Different Types of Loft Insulation: What You Need to Know

In the current economic climate, it’s essential for us all to do what we can to keep energy bills as low as possible, and we at The Loft Doctor are here to help!

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of reducing your gas and electricity bills is to insulate your loft. This insulation stops heat from escaping through the roof of your property and can save up to £225 a year!

If you’re new to loft insulation, it’s important to remember that there are several types of loft insulation, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

What types of loft insulation are there?

You may be familiar with some of the materials used in loft insulation, like mineral wool and fibreglass. However, loft insulation comes in a variety of different installation methods too.

Blanket

The most commonly seen type of loft insulation, blanket insulation (or batt insulation), comes as a roll. Blanket insulation is an affordable way to keep your house warm and is easy to install. However, the rolls are bulky, meaning they must be cut down to size before installation.

Sheet

Sheet insulation comes as rigid boards. These boards are ideal for installing over loft roofs as they’re easy to handle and can be cut to the right shape. If you’re working on a loft conversion, you can also cover them with plasterboard, so they look aesthetically pleasing. However, this type of insulation is expensive compared to the others on this list.

Loose fill

Loose-fill insulation comes in a bag and is poured into the space that needs insulating, making it ideal for unusually shaped lofts. The downside of this insulation is that you must prep the area thoroughly beforehand to ensure there are no holes or cracks for the loose fill to escape from. It’s also not ideal for draughty lofts unless you’re boarding over the insulation to keep it in place.

Blown fibre

Blown fibre is similar to loose fill in that it’s a flexible material that can be used in a range of unusually shaped and sized lofts. However, unlike loose fill, this insulation is blown into place using a specialist machine. This means blown fibre can be installed quickly and efficiently, although this is reflected in the price.

Do I want a cold loft or a warm loft?

This may sound like a silly question, but the answer will affect the type of insulation you use in your loft.

If you plan to use your loft as a living or working space (for example, you want to convert it into a home office), you’ll want your loft to be warm. This means adding insulation under the roof to make your loft space warm and cosy. Insulation sheets are ideal in this scenario.

If you don’t plan to spend much time in your loft, you can insulate the floor of your loft using blankets or loose fill. This keeps your house warm but makes your loft chillier! This is a more cost-effective solution if you don’t mind your loft being cold.

Loft insulation for different roof types: which is right for my needs?

If you want to insulate your sloping loft roof, sheet insulation is the easiest option. It’s easier to insulate a flat roof as you can either use sheets or insulate in the same way you would a loft floor. Whether it’s sloping or flat, it’s important to insulate all of your roof. If there are any gaps, you lose the benefit that insulation brings.

How much loft insulation do I need?

It depends on the following: • The size and shape of your loft • The type of insulation you choose • The finish you want • If there is already any insulation in place. It’s generally cheaper to make existing insulation thicker than it is to start from scratch If you book your loft health check with us, we can calculate how much loft insulation you need to make energy savings.

Get your free loft health check and see which type of insulation is right for your property

Still not sure what type of insulation is the right option for your home? Why not take advantage of our free survey and health check?

We’ll look at the condition of your loft and recommend what you can do to improve heat retention and save on your energy bills. Don’t worry if you don’t have a loft ladder; we’ll bring our own!

Give us a call on 0800 844 5253 or email neil@loft-doctor.co.uk to book your no-obligation loft health check today.