How do you insulate a loft with joists?
If access is easy and your loft joists are regular, you can use rolls of mineral wool insulation. The first layer is laid between the joists – the horizontal beams that make up the floor of the loft – then another layer is laid at right angles to cover the joists and make the insulation up to the required depth.
How much does it cost to insulate a loft?
Insulation in the rafters allows you to keep warmth in the roof space as well. Loft insulation for an average 3-bedroom, semi-detached house with gas central heating can start at about £50 for DIY installation 2. This means it could take less than a year to pay for itself, thanks to lower energy bills. Why is loft insulation needed?
Should I use rigid insulation board for my loft?
If you do decide to use rigid insulation board, then you will still need to use chipboard if you want to walk on it. One issue that arises from insulating the loft space just above the ceiling (i.e. in the joists) is that the loft space itself will become incredibly cold.
Can you stand between joists in loft?
As a final warning, never stand between joists otherwise you will more than likely come through the ceiling which is never ideal. Using a board supported by several joists is the best way of working in the loft area regardless of whether you are insulating the joists or the rafters.
Should insulation go over joists?
Insulating between the joists of your loft will keep your house warmer, but make the roof space above colder. This means pipes and water tanks in the loft space could be more likely to freeze, so you will need to insulate them.
Can you lay loft boards directly onto joists?
You can still board directly on to the joists if you want, but it is worth noting that this would not pass a building control inspection, because you wouldn't have the full 270mm depth of insulation required by regulations. Whatever you do, make sure you put as much insulation beneath the boards as possible.
Can I lay loft insulation over boards?
Yes you can most certainly overlay and additional layer of insulation over the chipboard. I would leave the insulation short at the eaves though to ensure there is adequate ventilation in the loft space. This would most certainly improve you homes thermal performance during winter months.
Do you need a gap between insulation and loft boards?
Gap between insulation and loft boards If using rigid insulation boards to insulate your loft there must be a gap between the roof covering and the insulation to allow air to circulate. This prevents any build-up of warm air that could lead to condensation.
Does squashing insulation stop it working?
Can cause damp – as standard boarding is placed onto the joists of your roof, this will inevitably squash your insulation, which stops it from working and will cause condensation to build up as it doesn't have room to breathe.
Do I need permission to board my loft?
'Do I need planning permission for a loft conversion?'; no you do not, as long as you stay within the building limits.
Can you put too much insulation in your attic?
It's possible to over-insulate an attic as too much will cause moisture buildup and eventually result in mold. Eventually, adding more insulation leads to diminishing returns in trapping heat as well.
Is 400mm loft insulation too much?
We'd recommend everything in moderation. While some people argue that an over-insulated house could cause damp, mould and other issues. Typically, upping your loft insulation from 270 mm to 400 mm isn't really going to make a big difference, and so it's probably worth sticking with the lesser amount.
Can you lay insulation over electrical wires in attic UK?
Yes, you absolutely can. You can lay insulation around the junction boxes as well. Making sure that the insulation is of a fiberglass material will not only ensure a fireproof setup but also reduce airflow from the home through the attic.
Should I insulate the underside of my roof?
You should only install cold insulation if you have an unfinished attic and plan on keeping it that way. Warm insulation is installed on the underside of the roof deck at the top of the attic, just below the roof decking.
Is loft insulation too thick?
The thicker the insulation, the more effective it is at keeping heat from escaping through your roof. However, if your insulation is too thick, your house may have ventilation problems and be susceptible to damp, condensation and mould related issues.
What is the best way to lay loft insulation?
0:342:36How to Lay and Fit Loft Insulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart at the eaves. Making sure you leave a slight gap to allow air to circulate. About twenty-fiveMoreStart at the eaves. Making sure you leave a slight gap to allow air to circulate. About twenty-five millimeters will do then roll out towards the center.
How do you lay loft boards on joists?
4:338:03How to Board a Loft | ADVICE | Homebuilding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart at a convenient place such as the loft hatch. And work out from there screw the first loft legMoreStart at a convenient place such as the loft hatch. And work out from there screw the first loft leg into position by driving the four screws through the base. And into the joist.
Can you use loft boards as floorboards?
yes they can be used, no problem, although personally I hate them as they are nigh on impossible to lift without damaging.
What is the cheapest way to board a loft?
The main approaches are: Laying chipboard directly on the joists. This is cheap and can be done by an expert DIYer. This doesn't leave any room for the recommended insulation depth of 240-270mm, though.
Does chipboard flooring have to join on a joist?
Chipboard should be laid lengthways across your joists, with the long edge of the board against the wall. You should align the board to allow for a 10mm expansion gap between the edge of the board and the wall.
Why is loft insulation needed?
Fitting insulation in your loft, attic or roof space is a great way to improve your home’s cosiness factor. And there’s even more good news: it lasts for more than 40 years! This means it should pay for itself many times over in energy bill savings, as the cost of loft insulation is comparatively low.
What is loft insulation?
Loft insulation is a barrier of material in your roof space that traps heat. It can either be laid between the joists (the horizontal beams along the floor of your attic) or the rafters (the angled beams that support the roof).
What is the best way to work in a loft area?
Using a board supported by several joists is the best way of working in the loft area regardless of whether you are insulating the joists or the rafters.
How to measure loft space?
After you have cleared bulky objects you can see the area more clearly on what you can insulate. When measuring your loft space you need to start with the following: 1 Take a measuring device and measure the whole area of your loft (this is simply the width multiplied by the length). 2 Take into consideration the thickness you want to insulate to and if there is any pre-existing insulation in place, we recommend using 300mm if using wool insulation and 150mm if using the rigid insulating boards like Celotex or Kingspan. 3 Measure the width of your joists – for example our wool insulation comes in two widths 380mm and 570mm – the idea is you go for the one that is closest to width of your joists so it minimises cutting. 4 Measure the height of your joists – normally this is about 100mm. This means that if you are looking to insulate to a depth of 300mm in total, you will first lay down a layer of 100mm thick wool between the joists, then use 200mm thick wool laid across the joists at a 90 degree angle.
How wide is wool insulation?
Measure the width of your joists – for example our wool insulation comes in two widths 380mm and 570mm – the idea is you go for the one that is closest to width of your joists so it minimises cutting.
What to use to keep loft from itching?
A disposable mask. The protective overalls, gloves, goggles and mask are really worth using – the mineral wool insulation most people tend to use to insulate the loft is incredibly itchy, so making sure your skin is covered is a good way of avoiding this. Using sheep wool insulation is another way to get around the itch issue.
How to make a loft more visible?
Ensure good lighting in the loft to provide decent visibility to help you do the work.
Can you use rigid insulation board as loft insulation?
Using rigid insulation board as loft insulation. Some people may prefer to use rigid insulation board to insulate the loft space – for example Celotex or Kingspan – the process is pretty similar to above, although you will need less depth to achieve the same insulation levels (than mineral wool).
Can you insulate a loft above the ceiling?
One issue that arises from insulating the loft space just above the ceiling (i.e. in the joists) is that the loft space itself will become incredibly cold. During very cold weather the temperature could even become sub-zero, which if you have water tanks in the loft, could be a big issue!
Robandlaura2008
i'm going to be insulating my Bungalows loft and am going to be using the large, subsidised blankets you get from DIY chains and to save time can I just lay them over the rafters rather than cut and squeeze them between them.
mointainwalker
What you suggest is fine. Just don't roll the blanket to the very edge of the eaves as you still want air to come in above the blanket to ventilate the roof=space.
DIYnot Local
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
What to consider when installing insulation in loft?
Things to consider when installing loft insulation. Storage space. If you plan to use the loft or attic for storage, you will want to lay boards over the joists. Unfortunately, if you only insulate between the joists before doing this, the insulation won’t be thick enough.
How does loft insulation help?
Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is an effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills. Installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its 40-year lifetime.
Why do you need to leave a gap between insulation and boards?
It’s important to leave a ventilated air gap between the insulation and the boards to prevent condensation on the underside of the boards. Make sure you don’t squash the mineral wool when you fit the boards on top, as this will reduce its insulation value. Damp lofts.
Why do you insulate the ground floor?
Insulating your ground floor is a great way to keep your property warm, as well as lower your energy bills and emissions.
Do you need a professional installer for a flat roof?
In cases where there are damp problems or a more complex insulation system is needed , a professional installer should be used. Flat roof insulation always requires professional insulation and damp roofs require professional assessment before work can be carried out. Pipes, water tank and loft hatch.
Can you insulate a flat roof?
It is possible to insulate a flat roof from underneath, but this can lead to condensation problems if not completed correctly. Installing flat roof insulation could save you similar amounts on your heating bills to loft insulation. The savings will vary depending on how much of the property has a flat roof. YouTube.
Does insulation make a loft warmer?
Insulating between the joists of your loft will keep your house warmer, but make the roof space above colder.
How to Install Loft Boarding Over Insulation?
You may be wondering how to install boarding when deep quilt insulation in installed. Do you squash it down and screw the boards to the truss/joists? Do you remove the insulation? Or is there a better way?
How much weight can a loft hold?
All lofts in new build homes will have been designed to carry storage loads of 25Kg per square metre plus the weight of a person walking in the loft (BS 6399-1:1996).
How much heat is lost in an uninsulated home?
Heat rises, and at least 25% of it is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home (energy saving trust).
Can insulation be placed over downlights?
Don’t place insulation directly over downlights . Use a downlight cover such as a Loft Lid before rolling insulation over the fittings.
Can loft boards be installed directly to joists?
Don’t install loft boards directly to joists or trusses.
Can you put loft board over quilt insulation?
Placing loft boarding over insulation is an easy process and is essential if you want both storage and for your quilt insulation to work at its optimum performance. With the correct products, such as Loft Legs, this is easy and cost effective too.
How should insulation be positioned?
The method of installation matters too. New insulation should be positioned so that it is perpendicular to your existing joists.
What does it mean when your attic is poorly insulated?
A poorly insulated attic means an energy-inefficient home. In the winter months, warm air escapes from your living quarters into the attic and out of the house. In the summer months, warm air builds up in the attic and invades down below. Hot air is always seeking cold air. Insulation is the best way to keep it where you want it.
What to do if insulation is wet?
Energy Star advises as follows: “If it… appears that the insulation [is wet or] has previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair the problem to prevent a reoccurrence. Remove any wet insulation. Wet insulation can lead to mold, mildew, or even the rotting of your ceiling or roof rafters.”
Is insulation good for cold air?
Hot air is always seeking cold air. Insulation is the best way to keep it where you want it. If you haven’t been up in your attic lately (or ever), you might be in for a surprise. Insulation doesn’t last forever, nor is it impervious to weather, moisture, or mold. If your home isn’t maintaining the steady and stable temperatures you’d prefer – ...
Can you put insulation over existing insulation?
Wet insulation can lead to mold, mildew, or even the rotting of your ceiling or roof rafters.”. In fact, you can add new insulation over the existing installation in other areas of your home, not just the attic. And you don’t even have to choose the same material used in your existing insulation. Rather, you should decide on the material ...
Should insulation be replaced?
Insulation that is very old, damaged, and not performing well should be completely removed and then replaced with all-new insulation.
Can I Add New Insulation Over Old Insulation All By Myself?
There is a right way to add new insulation over old insulation… and plenty of wrong ways too. Despite what you might read online, it’s not necessarily an easy “DIY” job.
