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Loft Insulation

Installing Loft Insulation

If you want a cost effective and energy efficient house, try insulating your loft. Heat rises and it goes directly to the loft then out through cracks and seams in the roof. When it's hot outside, heat seeps into the house thought the un-insulated loft! Whichever way the heat goes, you lose about 20% money- wise and a larger 30% to 70%, heat-wise or cold-wise.

You need to properly insulate your house and you could do that by starting at the loft. If you already have loft insulation check that you meet the minimum 200 mm, better if 250 to 270 mm thickness. If your insulation does not conform, better start re-insulating your loft.

There are plenty of DIY insulation kits out in the market. Insulating your loft is not technically challenging.  However, it could become difficult because of the space constraint.  You can insulate your loft two ways: you do it or you hire someone to do it.  Either way you need to answer these questions first before proceeding with your loft insulation project.

• Is there an easy access to the loft?
• Is the roof in need of repair?
• Is there insect infestation?
• Is there enough light in the loft?
• Is the electrical wiring in order?
• Are there holes or cracks in the ceiling?

If the answer to any of these questions lead to possible problems, you need to address those problem first before your proceed installing insulation.

In addition to these, do not attempt to step directly on the ceiling joists when doing the insulation. This is a dangerous job even for a seasoned DIY. Put thick plywood or plank to slide over the joists as you work. The plank of wood should be strong enough to carry your weight.

If there are pipes in and around the loft, make sure you insulate them. Check that the roof has enough ventilation to avoid condensation. One way to check is to see if you can see sunlight at the eaves. If you do, then ventilation is adequate.

Two Types of Loft Insulation

There are two basic types of insulation materials: the roll material and the loose-fill material.

• Roll Material is usually made of fibreglass matting or mineral fibre available in rolls of 400 mm wide (16 inches). The thickness ranges from 100 mm (4 inches) to 200 mm (8 inches). In the UK the minimum required insulation thickness is 200 mm. If your old insulation is only 100 mm thick, then you can overlay it with another 100 mm thick insulation to meet the requirement. This type of insulation is easy enough for a self-confessed DIY-er.

To estimate, measure the distance between joists. It should be from 350 mm to 400 mm, same as the roll. If the width is greater, some means should be provided to close the gap. Count the number of spaces between joists then measure the length of the joist across the roof.  Compute the total length needed. A roll of insulation can be bought in 5 meters and 9 meters.

• Loose-fill loft insulation materials are mineral wool or cellulose fibres. This is better installed by a qualified contractor. The material has the same insulation value as rolls of loft insulation. The minimum thickness is likewise 200mm (8 inches). As some roof and ceiling joists have only 100mm to 150 mm (4 inches to 6 inches) of depth, a specialist need to add depth to the joists to meet the 200mm (8 inches) minimum thickness of insulation.

To estimate, measure the area of the loft then multiply it by 200 litres. As mentioned earlier, this type of insulation is best done by a specialist.

Laying a mineral roll loft insulation

Here is an easy step by step guide on laying your roll insulation. Make sure that you have checked the first list at the start of this article.

• Make sure that the area between joists are clean
• Seal any noticeable gaps made by pipes or wiring
• Unroll the mineral wool between joists starting from the eaves up to the centre of the loft. See to it that the roll is not stretched and that there is enough gap at the eaves to allow ventilation.
• Don't forget to insulate under wiring and roof members.
• Insulate under or around pipes and cablings.
• After doing your first insulation, start with another piece this time at the other end of the loft rolling towards the first piece. Cut and butt the two pieces together. Repeat the process to all joist spaces.
• Don't forget to insulate the door or hatch going to the loft.

Installing loose fill loft insulation

Although it is best to seek professional help in installing loose fill loft insulation, here is a gross step by step how to.

• Make sure the spaces between joists are debris free.
• Seal any gaps made by pipes and cablings.
• Make sure gaps between joists are sealed under the eaves to keep insulation in the loft. You can screw a board at the end of each pair of joists to solve this problem. Make sure there is enough ventilation.
• Pour the loose fill insulation between joists. Knowing that joists are only about 100 mm to 150 mm in depth, you should have made the provision to accommodate the 200 mm minimum insulation depth requirement.
• Electric wiring, cables and pipes should be above the insulation and not under it.
• Don't fill the joists space around the water tank. This would be insulated separately.
• Use mineral roll for the hatch/door insulation.

Make sure that all waste materials are properly disposed of. Put the waste materials in an airtight bag before disposal. If you are not confident enough to DIY this project, then don't! It might be wiser and maybe cost effective if you just get professional help in insulating your loft.

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