This project will help you to work out exactly how much loft insulation you need to buy so that you can lay it yourself. This has the advantage of being cheap and relatively easy to install. If youre improving loft insulation of a U-value worse than 0.35W/m2K, youll need to add sufficient insulation to the U-value of 0.16W/m2K. Visit the National Insulation Association (NIA) website to find NIA members in your area. It's generally the cheapest option and good all-purpose insulation, especially for between joists. Cellulose, fiberglass, and rock wool are typically blown in by experienced installers skilled at achieving the correct density and R-values. There is no need to lift old insulation just lay the new stuff directly on top, without squashing it down. 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. Loose-fill Insulation Yes. Theyll likely use cellulose fibre or mineral wool, treated to make sure its fire retardant. These are the main insulation options you have: This type is dealt with in detail in our project about laying loft insulation. If your home was built before 1990, chances are you have one of the old attic insulation types. files: 5. There are several different types of loft insulation to choose from and a variety of loft insulation materials available: This is probably the most common type of insulation. On the downside it is expensive and cannot be used in a draughty loft where it might be blown about. Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful, Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416, Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating. It can be difficult to visualize what a square meter looks like. Therefore, if you don't currently don't have a ladder please try to borrow one from a friend or neighbour. 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. There will be no joists so there is no need to deduct anything. This makes it a good choice for those who are planning on installing their loft insulation without professional help. Choose from two types: closed-cell and open-cell, aka 2-pound and -pound, respectively. (The more environmentally friendly options include cork, straw and wood board.). Choosing loft insulation. Where air is poor at trapping heat is where it is allowed to move; it warms up and then moves taking the heat with it. You will also find that your home is more comfortable; warmer in winter and cooler in summer, maintaining a stable temperature for longer. Attention: The Loft Boys site requires JavaScript.Please enable JavaScript to use the site without any issue. As much of 25% of your heating can be lost through the roof with no insulation in place. 14An independent study has shown that installing and correctly using a tado smart thermostat can reduce your energy use from heating by up to 31%. Browse Our Extensive Range of Loft Insulation Roll. And finally, well need you to have a fairly good idea of what youd like to have installed. But it leaves the loft subject to temperature fluctuations and condensation. You want to know the joist height so you can decide it the first layer of insulation is going to be laid in between the joists. - Highly effective, with a high insulating value per unit thickness. - 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. With a smart thermostat you can control your heating from wherever you are. Home > DIY How To Projects and Tutorial Guides > Types of Loft Insulation. The main points determining factors are: The size and condition of your loft space. Make sure the hatch fits snugly. We are a mandatory FIT & SEG licensee, read our complete guide to heating and energy grants. Blanket loft insulation However, there are actually a few different types of loft insulation with various characteristics. You can request some specific information or download our products & service brochure. It provides a white finish and a smooth, clean, interior appearance. Loft insulation only lasts this long if you keep it in optimum conditions. 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. {"cookieName":"wBounce","isAggressive":false,"isSitewide":true,"hesitation":"","openAnimation":false,"exitAnimation":false,"timer":"","sensitivity":"","cookieExpire":"","cookieDomain":"","autoFire":"","isAnalyticsEnabled":true}. Keep in mind that spraying larger areas with . Then you can get started with laying the insulation. Some less common loose-fill insulation materials include polystyrene beads and perlite. Loft floor rolls - these are the traditional option, and, as the name suggests, are rolled out along the floor of the loft. Don't worry though, if you'd rather not choose this option, we'll still get back to you. However, there are actually a few different types of loft insulation with various characteristics. We've created this blog post about rafter insulation because we realised that a lot of people search for this term but there isn't much out there that explains it well. Making energy-efficiency upgrades to your home will increase its value. It is then formed into batts and boards for usage. 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. . Some are made from stone, but they're still easy to cut and fit your space. Insulating between the joists means your attic or loft will become colder, and so its possible it could cause damp. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Glass Fibre versus Rock or Mineral Fibre Insulation These are the main insulation options you have: Rolled Batt or Blanket Insulation This type is dealt with in detail in our project about laying loft insulation. Well ask you to make some measurements of the hatch and the height of your ceiling. Youll have to use a professional installer, who can blow granules of insulation into your loft with specialist equipment. This means that some heat can get into the loft and regulate its temperature, but is prevented from escaping through the roof. They sport insulation values of approximately R-6.5 and R-3.6 per inch, respectively. It . are other options but are not a DIY job; this requires specialist professional knowledge, skill and tools. If youre ready for a quote just give us a call on 0800 6128 933 or leave your contact details and well. Well need you to send us photos of the outside of your house, around your loft hatch and inside your loft. file size: 8 MB, Max. Either way, its like a big cosy blanket that slows down the transfer of heat between your living space and the outside world. They provide highly efficient insulation in the form of a fire resistant, moisture resistant covering. If you are insulating your loft for storage there are three main types of loft insulation you can consider. There are specialist insulated loft boards that are designed to be laid across the joists and allow you to keep your storage space. 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. And for more advice about keeping your home warm during the winter, head over to our guide to the most efficient way to heat your home. Fast Delivery. If you want to store bits and pieces safely in your attic youll need to fit boards over the joists. The downside is that sheet insulation tends to be the most expensive type. A fair proportion of our customers are DIYers, and fit products like Loft Legs, Loft Ledges and Loft Lights themselves. Cheap Prices. boiler or heat pump). The table below gives an idea of how many rolls youll need for the area in square metres. Most common insulation type, made out of fiberglass, used in walls, attics, floors. 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 cold loft would be unsuitable if you plan on storing materials sensitive to either, or if you intend to use the space for activities. If youre installing your own insulation, its important to be aware of the building regulations surrounding the process. Fiberglass Insulation Fiberglass insulation is made from fiberglass strands. Find out how to fit loose-fill insulation. 15U-value is a measure of how much heat is lost through a particular material the lower the value the better. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about: Loft insulation is a barrier of material in your roof space that traps heat. from 67.97 incl VAT. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Fibreglass insulation: 4 to 6 per square metre, Cellulose insulation: 4 to 7 per square metre, Mineral wool insulation: 10 to 13 per square metre, Sheeps wool insulation: 18 to 25 per square metre, Spray foam insulation: 27 to 30 per square metre. 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! Find Out More About Our Types of Loft Insulation Roll. This comes in a number of different materials, including cellulose fiber, mineral wool, and cork granules. If the insulation lays flat. Copyright 2010 - 2022 The Loft Boys Ltd. Quilt Insulation. There are 4 common types of insulation that can alter the heat inside your house depending on the weather conditions outside. To create a warm loft, on the other hand, the insulation is divided between the loft floor and the underside of the roof. If youre starting from scratch, youll need to install insulation with the U-value. Cover all spaces and gaps to ensure good efficiency. Essentially, loose-fill insulation is exactly what it sounds like. Some boards come with their own system of attachment. 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. 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. Insulating your cavity walls could be a very cost-effective way to retain heat in your home and save money on your bills. 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. We recommend getting professional advice from a builder or damp expert before you start insulating. Here is the shortlist of all the types of insulation used in residential properties: Insulation Type 1: Blanket insulation (batts and rolls). Ensure that it is treated as it will attract all manner of creatures to make their homes in it if it is not. For uninsulated lofts. Use 100mm thick rolls which have a coverage of 8.3 m2. Good for insulating accessible spaces such as exposed wall cavities. However, there will be joists that will take up some of the area so deduct 10%. You might as well have used a smaller amount! They will also help you save money on your energy bills. This is known as convection, and if this is stopped, by trapping the air in the wool then air becomes an excellent insulator. The table below shows the savings that can be made with proper loft insulation. What is loft insulation? This is the arc of the ladder as it is being folded when bringing it out or putting back into the loft. The wool is usually formed into rolls, but can also be bought as large tiles, and makes a very popular insulation method. If you insulate between the rafters rather than the joists of your attic, the space will be warm and your pipes should be fine. Blown-fibre Insulation. In fact, it might be best to hire someone local whos trained in working with this type of period building. Mutors is a website that writes about many topics of interest to you, a blog that shares knowledge and insights useful to everyone in many fields. Folding ladders will also need a minimum swing clearance. Each type of insulation is suitable for slightly different environments and circumstances, here's how to choose the right one for you! Once youve got a close-fitting hatch, apply draught-stripping between the hatch and the frame. The average return on investment is worth the attic insulation costs. Residential houses and flats. Its impossible to say which type of insulation is the best since all the types weve listed have a different purpose and usage. In this post, well explore the different types of loft insulation and which we think is the most effective. It revealed that making energy-saving improvements in your home could increase its value by 14% on average. The most common methods of loft insulation include: Loft floor rolls; Loft rafter insulation; Sprayed foam insulation; Insulated loft floorboards document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We always protect your personal data. If there is less than 4 inches already installed, you could qualify for a grant to top it up to . 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. The installation costs are unsubsidised averages and will vary. Visit our Careers Portal for more information. They can be bulky and awkward to get into tight spaces and might need to be cut to size making them slower to lay. 06890795 registered in England and Wales, VAT No. Blanket insulation is also the one thats best used in conjunction with our flagship Loft Legs, in order to create a solid and stable surface above the government recommended depth of insulation. At Insulation4Less, our foil fiberglass vinyl insulation comes in two sizes. Most people have loft insulation installed long before they consider our products like Loft Leg or Loft Ledge, so to help you quickly tell the difference weve summed up some of their key characteristics here. Cost is also naturally going to be a major factor, which will probably narrow your available choices. Spray foam insulation can also provide structural strength to the roof, but you need to ensure that there are no slipped or broken tiles as the foam is generally applied to the underside of them without felt. Check there arent any other holes going up into the roof above the airing cupboard, for instance, or around pipes. Types of Loft Insulation to Choose from : 1.1 - Spray Foam Insulation 1.2 - Fiberglass (Traditional Insulation) 1.3 - Cellulose (Traditional Insulation) Spray Foam Loft Insulation Compared to Traditional Insulation: How much does it cost to Insulate a loft in the UK? Remember to look for the R-value, which is the measurement of how well an insulating material resists heat flow. Today, though, were far more aware of the impact of wasted heat With winter on its way, if not here, were all turning up our heating to make sure we dont freeze at home. We explain the different types of loft insulation you could use and the pros and cons of each type, including the types of roof or loft that they would be used in. 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. Always lay the insulation with the foil facing up on the top of the insulation layer. Loft insulation lasts for a very long time. Its the favoured option for general all-purpose insulation. Loose fill blown mineral wool fibre, treated cellulose or polyurethane foam. Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, pdf, mov, mpg, mpeg, m4p, m4v, mp4, avi, Max. A rule of thumb is that the thicker the insulation, the bigger the energy savings. 100mm Knauf Earthwool Loft Roll 44 Insulation Combi-Cut (13.89m2/Roll) Sheeps wool is a more expensive insulation option. We will cover these briefly so that you can understand where and when they should be used, before we focus on explaining how you calculate the amount of insulation needed to insulate a cold roof or cold loft, which is by far and away the most common type. 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). Type Breathable reflective foil insulation (1) Breathable reflective membrane (1) Downlight protector hood (1) Foil insulation roll (5) Insulation accessories (1) Insulation foil (2) Loft insulation accessories (1) Loft light (1) Loft roll insulation (4) Reflective foil insulation (2) Reflective foil membrane (1) Height 130 mm (1) 155 mm (1) Brand Sheet Insulation. Fits easily between irregularly spaced joists or around obstructions. There are different types of loft insulation: Blanket loft insulation (also called matting insulation) - the most common and easiest to install type of loft insulation. How much loft insulation you need will depend on the loft space and the type of insulation you choose to fit. This represents about 155.00 per year wasted according to the Energy Saving Trust not to mention the tonnes of CO2. 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. This includes loft insulation, whether youre a homeowner or a renter. Add to basket. It is one of the cheapest options and is an all-purpose insulation material, especially between joists. On the downside they are irritants, or the non-irritating varieties are more expensive. Area (in sq m) 8.3 sq m= No rolls of 100mm mineral wool required. Find out how to fit sheet roof insulation. It also costs less. If you're insulating the rafters to create a warm room, there's no need to worry. The rolls are usually 600mm (24in) or 400mm (16in) wide. But not all rolls are exactly the same size, so check before you buy8. It is slightly more insulating than Rock wool insulation for its weight but not enough to worry about. Rolls of Knauf mineral wool or earthwool insulation - 270mm thick. Other benefits of loft insulation include: Loft insulation for an average 3-bedroom, semi-detached house with gas central heating can start at about 50 for DIY installation2. Typical R-value of about 3.2 per inch. Greener types of loose-fill insulation include recycled newspaper. Possibility 1: Insulate attic floor Insulating the loft floor is the most appropriate option in order to reduce heating costs. If you do have a dry attic with easy access and evenly-spaced joists, the cheapest and simplest way to insulate it is between the joists, with rolls of blanket roof insulation. Ideal for insulating areas where access is difficult. These include: This scheme involves the UKs bigger energy suppliers contributing to energy-efficiency measures for households that meet the criteria. Synthetic sheet insulation materials use large amounts of energy during production. 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. Building Regulations state that blanket loft insulation in new-builds must meet a minimum depth of 270mm. This kind of insulation is done with aid of spray holders. This is made from a variety of granular or lightweight materials such as cork granules, mineral wool or cellulose fibre. Fiberglass Insulation. Because of cost mainly, they would seldom be used in a loft. This can be anything, although it is typically something like shredded cork . Its also important if fitting the insulation yourself, that you allow for air flow. Another disadvantage is that you have more space to heat as you are heating the whole loft space, as well as all the habitable rooms, however typically the insulation performs better so will generally offset this disadvantage.