Loft Insulation

Insulating your loft can save your home as much as 20% on your energy bill - see it as an investment rather than a spend.

The good news is that the Government has made funding available to help people keep their homes both cosy and energy efficient. Learn more about Green Grants.

Find out about other ways to keep the heat locked in, such as Floor Insulation, Water Tank Insulation & more. Also see our videos on How to Insulate your Home & How to Save Energy in your Home.

What you Need to Know

Loft insulation stops the rising heated air from the rooms below from escaping. Fibre-type insulating material traps this warm air. Loose fill insulation materials are very poor conductors of heat so form a near resistant barrier to keep the heat in.

Mineral Fibre or Fibreglass Matting

Mineral fibre or fibreglass matting is usually available in rolls of 400mm (16in) wide. Thicknesses range from 100mm (4 in) to 200mm (8 in). In the UK, the total thickness of insulation should be at least 200mm (8in) to be fully effective.

When installing this insulation, the weave should not be over stretched or compressed as this damages its ability to trap heat. It's a fairly straight forward task, but protective clothing must be worn to handle this material.

Benefits

• Can be installed by most DIY enthusiasts.
• Offers sound absorption.
• Fast installation time.

Loose-fill

Usually made of mineral wool or cellulose fibres, loose-fill loft insulation is generally a job best left to a professional. It's ideal for use in areas where access is difficult or when the use of mineral wool quilt is impractical.

Benefits

• Normally based on natural material such as paper.
• Material forms a complete blanket leaving no gaps.

You can also buy DIY Loose-fill insulation - it's sold in bags and is simply poured between gaps to the required depth. Usually made of vermiculite, this material is completely natural and environmentally friendly

Benefits

• Easy to apply and is especially useful for areas where joists are irregularly spaced.
• No fitting and cutting involved.

If you'd rather call in the professionals to insulate your home, see Builders.

To make your home even more eco-friendly, see our Energy Saving Tips - there's a number of ways you can reduce your energy bills without too much bother. To spruce up your double-glazing, book a Glazier.