Walls that feel cold to the touch are a common reason a room never quite feels comfortable in winter, even when the heating is on. This tends to happen most often on external walls, where the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is greatest. When heat moves too easily through a wall, it escapes faster than the heating system can replace it.
In many UK homes, especially older properties, cavity wall insulation is either missing or no longer performing as it should. Without proper insulation, the wall itself becomes a cold surface that pulls warmth out of the room. This is why rooms with large external walls often feel cooler than others, even if the radiator is working normally. When a radiator is struggling to heat the space evenly, it can also help to check whether it’s performing properly, as explained here: Why Your Radiator Isn’t Getting Hot.
Solid walls behave in a similar way. Because there is no cavity to slow heat movement, warmth passes straight through the wall material. Unless insulation has been added internally or externally, the wall continues to absorb heat from the room, making the space feel colder for longer.
Once wall insulation is improved, the temperature in the room tends to stabilise. The heating doesn’t need to run as frequently, and the space feels more consistent rather than warming and cooling in cycles. If the room still feels cold overnight, it’s often linked to heat escaping elsewhere, which is covered in more detail here: Why Your Bedroom Is Freezing at Night.
For a broader look at reducing heat loss throughout the home, this guide explains the changes that usually have the biggest overall impact: How to Keep a UK Home Warm for Cheap (Complete Guide).
