Loft insulation and storage

aquilaM

We are planning to get our loft insulation within the next few weeks. We do use the loft for storage, but this is only christmas decorations bags of my lo old clothes, and an old pram (incase of a lo 2). In other words not much.
When to guy came out he recommended we dont use the loft for storage once its insulation is increased to 10 inches-it is currently 4inches.
What does every one else do ? Would love any help on this.
I hope it makes sense as i am typing this and trying to stop my toddler playing with the christmas tree.

cattie

You could consider having part of your loft boarded & use that area for storage.

When I had an assessor in to advise on insulation for my home, he told me that it was ok to store a just a few light things on top of insulation.

grumbler

Other more expensive solutions:

1. Use more expensive materials. For example, this:
Each layer is 'Equivalent to 55mm Polystyrene'

or this:
Effective Thermal Resistance 6.1m² kW (don't ask!)

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?ts=34677&id=101893

2. Rise level of boarding.

adr0ck

you can still use your loft for storage when its insulated........just get it boarded out in bits......or just throw some timber up........to raise the height..........even if insulation is not same thickness because youve got stuff ontop of joists.......its still insulated a bit...by the thickness of insulation youve already got there and by whatever it is your storing

[Deleted User]

We are having ours raised from 2" to 11" in a few weeks and like you we use it for storage. So bf is going to raise some of the timbers 7" up with more timber then lay the old boards back on top. The guy who came round said not to lay anything on top of the insulation as that defeats the purpose.

We are getting our through a government grant thing, £300 worth of work for £99!! Very MSE

thehairybuilder

If your insulation is being raised from 4" to 10" it sounds as if the current insulation is glasswool and the guy is simply rolling out another layer of 6" on top . If this is the case DO NOT LET HIM . Hey , buy the glasswool insulation & do it yourself . As I say , it`s simply rolling out a roll of this ;
http://www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/output/products/page_319.html
onto top of existing floor

Obviously then as the glasswool is so high you cannot lay boards on top to act as a floor as they have nothing to support them .

Alternatively , uplift existing insulation and replace with something 75mm thick like this which has equivelant insulation value to 10" glasswool ;
http://www.xtratherm.com/uk/structural%20products.htm

You can then lay boards on top of joists and use as storage


Is this making sense or am I rambling on now . . . . . :rolleyes:

safesound

cattie wrote:

When I had an assessor in to advise on insulation for my home, he told me that it was ok to store a just a few light things on top of insulation.

Who did you use to assess the insulation? I'm considering having it done but wouldnt know who to ask for advice.

tomstickland

Effective Thermal Resistance 6.1m² kW (don't ask)

Hey, you've got me going now. I was looking at the insulation that I was helping a friend lay the other week and noticed that the packet had a thermal conductivity value and a "k" value. I'm off to read up what they mean now.

Maximillion

Reccomend you have a look see at Warm Front Scheme in England factsheet, you might be eligibe for a grant;

http://www.direct.gov.uk/Bfsl1/BenefitsAndFinancialSupport/BenefitsAndFinancialSupportArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10018661&chk=MjGOPK

aquilaM

Safesound, I contacted scottish power and they recommended me to a local insulation firm who are doing the work for £99. They did our cavity wall insulation for £99 also.
Thanks for the advice everyone, my husband is going to relay the existing boards on a raised platform above the joists for storage space (thanks bailey!). He is really looking forward to that!!
The ideas about using more expensive isulation (thinner but just as effective) seem quite expensive when you consider we are getting it installed for £99.
We are going to be cosy for winter!!

cattie

safesound wrote:

Who did you use to assess the insulation? I'm considering having it done but wouldnt know who to ask for advice.

I've had mine done through the Warmfront scheme as I qualify through being on disability benefit. They send an assessor out to see what your home needs to make it energy efficient.

The website to check out if you qualify is https://www.eaga.com

I know some local authorities have low cost schemes if you don't qualify for this, so it's worth checking out if there is something in your area.

The assessor who I had has said my home is now 85% energy efficient, which he said was very good. He told me from next year homes need to have some kind of energy rating, which I've not heard about, so not sure if this is so.