Insulating Flat roof

fiddiwebb

Looking for cost effective advice about insulating a flat roof above my daughters 15 x 12 ft bedroom which is quite cold in the winter time, we do have a radiator in the room run from a woodburner which is located in the living room but the bedroom is still quite cold.

I don't own the property and live there as part of my job, the flat roof area was built in the 70s but with no insulation installed, I believe the roof was refelted about 10 years ago before we moved in but they did not install any insulation then!

As I want to spend the minimum amount trying to insulate as it is not our property what would the most economical way to do this.

Would it be okay to insulate under the existing plasterboard ceiling by nailing/screwing battens and fitting insulation and then plasterboarding or tearing down the existing plasterboard ceiling, insulating under the flat roof and replasterboarding?

If I create a suspended ceiling would there be problems with condensation?

ormus

if you are going to do it diy, then it makes sense to rip off the old ceiling first. the materials cost will be much the same, just a bit more work & mess.

savemoney

Cheapest solution is to get some sempatap thermal and paste it on the ceiling its recommend by the energy saving trust. It comes in large rolls around £150 although some councils give a discount

illzlee

or, create an inverted roof. If the felt is sound you could lay insulation board on top and cover it with chippings. This can then be easily removed if the landlord requires - would probably still require landlords consent tho.

fiddiwebb

Thanks for the ideas, the sempatap thermal sounds interesting or at least it would be the cheapest and easiest option.

Anyone used sematap before?

How effective is it and can you decorate over it i.e wallpaper?

savemoney

The sempatap is 10mm thick you paste it on with they glue the provide. Its foam with one side that is stiffer which is the side that faces you. You can past wallpaper on or paint I believe

http://www.mgcltd.co.uk/Products/Thermal_and_Acoustic_Insulation/SEMPATAP/

Kiran

The best option for thermal insulation, if you are going to take the existing plasterboard down, is to friction fit the foil backed kingspan insulation sheets inbetween the roof joists and then board over the top.

The semetap would probably be a faster option though, as long as the landlord didn't get funny about it.

Good luck with whatever you choose

savemoney

Kingspan is good but it does take more space and inst cheap either although probably cheaper than semetap. Surely landlord should do something, i know that landlords now have to be issued with a insulation certificate should they put it back up for rent

http://www.houseladder.co.uk/Property_News/2008/09/Landlords_urged_to_insulate_their_properties_1212.aspx

According to councillor Kate Kravis, west Somerset Council's portfolio holder for housing and wellbeing, owners of rented properties can claim back up to £1,500 worth of insulation costs per property in their portfolio.

fiddiwebb

Hmmm, had a look at Sempatap Thermal and not totally convinced, not cheap either £150-£170 a roll.

I'll have a look at Kingspan.

I have no problems with the landlord/owner who are a good lot, they have done quite a bit already to the property including fitting double glazing , the property is rent free as it goes with my job but it is located about 50 miles North of Inverness and it can get a wee bit chilly in the winter!

Danny5319

I've never been much of a fan of the inverted roof for retro fit jobs. Say there's already an underlying problem with the felt (not unusual), you could potentially have a leak within a short space of time and be forced to remove all that ballast etc to carry out a repair. True an inverted roof should greatly prolong the life of the covering as it offers protection from the elements etc, but, it's very hard to accertain what usefull life may be left in the felt. Could be months, could be years?