Converted loft - requires insulation - please help!

moob_2

We've stayed in our (rather unusual) house for some 4 years with little or no insulation in the loft - it is essentially the last in line of a huge number of improvements we've had to make.

The problem I'm having is that the entire loft is T&G floorboards - so the previous owner, at some point, installed some incredibly thin glass fibre insulation between the rafters. This is totally inadequate, as it's like 30mm thick. I therefore really need to improve this situation, especially as we have a little one on the way - want to try and retain the heat somewhat more.

I was going to enquire with one of the schemes run by the energy savings trust to get the loft insulated - but I fear that given our loft is partitioned off and therefore not a standard eaves installation - that we wouldn't be able to take advantage of the scheme - someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Should we not be able to get the scheme insulation done, can anyone suggest what type of insulation I should install and also what my best method would be to keep in in place in between the rafters?

Any help greatly appreciated.:beer:

ormus

if you get a man in (grant or no grant) you will have to lift the TG first. they wont do it.
or you can DIY.
the minimum now is 200mm or the new recommendation maybe 250mm?
http://www.diydata.com/projects/loft_insulation/loft_insulation.php
some advice here re typical insulating materials etc...

Airwolf1

11 inches is the new building regs. Be careful not to insulate right up to the wall plate or you won't get any air flow and damp will start kicking in. (Or ensure loft space is ventilated.

moob_2

Thanks but I was looking at getting the pitched roof area insulated - to stop the need to lift the T&G floorboards - that's way too big a job.

I didn't make myself clear, as for some reason I thought rafters meant the pitched roof area - silly me.

seven1969

Hi moob

I'm in the same situation as you. Our loft was converted a few years back B4 we bought the house but it wasn't insulated at all. Our son uses the loft as a bedroom and it gets mighty cold (and hot!) up there. It's been floored and plasterboarded.

We were going to buy Space Blanket and OH was planning on crawling along the eaves and shoving the rolls up into the roof space but I don't know if this is the best thing to do.

I searched the internet and B&Q do a service for £198 where you buy the insulation from them, they arrange for a free survey to be carried out then if your house is suitable, they arrange for the insulation to be fitted. They aim to do this within 28 days. If your house isn't suitable, they give you a full refund. I think it sounds like a fab deal so I plan to pop in tonight to ask them about it - they might only do it for empty loft spaces maybe, not conversions.

moob_2

Hey Seven,

I looked at that B&Q deal - it appears to be through British Gas - so the price is for a standard installation.

I have contacted the energy providers and it appears that a standard installation is for laying the insulation on the floor only, and only when the floor is uncovered.

It looks like this will be a DIY job for us both. From my understanding, you need to leave a 50mm gap between insulation and any board you place over it to allow for air circulation. I'm not planning to board mine out yet as the rest of the area is partially partitioned off with some stud walls. It's gonna be a tricky one methinks!

I'm considering using Kingspan as it's easier to cut to fit and won't fall out like the usual fibre wool stuff.

seven1969 wrote: »

Hi moob

I'm in the same situation as you. Our loft was converted a few years back B4 we bought the house but it wasn't insulated at all. Our son uses the loft as a bedroom and it gets mighty cold (and hot!) up there. It's been floored and plasterboarded.

We were going to buy Space Blanket and OH was planning on crawling along the eaves and shoving the rolls up into the roof space but I don't know if this is the best thing to do.

I searched the internet and B&Q do a service for £198 where you buy the insulation from them, they arrange for a free survey to be carried out then if your house is suitable, they arrange for the insulation to be fitted. They aim to do this within 28 days. If your house isn't suitable, they give you a full refund. I think it sounds like a fab deal so I plan to pop in tonight to ask them about it - they might only do it for empty loft spaces maybe, not conversions.

Lally

Our survey showed that we need insulation too, was also going to check out the government grant situation.

seven1969

[I'm considering using Kingspan as it's easier to cut to fit and won't fall out like the usual fibre wool stuff.[/quote]

I wonder about this stuff - I've got asthma and really don't want any more dust etc floating around the house (not that my house is particularly dusty!) which is why we're thinking about the Space Blanket stuff which you can buy in 4 m lengths. It's enclosed in foil backed plastic (?) and they advise not to cut it as this will release the fibres. If the rolls are too long you can fold the ends over. My OH thinks the roof space is about 4m so this should fit nicely but I'm more worried about the width. Standard width of Space Blanket seems to be 3700mm but knowing this house as I do, I can almost guarantee the space between the joists won't be!

I'll be steering well clear of the loft that weekend!

Good luck with yours. When are you planning on starting it?

seven1969

I never did that properly. :embarasse That was supposed to come up as moob's quote.

Oh dear!

moob_2

seven1969 wrote: »

I wonder about this stuff - I've got asthma and really don't want any more dust etc floating around the house (not that my house is particularly dusty!) which is why we're thinking about the Space Blanket stuff which you can buy in 4 m lengths. It's enclosed in foil backed plastic (?) and they advise not to cut it as this will release the fibres. If the rolls are too long you can fold the ends over. My OH thinks the roof space is about 4m so this should fit nicely but I'm more worried about the width. Standard width of Space Blanket seems to be 3700mm but knowing this house as I do, I can almost guarantee the space between the joists won't be!

I'll be steering well clear of the loft that weekend!

Good luck with yours. When are you planning on starting it?

Had a look at my joist gap - its about 38cm, to space blanket will do the job, its only £6 a roll at B&Q just now, so I might forget about the Kingspan due to it's size issues with getting it up the loft - not to mention the cost!

Might have a go this weekend.

27col

If you are proposing to get the pitched roof area insulated you are wasting your time and money, unless you are going to be living up there. If you are, then the floor would need to be strengthened.. All you are doing is a adding huge volume to the existing volume of your house. Any heat retained by the insulation will be in the roof, above your habitable rooms. The only practical way to insulate the house is is to lift the boarding and to add the insulation where it can do the most good. Once you have a few boards up the rest will probably come up without too much trouble.