🧱 Solid Wall vs Cavity Wall: What’s the Difference & Why It Matters for Insulation
- Riverstone Real
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
When it comes to improving your home’s energy efficiency, one of the first things to understand is what type of walls your property has. The two most common types in the UK are solid walls and cavity walls, and knowing which one your home has can make a big difference when it comes to insulation and energy savings.
🔹 What Is a Solid Wall?
A solid brick wall is typically found in older homes built before the 1930s. You can recognise them by their brick pattern: the bricks are laid in an alternating pattern, where you’ll see both the long side (called a stretcher) and the short end (called a header) of the bricks.
Key characteristics:
No gap or cavity inside the wall.
Around 9 inches (230mm) thick.
More prone to heat loss, as there’s no insulating air gap.
Often in homes with older architecture and period features.
🔸 What Is a Cavity Wall?
Cavity walls became the norm for homes built after the 1930s. They consist of two layers (or “skins”) of brick with a gap (cavity) in between. This air space helps reduce heat loss and can be filled with insulating material for extra efficiency.
Key characteristics:
Bricks are laid so only the long sides (stretchers) are visible.
Typically more energy efficient than solid walls.
The cavity can be filled with insulation to further reduce heat loss.
🧾 How to Check Your Wall Type:
✅ Look at the brick pattern – alternating headers and stretchers usually indicate a solid wall.
✅ Measure wall thickness – around 9 inches suggests a solid wall, while 11–12 inches could indicate a cavity wall.
✅ Check your property’s age – homes built before 1930 are more likely to have solid walls.
💡 Why it matters:
Solid walls lose more heat and are a key area for eco-friendly insulation upgrades. Solid or Cavity wall insulation are funded through Government grants like ECO4, GBIS, FLEX.
💬 Want to Know if You Qualify?
At Energius Ltd, we help homeowners, tenants, and landlords all across the UK access free insulation and heating upgrades through schemes like ECO4 and GBIS.
Whether you have a solid or cavity wall, we’ll assess your eligibility and guide you every step of the way.
Please click: Apply Now or email: info@energius.co.uk
