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Sometimes, heating your home can be expensive, especially now that the price of energy is going up for everyone.
As heat rises, about 25% of it escapes through the roof of homes that aren’t well insulated. Insulating the roof and loft is usually the best way to save energy because it’s usually the cheapest and most effective.
Most suppliers like to install loft insulation along with cavity walls or other steps because it helps them meet their goals more quickly with less work.
Firstly, we will discuss about loft insulation and why it’s needed. After that we will compile types of loft insulation and costs also are government grants still available for loft insulation? Now, let’s go inside to walk through if i install insulation by myself.
What is Loft Insulation?
Loft insulation is placed in the space between the roof and the ceiling of the top floor of a building. Usually, this space is known as the loft or attic. It prevents heat from escaping from the living room below to save energy and keep the building at a comfortable temperature.
Loft insulation can be made from fibreglass, mineral wool, cellulose, or foam boards, among other materials. It’s usually installed as rolls, loose-fill insulation. Insulation between the beams keeps the warmth in the room below and makes the loft cold.
You can also maintain warmth in the attic space, thanks to the loft insulation.
Other benefits of loft insulation include:
- Lower heating bills
- Improving your home’s energy efficiency rating
- Increasing your home’s value
A typical three-bedroom semi-detached home with gas central heating may have its loft insulated for as as low as £50 if done by yourself. Because of the decreased energy costs, this could take less than a year to pay for itself.
Why is Loft Insulation Needed?
One of the best ways to increase your home’s warmth is to install insulation in your roof space, attic, or loft. The good news gets even better: it continues for over 40 years! Low-cost loft insulation should save you a lot of money on your energy bills, so it should pay for itself many times.
Furthermore, a loft with proper insulation lowers your house’s carbon footprint. Because your heating system will work better if your home is insulated better, you will save money on costs and minimise your carbon footprint by doing this.
Types of Loft Insulation
Today, you can buy a lot of different kinds of insulation, like wool and plastic wrap. But these are the most popular ones. Don’t forget to look for the R-value. This shows how well the insulation material stops heat from moving. The insulation is better when you increase the R-value.
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Mineral Wool
Mineral wool, made from melted rock wool or glass wool, is composed of yarn (melted stone). Before it is rolled into the space between the loft beams, the wool is rolled into a flexible mat that usually comes in big rolls called “batts.” The loose yarn can also be blown into hollow spaces.
Pros:
- Good at conducting heat
- Good for soundproofing
- Cheaper than other types of insulation
- Not flammable
- Long-term solution
- Because it doesn’t absorb moisture, it is resistant to mould.
- 100% recyclable
- Minimal carbon footprint
- Has a wide range of uses
Cons:
- It can be irritating; therefore, when installing it, wear gloves!
- Mineral wool doesn’t hold as much heat as natural materials like sheep’s wool, so it won’t keep your house as cool in the summer.
Sheep’s Wool
Sheep’s wool is the best insulation option because it is entirely natural. Wool comes in rolls, but you can also buy it in big pieces. It is a very popular way to insulate.
Pros:
- Excellent at protecting against sound and heat
- Good at holding onto heat
- Safe and easy to process
- Doesn’t cause irritation
- 100% sustainable material
- 100% recyclable
- Not flammable
- Doesn’t absorb moisture, so immune to mould
- Good air-purifying properties
Cons:
- Insects like ants can damage it, so it needs to be handled with chemicals or a biocide-free method called “ionic protection.”
- More expensive: you can expect to pay £18 to £25/m2 at 100mm thick for 100% sheep wool, whereas mineral wool is around £133.
Spray Loft Insulation
Only a professional can install spray foam; they will mix the material before they get to your house. A chemical process turns the mixture into a thick foam sprayed with a special instrument. The foam quickly expands to fill the spaces and provides a thick coating.
Pros:
- Good heat and sound insulation
- Immune to mould, mildew, and bacteria
- Creates an airtight seal
- A very long lifespan
- Quick to install
- You should ask your provider what chemicals are in the spray foam you’re getting and stay away from formaldehyde, HCFC, CFC, and HFA.
Cons:
- Professional installation is required, which will increase the cost of installation.
- It may shrink in areas with significant temperature fluctuations. However, this shouldn’t be an issue in the UK.
- If the foam isn’t mixed by a professional, there’s a small chance that the toxic gas released when foam ‘cure’ could remain.
- There are many kinds of spray foam, and some of them have bad chemicals in them. Stay away from ones that have formaldehyde, HCFC, CFC, or HFA in them.
How Much is Costly Loft Insulation?
This varies massively between different brands and manufacturers. This is a rough guide only.
- The price of fibreglass insulation is approximately £4–£6 per square metre.
- Cellulose insulation costs between £4 and £7 per square metre.
- Insulation with mineral wool: £10 to £13 per square metre
- The price range for sheep wool insulation per square metre is £18 to £25.
- The price of spray foam insulation per square metre ranges from £27 to £30.
Are Government Grants still available for loft insulation?
People raised a question about are there any grants available for loft insulation? Yes, grants available for loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. UK government grants offers free for your loft and cavity(hollow) walls as part of the Great British Insulation Scheme or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
These are two different types of schemes supported by the government, but both have the same target: to make homes energy efficient. The government grants has set a goal to reach net zero percent carbon emissions by 2050, so it supports grants to achieve this goal.
DIY loft insulation, is it possible?
Are you thinking about insulating your loft yourself? The good news is that it’s quite simple, and you can do it! As long as:
- It’s easy to get into your roof space.
- There are no dampness or condensation problems.
- Your loft joists are regularly spaced.
- It is not your goal to insulate a flat roof.
Professional installers who know how to insulate a loft in the best way should be called in for jobs that are more involved than this.
How to Insulate a Loft
It is easiest and cheapest to insulate an attic that is dry, easy to get to, and has beams that are evenly spread. You can use rolls of wrap to insulate the spaces between your roof’s beams. Glass fibre, mineral wool, or recyclable materials can be used to make this.
Here’s how to do it yourself:
- First, remove any old boxes and other items that may have been stored in your loft.
- Any pipelines and water tanks located in the roof space should be insulated.
- They don’t freeze because the attic will be much colder once separated from the living area below.
- Check whether there’s any electrical wiring up there. If so, it must be above the insulating material without being pushed back in order to do so. A qualified electrician should be consulted if you’re unsure what to do.
- Take a measurement of your loft and purchase enough cover insulation to fill it with at least 270mm of space.
- Place the insulation between the joists after unrolling it. To make sure, measure the frame first to make sure they are sufficiently tall. For this first layer, you’ll need wool that is 100 mm thick.
- Loft insulation rolls are typically 1140 mm wide, so cutting them to fit will be necessary. Use scissors, as tearing or stretching the material could make it less effective.
- Make a second layer that is parallel to the first. You will use 200mm of wool for the second layer if the first layer is 100mm deep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the government grants helps pensioners support for things like energy efficient measures and insulation by giving them grants.
You can still insulate a flat roof, but it is preferable to do it from the outside rather than the inside. Condensation issues may arise if you insulate it from below. It is better to consult with professional.
You can find NIA people in your area by going to the NIA website. Installers listed on the website have committed to following a set of rules.
Contact Home Energy Scotland at 0808 808 2282 if you’re in Scotland. You can also find out how to insulate traditionally built houses by going to Historic Scotland’s Technical Conservation knowledge base.
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