Ceilings and floors

There are several important sustainability considerations to keep in mind when preparing to build or renovate a ceiling. These include: 

• Using sustainable building materials - use eco-friendly, sustainable building materials for construction of your ceiling where possible. These might include cork tiles, bamboo panels, wood wool boards or hempcrete blocks. 
• Insulation - you should prioritise the use of high-quality insulation materials to help improve thermal efficiency of your ceiling. Proper insulation helps retain heat, helping you to save energy. You can find more information here.¹ 
• Optimise natural light – make use of skylights or light wells in ceiling design where possible to maximise natural light and help save energy. 

There are also some similar sustainability points to consider when installing or renovating a floor, including: 

• Choosing sustainable materials - you can opt for flooring materials that have a low environmental impact such as bamboo, cork, reclaimed wood or recycled tiles. There are many options for sustainable flooring currently available on the market, with eco-conscious companies helping to build the circular economy, re-using and re-purposing materials. 
• You can get a good idea about sustainable building materials by checking if materials have been certified by regulatory bodies such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC²) for wood specifically.  
• Insulation – you should ensure the floor is adequately insulated to prevent heat loss and improve energy efficiency. 

Remember, it's important to talk about the sustainability, durability, and longevity of your ceiling or floor with the tradespeople involved in the project. Find a trusted trade professional using our online tool.³ Also, ensure that project waste is recycled or reused whenever possible.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/energy-saving/floor-insulation
2. https://uk.fsc.org/
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional