Use our expert advice to help you choose the right type of loft insulation for your home and budget. It is available in rolls of foil-backed felt, rock, glass or mineral fibre. Please try to take 2 photos of the hatch area from below at different angles and if possible another from above the hatch. Before you head off to buy your insulation there are a few things that you should quickly check: Now you are ready to go and get your insulation and anything else you need. Find out how much you should expect to pay for loft insulation, and how long it takes to pay for itself, in our guide to loft insulation costs and savings. Well need you to send us photos of the outside of your house, around your loft hatch and inside your loft. PLEASE ENSURE YOUR SAFETY AT ALL TIMES. A far wider range of uses is possible for a warm loft, but the process of insulating the rafters (the underside of the roof) is harder and more expensive than installing insulation between the joists. Since everyones energy bills have climbed dramatically in 2022 its now more important than ever to insulate your home properly. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. This will have the effect of collapsing the tiny gaps between the fibres which trap the heat and it soon becomes useless as the heat can pass straight through it. You might as well have used a smaller amount! It is the most commonly used and it is recommended for a DIY fit. Ideal for insulating areas where access is difficult. If youre ready for a quote just give us a call on 0800 6128 933 or leave your contact details and well. These are the maximum length and width of your loft opening also referred to as loft hatch dimensions. Fact. The most environmentally friendly types are made of recycled newspaper. Loft insulation can save you hundreds of pounds in heating bills a year - and it might help save the planet too. Sheet insulation is made from natural or synthetic materials such as paper, bitumen, glass fleece, or plasterboard. There are two way that these can be insulated: There are a range of materials and methods for insulating a warm roof, but with the exception of spray foam there needs to be an air gap between the roof tiles to reduce condensation. We have talked several times about the importance of proper insulation, including loft insulation, so now it's time to move on to some more practical issues.Namely, the first step that includes learning about different types of insulation available and choosing the most adequate one should always be followed by proper insulation. . Area (in sq m) x (1 0.1)8.3 sq m= No rolls of 100mm mineral wool required. If youre laying insulation between the joists, the roof space will become extremely cold in winter. However, it's interesting to know that although it was sold in United Kingdom, the material used in the product was extracted from a mine in Montana, USA. This means it should pay for itself many times over in energy bill savings, as the cost of loft insulation is comparatively low. To help you, the average living room size in a 3 bedroom UK house is 17.1m2. On the downside they are irritants, or the non-irritating varieties are more expensive. One of the top synthetic insulators in the business, when it comes down to it, aside from all its functional bells and whistles, Primaloft boasts a substantial punch of warmth when worn. Well ask you to make some measurements of the hatch and the height of your ceiling. It is also non-flammable and resistant to mold and mildew, making it a safe choice for . Air is an excellent insulator so the more air (the thicker the layer of air) that you can trap the more insulating it will be. But it leaves the loft subject to temperature fluctuations and condensation. Used as top-up materials or simply on their own, loose-fill and blown-in insulations are comprised of lightweight, loose fibres that are spread freely into place. You can have more if you want! Fast Delivery. Greener insulation options include recycled paper or wool. from 67.97 incl VAT. If you're insulating the rafters to create a warm room, there's no need to worry. In this post, well explore the different types of loft insulation and which we think is the most effective. Possibility 1: Insulate attic floor Insulating the loft floor is the most appropriate option in order to reduce heating costs. The foam expands quickly to fill gaps and hardens into a dense blanket. Yes. As long as: For anything more complicated than this, its best to bring in a professional installer who knows how to insulate a loft in the most effective way. The main downside is it isnt very secure and can be really messy! Below, we'll break down what types are available and what their main properties are. Exposure to cold, dampness, compression, dust, nesting birds, insects, rodents, and . This is to prevent burst pipes, damage from the cold, and other costly repairs. Browse Our Extensive Range of Loft Insulation Roll. Was this post useful? If youre installing your own insulation, its important to be aware of the building regulations surrounding the process. Insulating it from below can cause condensation problems.You can read more about this in our roof insulation guide. Can be irritating make sure you wear gloves when you install it! If youre installing insulation yourself, youll need to know how much insulating material youre going to need. Greener sheet loft insulation options include cork, straw and wood board. The average return on investment is worth the attic insulation costs. EnergyLink are able to help with grants for the following types of Loft/Roof Insulation: Loft Insulation If your home has a traditional loft space accessed by a small hatch, the floor of the loft should be insulated to a depth of 270mm (11 inches). Use 100mm thick rolls which have a coverage of 8.3 m2. Remember to look for the R-value, which is the measurement of how well an insulating material resists heat flow. Hes super passionate about lofts (some would say obsessed but each to their own, right?). Improving your homes EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) from band G to E, or from band D to B, could mean adding more than 16,000 to its sale price (again, on average). Insulating between the joists means your attic or loft will become colder, and so its possible it could cause damp. This has the effect of trapping the warm air in the loft space, rather than stopping it get into the loft space, hence warm roof, The floor area of your loft (Length x Width), The depth of insulation that you already have. file size: 8 MB, Max. Folding ladders will also need a minimum swing clearance. An insulation specialist will be able to tell you which is best for your loft. There are diminishing returns for adding more and more insulation so the guidelines therefore dont suggest adding greater depths as the returns (or savings) dont justify it. It can either be laid between the joists (the horizontal beams along the floor of your attic) or the rafters (the angled beams that support the roof). Lightweight and shiny - vermiculite insulation is one of the common types of attic insulation in old houses in United Kingdom. 2. Loft roll, given time, will settle and become thinner. Loft insulation lasts for a very long time. This means that some heat can get into the loft and regulate its temperature, but is prevented from escaping through the roof. Some boards come with their own system of attachment. Whether you need attic insulation, crawl space insulation or office building wall insulation, there is a material that works for your project. If the window surfaces are relatively large, the energy saving will increase. Firm boards of either synthetic or natural materials, this is the best solution for insulating the underside of your roof. We describe how to you go about insulating your loft here if you want to jump straight there, but in this project we help you to choose the right type of insulation for your needs and work out how much of it you need. You will also find that your home is more comfortable; warmer in winter and cooler in summer, maintaining a stable temperature for longer. Its significantly more expensive than other types of insulation, and on top of that the environmental cost of producing it is pretty steep, too. The first layer is laid between the joists - the horizontal beams that make up the floor of the loft - then another layer is laid at right angles to cover the joists and make the insulation up to the required depth. Find out how to fit blanket loft insulation. Come on over to our ultimate guide to loft insulation. When most people hear the words loft insulation, the version they probably picture is batt or blanket insulation - rolls and rolls of thick, fluffy stuff (mineral wool) laid carefully down in between the joists. The table below shows the savings that can be made with proper loft insulation. This table shows the benefits of increasing your loft insulation thickness from 0mm up to 270mm. Check out our hand-crafted guides which cover everything you will ever need to know about lofts! Up to a quarter of a homes heat can be lost through an uninsulated loft1. The table is based on a standard roll size of 1.14 metres wide by 5.68 metres long, and with a thickness of 170 mm. A fair proportion of our customers are DIYers, and fit products like Loft Legs, Loft Ledges and Loft Lights themselves. It provides a white finish and a smooth, clean, interior appearance. Typical R-value of about 3.2 per inch. The yarn is formed into a fibrous matting which commonly comes in large rolls, or batts, before its rolled into the space between loft joists. It is slightly more insulating than Rock wool insulation for its weight but not enough to worry about. High insulating value per unit thickness. This is the cheapest and most common form of loft insulation, and typically comes in rolls of rock, glass, mineral fibre, or encapsulated in foil. When making your decision, there are a number of factors you need to consider. Must be fitted by a professional, which will add to installation cost, In locations with extreme changes in temperature, it can shrink (this shouldnt be a concern in the UK), Theres a slight chance that the toxic gas thats emitted when some foam is curing could remain if the foam isnt mixed by a professional, There are many types of spray foam, and some contain nasty chemicals avoid those containing formaldehyde, HCFC, CFC or HFA. Spray foam can only be installed by a professional, wholl mix the product once on site at your home. This means it could take less than a year to pay for itself, thanks to lower energy bills. Deans been treading the boards (loft boards that is) for 20 years and counting, so if theres something about lofts that this man doesnt know about, then trust us, it aint worth knowing! 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. Firstly, because you will save money as your heating will become more efficient as you are not loosing so much heat through the loft. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We thought you might find one of our popular loft guides helpful. Contents [ hide] Therefore it can be an expensive option, but it can be ideal for topping up insulation in hard-to-reach places within your loft. All project content written and produced by Mike Edwards, founder of DIY Doctor and industry expert in building technology. View Map. Sheeps wool is a more expensive insulation option. Remember to look for the R-value, which is the measurement of how well an insulating material resists heat flow. Spray Foam Insulation. Loft insulation is an easy way to stop that heat loss, cutting your carbon footprint and making savings on your bills in the process! When most people hear the words loft insulation, the version they probably picture is batt or blanket insulation - rolls and rolls of thick, fluffy stuff (mineral wool) laid carefully down in between the joists. Visit our Careers Portal for more information, How energy-efficiency upgrades like loft insulation can increase the value of your home, How to Prepare Your Home for Winter with Loft Insulation, How to Tackle Rising Energy Bills with Loft Insulation. However, if youre looking at one of our products but youre not confident on fitting it yourself, we also work with a number of recommended installers, so well always be able to point you in the right direction! Fiberglass insulation is famous for its excellent thermal properties, which means it can help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Flat roofs should always be insulated by a professional, and if the space is damp youll need to sort that out before starting any loft insulation work. SheepWool Loft Insulation Comfort Roll - 4m x 570mm x 100mm 4.56m2 Pack. See below where we discuss the benefits of loft insulation in more detail, however before going into going into that we are going to explain the different types of roof and what insulation should be used in each. Quilt Insulation. Foil faced insulation rolls are compact, thin and lightweight, which makes the installation process quick and easy. Insulation not only warms your home in winter, but keeps it cool in summer. There are three basic types of synthetic insulation -- cluster fiber (ThermoBall), short staple (Thinsulate, PrimaLoft, Omni-Heat) and continuous filament (Climashield). There are several different types of loft insulation to choose from and a variety of loft insulation materials available: Batt or blanket loft insulation This is probably the most common type of insulation. What is loft insulation? Not to mention the environmental benefits! It seemed perfect timing when a salesman cold-called them about a type of loft insulation called spray foam. For that, you'll need professional help. To find out even more about smart thermostats, read our comprehensive guide. This are sometimes know as sheet loft insulation, and are either sheets of insulation or boards with insulation applied to the directly. It is made from thin strands of liquid glass that is cooled quickly to create a fibre. Most people have loft insulation installed long before they consider our products like, Were always happy to help with extra information here at Loft Leg - as you can imagine, were fairly well versed in the topic! This may be the rafters of the roof, a structural brace or water tank etc. If you have multiple layers you simple add the R-values of each layer to get the total R-Value for the complete thickness of insulation materials you are using. Fitting insulation in your loft, attic or roof space is a great way to improve your homes cosiness factor. What is best loft insulation? When the floor has a finishing layer or is made of concrete, high density boards are common. Types of loft insulation. Area (in sq m) 5.61 sq m= No rolls of 200mm mineral wool required. This should take just a few hours, depending on the size of your loft. Find Out More About Our Types of Loft Insulation Roll. The warmth from the living rooms will no longer rise to the loft, so you won't have to heat the house as much anymore. If youre happy with that estimate, and would like to proceed with the work, well ask for a deposit and conduct a survey at the property. It revealed that making energy-saving improvements in your home could increase its value by 14% on average. It is generally the cheapest option and a good all-purpose insulation choice to use between the timber joists in the floor of a loft. Its the favoured option for general all-purpose insulation. Currently the government recommendation is that you should have 270mm thickness of insulation in your loft. The regulations state whats necessary when providing, replacing, or increasing the thickness of loft insulation. Thermafleece CosyWool Sheeps Wool Loft Insulation 75mm x 570mm - 9.69m2. Blanket & loose-fill: 10 - 20 per m for an installer Clear out your loft. The most common form of loft insulation, 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. In fact, it might be best to hire someone local whos trained in working with this type of period building. This means that warm roof insulation solutions are more specialist as you need to know what and why you are using them which does make them more expensive generally. It's generally the cheapest option and good all-purpose insulation, especially for between joists. Please enable JavaScript to use the site without any issue. ways you can improve your homes insulation, make your home even more energy-efficient, find out even more about smart thermostats, Historic Scotland's Technical Conservation knowledge base, https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation/, https://www.homeserve.com/uk/living/how-to/installing-loft-insulation/, https://www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk/pros-and-cons-sheep%E2%80%99s-wool-insulation-your-home, https://homesteady.com/12507504/the-disadvantages-of-fiberglass-insulation, https://www.homelogic.co.uk/pros-cons-cellulose-insulation, https://www.viessmann.co.uk/heating-advice/how-much-loft-insulation-do-you-need#anchor-how-to-calculate-how-much-insulation-you-need-for-a-loft, https://www.thermorend.com/much-save-insulating-solid-walls/, https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/draught-proofing/, Statement of Investment Principles of OVO Energy Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme (SSE Hydro Section), Statement of Investment Principles of OVO Energy Group of the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme (SSE Section), Implementation Statement for 2019 DB Regulations, Typical cost of loft insulation installation, Immune to mould because it doesnt absorb moisture. Loft floor rolls - these are the traditional option, and, as the name suggests, are rolled out along the floor of the loft. The table below gives an idea of how many rolls youll need for the area in square metres. To create a warm loft, on the other hand, the insulation is divided between the loft floor and the underside of the roof. Like sheeps wool it is not an irritant and is generally recyclable too. Pros Straightforward to install yourself. The loose yarn can also be blown into hollow spaces. By far and away the most common type of roof is the cold roof and as this does not need specialist advice to fit this is where we will focus. Some sheet insulation boards are available with a fire-resistant, moisture-resistant or decorative covering. If youre using the loft as a bedroom, games room, or study, youll want to keep it as warm as the rest of the house so theres no point in insulating the attic floor. This is the arc of the ladder as it is being folded when bringing it out or putting back into the loft. Glass fibre was invented by accident in the 1930s and has been used as an excellent insulator ever since. Have a read of our complete guide to loft conversions and how to do them. The easiest type to install on your own is quilt insulation. If you have a loft conversion, or if you want to keep your loft heated, insulation can also be fitted to the inside of your roof. The labor needed. As well as any specific challenges the shape of your loft poses. If you insulate between the rafters rather than the joists of your attic, the space will be warm and your pipes should be fine. Weve put together a range of user guides to give you ideas for ways you can improve your homes insulation for roof, loft, walls, windows, and doors. The big problem with this form of insulation for lofts floors is that they are fragile, even the ones designed to be used as loft boards. Loose materials of various kinds are blown in between joists, this is ideal for hard-to-get-at places but doesnt offer a full solution, especially in a draughty loft. The thicker your loft insulation is, the more effective it will be at stopping the heat from leaving your house - an insulation depth of 270mm is recommended. Copyright 2010 - 2022 The Loft Boys Ltd. The heat will not be lost so quickly when the heating goes off so the temperature will not fluctuate so fast or far. The 4 ft x 125 ft roll is enough to insulate an area of 500 sq ft, while the 6 ft x . This is a very worthwhile job on a number of counts. Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. Glass wool is resistant to fire During the manufacture process, about 70-80% of the glass wool is produced from recycled glass Glass wool is resistant to insects. Now your homes insulated, wouldnt it be great to make your home even more energy-efficient, and save more money? This type is known as 'cold loft' insulation. This means that they are effectively stuck in place once it has been applied. Rolls of Knauf mineral wool or earthwool insulation - 270mm thick. To create your estimate, it is vital for us to have a quick look inside your loft. Blown-in wall insulation has a few disadvantages in terms of coverage and aesthetics. This represents about 155.00 per year wasted according to the Energy Saving Trust not to mention the tonnes of CO2. Hope you enjoy them! Warm Roof; this is where the insulation is applied to the underside of the roof rather than the top of the ceilings. If there's some insulation already in place, you don't have to remove it unless it's been seriously compromised (e.g. There are a range of different options for insulating different roofs depending on their construction. *In 2013 the UK Government released a report based on research by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Fill in your details and we'll book a survey so we can provide you with a detailed quotation. Loft insulation can be made from fibreglass, mineral wool, sheep's wool, cellulose, and other materials, and most commonly comes packaged as a roll which can simply be laid out between and over the joists. There are two things that you need to know before you start: It is also helpful to know the height of the joists, but this is likely to be close enough to 100mm not to matter the nice thing about working with insulation is that the measurements do not need to be very precise as it is a squashy substance anyway. They include; 1. As far as costs are concerned: floor insulation is more advantageous as well. The average quilt insulation (270mm) for a detached house is 600. files: 5. Read more in our guide to solid wall insulation. Mineral wool has a lower heat storage capacity than natural materials like sheeps wool, meaning it wont keep your house so cool in summer, Good for insulating from both heat and sound, Doesnt absorb moisture, so immune to mould, Can be vulnerable to insects such as moths needs to be treated with chemicals, or a biocide-free process called Ionic protect, More expensive: you can expect to pay 18 to 25/m2 at 100mm thick for 100% sheep wool, whereas mineral wool is around 13. Remember, insulating between the joists will create a cold roof space, so if youre keeping anything up there that needs to stay warm, its better to insulate between the rafters rather than the joists. The recommended depth for mineral wool insulation - the most common material - is 270mm (about 1ft), but there are other materials (usually more expensive) which require different depths. Public sector buildings such as schools and hospitals. Loose Fill. Otherwise it has very similar performance and can be used in the exactly same way. Sheet Insulation. Loose-fill (blown-in) is very common, but there are different types of insulation for many different areas of a homeand different materials as well. This is a particularly useful type of insulation and is a tidier way to keep the heat in your loft. The average installation cost for loft insulation in a detached home in at 680, but annual energy bill savings could be as much as 580, meaning you'd effectively get your costs back in just over a year. Cold Roof; this is the most common type where the insulation is laid over the top of the ceiling to keep the rooms below warm, but the loft space will therefore not be heated and as a result is called a Cold Roof. The average roof insulation labour cost is 250 per day. how to you go about insulating your loft here, in our project about the construction of a flat roof, See here for how to lay insulation yourself in a cold roof, This type is dealt with in detail in our project about laying loft insulation, our project all about how to lay insulation in your loft, The Different Types of Roof Insulation Options, Different Types of Insulation for a Cold Roof, How to Calculate How Much Insulation You Need in Your Loft, Final Preparations before Laying Insulation, The benefits of Adding Insulation toy your Loft, Cold Roofs; includes an air space in the roof construction, Warm Roofs; the air space in the construction is fill completely with insulation, Inverted roofs (Warm roof with airflow); the air space it part filled with insulation but allows for air flow under the insulation. They will also help you save money on your energy bills. 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. If youre starting from scratch, youll need to install insulation with the U-value. Either one will work great to boost the R-value of your existing insulation and especially works great for those smaller areas you wish to seal quickly and easily. This to needs to be measured from the hinge end of the ladder horizontally along the floor to the nearest obstruction. For insulation thats 100% natural, you cant beat sheeps wool. It is lighter than mineral wool and cellulose. If youd like to read on and find out much more about loft insulation, weve put together a really comprehensive guide just for you! First off, one big choice youll need to consider is whether you need a warm or cold loft misleading terms since a cold loft tends to be hot in summer and cold in winter. - A solid option (pardon the pun) for insulating loft conversions, - Covered with plasterboard for a clean finish, - Sometimes packaged with their own attachment system, - Generally the most expensive type of loft insulation. Like glass fibre insulation Rockwool is made by heating rock, generally dolomite, until it melts and then forcing it into strands which are cooled to create wool fibres. And finally, well need you to have a fairly good idea of what youd like to have installed. Loose-fill insulation may not stay in place, especially in draught-prone lofts Typical cost per m2 Between 5 and 7.50 per m2 4. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As well as keeping your home toasty, they're one of the most fire-resistant choices. Please Note: We collect your contact details only so that we can get back to you. Cellulose vs fiberglass vs Mineral Wool Insulation. Youll need to tackle this before thinking about insulation. Can be covered with plasterboard for an attractive finish. However, there are actually a few different types of loft insulation with various characteristics. Sheet insulation is designed for insulating the sloping sides of the roof and comes in the form of firm boards. You can request some specific information or download our products & service brochure. files: 5. For more information please read our privacy policy. No need to go into R-values and thermal conductivity values phew! So you need to insulate ( or lag) your tank and pipes individually to make sure they dont freeze and burst. This varies massively between different brands and manufacturers. It is one of the cheapest options and is an all-purpose insulation material, especially between joists. IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS PART SAFELY, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT IT. Use 200mm thick rolls which have a coverage of 5.61 m2. If you have a currently uninsulated loft, getting it insulated to the recommended 270mm depth of insulation is likely to cost between 285 for a mid-terrace to 395 for a detached house. While this can be ideal between joists, it becomes more problematic above them. Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, pdf, mov, mpg, mpeg, m4p, m4v, mp4, avi, Max. In recent years though this has become more popular since it is an environmentally friendly form of insulation. - Greener variants use recycled glass or sheeps wool (a non-irritant), - Mineral wool is low cost and readily available, - Some batt insulation materials can irritate the skin, - Rolls of blanket can be too bulky for smaller spaces and can significantly reduce head height.
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