid condensation at joists and corners.
Solid wall insulation prices in Edinburgh and the Lothians
| Item | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| External (EWI) | £105–£210 per m²0% VAT | By board and finish |
| Internal (IWI) | £75–£130 per m²0% VAT | Plus making good |
| Survey and written recommendation | Free with a quote |
Confirmed by a fixed written quote after survey. 0% VAT: installing insulation in a home is zero-rated until 31 March 2027, so these figures are the total; 5% applies from 1 April 2027.
How it works
Tell us about the property
Use the quote tool or form, or call. Photos help.
Free survey
We measure, check the walls and confirm approvals.
Fixed written quote
System, details, access, exclusions and VAT in writing.
Installation
Scheduled for suitable weather, with a clear programme.
Solid wall insulation in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
Can I do one wall at a time?
Yes. Many owners start with the coldest or most exposed elevation, often a gable end.
Does solid wall insulation cause condensation?
It can if detailed poorly, particularly internally. A condensation risk check for the proposed build-up and careful detailing at joists, reveals and corners avoid it.
Is solid wall insulation worth it?
For many solid-walled homes it's one of the biggest single improvements to comfort, because the walls are often the largest heat-loss area. Savings depend on the home and heating, so we don't promise a figure.
Do you cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Yes. We survey and quote solid wall insulation across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate.
Do I need planning permission in Scotland?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. We check your address before quoting.