Is it worth insulating your loft?

Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is an effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills. Installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its 40-year lifetime.

Which loft insulation is best?

The most common form of loft insulation, this comes in rolls of rock, glass or mineral fibre (we use Earthwool by Knauf which is a really good environmentally friendly option), or else foil-backed felt. It’s generally the cheapest option and good all-purpose insulation, especially for between joists.

Can a loft be over insulated?

As long as you ventilate your property properly, you can have as much insulation as you like within reason. The trick with loft insulation is to balance the amount of insulation you have with the amount of ventilation necessary to prevent damp. As long as you get that balance right, you should be fine.

Do loft boards improve insulation?

Boarding provides extra thermal insulation for your roof space. Some panels are insulated, others can be laid over existing insulation increasing its efficiency. Considering that up to 30% of the heat loss from a house happens through the roof, anything that shaves even part from that number is a good idea.

Can lack of loft insulation cause condensation?

This is especially the case if there are gaps in the insulation that allow some warm moisture laden air from below to make its way into the loft area. This warm air rapidly cools in the cold loft, and hey presto – condensation!

What kind of insulation should I put in my loft?

– Put 100mm glass insulation in between the joists, Knauf Earthwool is nice stuff, not itchy. Then board over. – Put another set of PIR/Celotex like insulation in between the roof rafters, leaving 50mm air gap behind. I put 70mm deep. Cover over with airtec double or similar, acts as a Vapour Control Layer.

Why do I have condensation in my loft?

This means the air can hold more moisture. The warm air holding the moisture then rises to the loft where it is cold, causing condensation. The condensation accumulated in the loft is usually due to no vapour barriers being fitted and having little / no ventilation. If you want a warm, dry loft space, then the insulation needs to go at the top.

What kind of insulation to use on raked ceilings?

Raked ceilings are commonly overlooked when it comes to insulation which is a problem because all that separates you from the outside is a 100mm rafter and a few tiles! Foam board insulation (celotex, kingspan, quintherm etc) is used both between AND across the rafter then plasterboard and skim.

Is it better to insulate above or below the rafters?

correct. Unless you are prepared to put up with the bulk of 125mm+ of insulation below the rafters, then insulating betwixt as well as beneath is the only way. The uninsulated area where the plaster is attachesd directly to the rafters will have a “U” value of no less than 2.5 about 10 times that of the latest regs.

What kind of insulation do you need for a loft?

The different types of loft insulation. 1 Blanket insulation. A loft that hasn’t been touched for decades might have blanket insulation in between the joists – though a very inadequate amount. 2 Loose-fill insulation. 3 Blown-fibre insulation. 4 Sheet insulation.

When do I need to check my loft insulation?

Do check your home’s current insulation, especially if your property is over ten years old. There is a fair possibility that your home requires new loft insulation and could benefit from superior Icynene spray foam insulation.

How much energy does loft insulation save you?

This ends up costing you in high energy bills, and by having THE RIGHT loft insulation, you could save up to* 50% on your energy charges each year. So, what is loft insulation?

Can you use spray foam insulation in lofts?

By using spray foam insulation for your lofts, you can save up to* 50% on your energy cost. Icynene Spray Foam Insulation is typically sprayed in lofts at the rafter or joist level. It very well may be used in tight or compact spaces as it expands 100x to fit on the application.