A simple fix for warmer homes: Roof and loft insulation

The benefits of loft and roof insulation

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Save money on your energy bills

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According to the Energy Saving Trust, the initial cost of insulating your loft will total between £880 and £1200, depending on the type of property you own. Once installed, you’ll start seeing savings of between £240 and £445 on your energy bills every year - so in a short space of time, the insulation will pay for itself and start generating some serious savings.

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Doesn’t require maintenance 

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Roof and loft insulation typically lasts at least 40 years, so as long as it’s installed correctly, it should require little to no maintenance. However, you’ll need to check it periodically for any signs of damp and to make sure it isn’t being squashed, which reduces its effectiveness.

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Make your home more environmentally friendly

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In a draughty and uninsulated home, you’ll need to use your central heating more often and for longer to keep warm. If you opt for insulation, you’ll stop wasting heat - and your home will be much greener. This can make a big difference in tackling climate change, as 14% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from heating our homes.

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Boost the value of your home

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Homes with good ratings on their Energy Performance Certificate are in high demand, so insulating your loft could prove very profitable down the line.

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Types of loft insulation

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Storage space

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If you want to use your loft for storage, you’ll need to build a floor by laying boards over the joists. But to add an effective level of insulation between the joists and the new floor, there needs to be a gap of at least 270mm - meaning you’ll most likely have to raise the level of the floor to create enough space. To do so, you can either fit timber battens across the joists or install plastic legs to stand on the joists.

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You’ll also need to make sure there’s a gap above the insulation for ventilation to prevent condensation, and that the insulation isn’t being pushed down by the boards.

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Warm loft space

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An alternative option is to install insulation boards to fit the spaces between and over the rafters in your loft. Bear in mind that if you go down this route, you’ll need to hire a specialist, and it will be both more expensive and more hassle - as any chimneys, gable walls, and party walls will also need to be insulated.

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However, you won’t have to raise the floor if you want to use your loft for storage, plus it’ll make your roof space much warmer - so you won’t have to worry about your pipes freezing in winter.

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Turn your loft into a living space

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If you want to turn your loft into an extra bedroom or living room, you’ll need to hire a professional to insulate all of the walls and ceilings and install double glazing on any windows or skylights.

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Flat roofs

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Installing insulation on a flat roof isn’t something you should attempt yourself because it’ll need to be attached from above. Call a professional - it’s a tricky and invasive job that makes the most sense to start when your roof covering already needs replacing.

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Things to consider before installing roof and loft insulation

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What type of insulation do you need?

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Potential insulation materials include mineral wool, cellulose fibre, reflective foil, spray foam, hemp, and sheep’s wool. The type to choose will depend on factors such as whether you want to install it yourself, whether you want to use a natural material and your budget. 

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Is your loft damp?

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Before you can start adding insulation to your loft, you’ll need to make sure it’s free of damp, mould, or condensation, as insulation can exacerbate these issues.

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Is your loft easily accessible?

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If not, you’ll need to speak to a professional, who can use specialist equipment to blow the insulation into hard to reach places.

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Should you hire someone or do it yourself? 

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As long as you don’t have a flat roof, your loft is easy to access, and it doesn’t suffer from mould and condensation problems, it’s usually possible to save some money by insulating your loft yourself. Otherwise - or if you’d rather rest easy knowing it’s being handled by a professional - speak to a specialist.

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