If you live in a place with cold climate, you would surely want your home to be well-insulated to keep the temperature inside more comfortable and warm. Loft insulation serves as a huge blanket that traps rising heat through the loft. Without it, your house could lose as much as 25% of the heat to the roof.
The materials used for loft insulation typically are packaged together. They consist mostly of cellulose fiber, mineral wool and mineral fiberglass. For fiberglass insulation, it generally comes in rolled mat which is 4-8 inches thick while the loose or mineral wool is packaged in bags and in powder form. Fiberglass insulation is recommended on smooth surface while loose wool is used for rough corners. Sheet insulation is typically more expensive and is used to insulate the sloping underside of roof compared to the attic floor. It can be seen in many modern loft conversions, covered with plasterboard to provide an excellent finish. The insulation materials used may differ on the type of surface where they’ll be applied to.
Benefits of Loft Insulation
When we talk about saving more money on our household energy bills, investing in renewable energy technology is not the only solution. Loft insulation is a cost-effective method to help you save on your energy bills and reduce wastage of energy. It helps retain heat inside the house so you get to enjoy a comfortable temperature. It also minimizes carbon footprints which can lessen climate change.
Amount of Insulation
For those with homes for more than 10 years, you can take benefit much from loft insulation. The amount of insulation has steadily increased for the past 50 years as energy costs have climbed up and experts suggested that the thicker the insulation, the more energy and money are saved. Most building regulations preferred that loft insulation should have a depth of 270 mm (10.5 inches), so it’s not surprising why some older houses have not complied with the current building insulation requirements. As long as the installer can penetrate the areas between loft beams, loft installation can be done.
Safety Reminders
When installing materials for loft insulation, make sure to wear protective gear and dust masks, since loose wool can irritate the skin and eyes. Those in powder form can also cause allergies, so always remember to wear masks, goggles and gloves when handling them. Home insurance policies will not cover people who’ll place their foot in the ceiling so ensure that durable plank of wood is laid across several joists and kneel on it rather than balancing on the joists.
Cost and Savings
The cost and savings for loft insulation will depend on whether you want to do it yourself or leave it to a professional contractor and if you already have an existing loft insulation or not. You can save up to £175 on your energy bills and nearly 730 kg of carbon emission annually. Since this doesn’t require maintenance, you will get additional savings all year round. Grants are 100% available in UK and most of the insulating materials are sold in DIY stores in UK.
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