The Difference Between Loft Insulation and Roof Insulation

What is Loft Insulation and how is it installed?

It is a simple job for a professional to insulate your loft, providing it is easy to access and you don’t have any problems with damp or condensation. Rolls of mineral wool can be used if the joists in your loft are regular; (joists are the horizontal beams which make up the floor). The first layer of wool is placed between the joists, and then a second layer is placed at right angles which covers the joists and also makes the insulation up to the correct depth of 270mm.

What about storage space?

If you want to use your loft as a storage space, you would need to lay boards on top of the joists. However if the insulation is only between the joists it would not be thick enough. The solution is then to raise the level of the loft floor which would allow space for the mineral wool beneath the new floor, while being careful not to squash the wool which would make it less effective at insulating.

 

 

Is there another way of installing the insulation?

Yes, the insulation can also be fitted between and over the top of the rafters (the sloping beams that make up the roof). The insulation in this instance can be either rigid insulation board cut to size, or alternatively foam insulation can be sprayed between the rafters.

If your loft does not have easy access then insulation can be blown into any awkward space. The material used is either mineral wool fibre, polyurethane foam or treated cellulose.

If your roof is flat, it would be insulated from above. This would be a layer of rigid insulation board placed either on top of the roof’s weatherproof layer or onto the timber surface of the roof, and then a new weatherproof layer added on top of the insulation.

What are the benefits?

As around a quarter of your home’s heat escapes through an uninsulated roof, having loft or roof insulation is a great way to reduce heat loss and therefore reduce your heating bills. Loft insulation remains effective for a minimum of 40 years so should pay for itself many times over.

Here are the annual savings you could make on your energy bills as estimated by the Energy Saving Trust, based on the type of property you have:

detached house – £215
semi-detached house – £130
mid-terraced house – £115
detached bungalow – £185

What about Government Grants for loft insulation?

The grant schemes typically only allow for mineral wool blankets laid on the floor of the loft as other techniques are much more expensive. Complete our online form today and see if you could qualify for free loft insulation.