Insulating your loft conversion Part 1

Insulating a loft is not technically a difficult element of the loft conversions process to pull off! It’s more to do with the working conditions that often make it a challenge. Lofts can be unsafe places for DIY activity to be carried out, especially if you’re not experienced.

However, we thought we would take you through the insulation basics to give you an idea of how it can be done properly and safely. If fitted correctly, loft insulation can cut down your energy bills quite significantly. On average homeowners who get their lofts insulated save £100-150+ on an annual basis.

Paying a professional to fit the insulation is always the recommended choice, but it is possible to DIY.

So what are the basics?

Prep work is essential.

Make sure you get the answers to these questions before doing anything:
– Do I have easy access to the loft space? Do I have the tools necessary to do the job?
– Is the roof itself in need of repair?
– Is there any chance of insect infestation?
– Is the electric wiring/cabling in good condition?
– Do I have adequate light to lay the insulation in the loft space?
– Are there are holes or cracks to the ceiling?

There are problems that can be presented to you when answering these questions that need addressing before commencing work.

Don’t start the insulation if the roof is in a state of disrepair. It would render the insulation work obsolete almost immediately. You see, you would lose a substantial amount of heat via the roof itself.

Bring in a professional contractor to give your loft and roof an accurate assessment. It’s essential you understand the condition of your loft in order to pull off an insulation successfully.

There are two main types of insulating material that can be used – roll material and loose fill material.

Roll insulation material – the distance between the joists will be the same width or up to 50mm under the width of the roll. Count the number of joist spaces across the loft and work out how many rolls are required to fill the spaces.

Loose fill material – 200 litres of loose fill insulation material will be typically required to achieve 200mm coverage per square metre.

In the next blog we will get into the safety involved with the loft insulation process. In the meantime, for any inquiries or for advice please contact us.


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