The do’s and don’ts of choosing insulation for your loft

Are you looking to insulate your loft? If so, you’re in for a treat, because there are plenty of insulation materials on the market to choose from. But before you make your final decision, it’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts of choosing insulation. Let’s look at some of the most important things to keep in mind when making your selection.

What is loft insulation and why you might need it? 

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated house. Insulating your loft, attic, or flat roof can help you save money on heating expenses by keeping heat in. If it is installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times in its 40-year lifespan.

It’s a common misconception that loft insulation is just for winter. In fact, loft insulation will help keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. So, whether you want to reduce your energy costs or make your home more comfortable, loft insulation could be the answer!

There are different types of loft insulation on the market, and it can be tricky to choose the right one for your needs. In this blog post we’ll give you some tips on how to select the right type of insulation for your loft, and also provide a few do’s and don’ts of installing loft insulation.

The different types of loft insulation on the market

• Fiberglass loft insulation (also known as mineral wool loft insulation)
• Polyester loft insulation (also known as rolled loft insulation)
• Extruded polystyrene loft insulation (also known as EPS loft insulation or XPS loft insulation)
• Expanded polystyrene loft insulation

Each type of loft insulation has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right one for your home. Registered installers will be able to advise you on the best type of insulation to use, and here at the Eco Providers we are registered with KIWA and only use approved materials (see https://www.kiwa.com/en/).  We also have years of experience to ensure you make the right choice and get the best outcome from your new loft insulation.

What depth of loft insulation do I need?

The government suggests a minimum depth of 270mm of loft insulation, but many new-build homes are installing loft insulation to a depth of 300mm (or more).

If you already have loft insulation but aren’t quite ready to get the ladder out, you can view your homes existing insulation on the EPC Register at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate (providing there is an EPC for your home).

As well as ensuring you have the correct depth of loft insulation, it’s also important to make sure that your loft space is properly ventilated. If you don’t do this, condensation can build up and cause damage to your loft insulation, as well as creating the perfect environment for mould growth.

The do’s and don’ts of installing loft insulation

There are a few things to bear in mind when installing loft insulation:

• Make sure you choose loft insulation that is recommended by one of the loft insulation regulators, and that it fits your loft’s requirements.
• Do not overfill your loft with insulation, the optimum depth for loft insulation is 270mm – 300mm.
• If you have a water tank or boiler in the loft, make sure that the insulation is not blocking the vents.
• Make sure you choose an installer registered with one of the main loft insulation bodies (such as KIWA, CIGA or NIA)
• Check what guarantees are included in the installation if you are using a professional installer. Here at the Eco Providers we use Qualitymark (GDGC) for our guarantees.

FAQs about loft insulation

How much loft insulation do I need?

A loft should be insulated to 270mm – 300mm. This is the optimum depth for loft insulation and will provide you with a U-value of 0.16W/mK or less.

How much loft insulation do I already have?

The best way to check this is by looking at your loft. If you can’t get up into your loft you could check the government’s EPC register to see if there is one for your home. If there is loft insulation at the time of the EPC the depth of the existing insulation is usually recorded by the assessor.

How much does loft insulation cost?

The cost of loft insulation will vary depending on several factors, including the size and shape of your loft, the type and quality of insulation you choose and whether you have it installed professionally or do it yourself. You can expect to pay around XX-YY for professional installation.

Types of loft insulation

The main types of loft insulation are:

• mineral wool insulation (also known as glass or rock wool)
• foam insulation
• sheep’s wool insulation

Professional installers will be able to advise regarding which type of insulation is best suited to your home.

How long it takes to install loft insulation?

Fitting loft insulation is usually a straightforward process, especially if your loft is empty and has plenty of space. However, it can be more time consuming if there are loft boards to remove or you have pipes and wires in the loft that need to be worked around. If you have pipes in your loft, they will also need insulating

What are the advantages of loft insulation?

The main advantage of loft insulation is that it helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It can also help to reduce your energy bills, as well as reducing your carbon footprint.

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If you’re looking for a way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save money on your heating bills, loft insulation is a great place to start. There are several different types of insulation available on the market, so it’s important to do your research to find the best option for your home. We hope this article has helped to give you an idea of what type of loft insulation you need and how to install it safely and correctly. For more information, visit our website or contact us today.