Loft insulation enclosed in plastic/not "fluffy" - does it exist?

cashferret

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I'm trying to arrange loft insulation for my elderly mother. She told me that she doesn't like the old stuff that's up there because it crumbles to the touch and produces a nasty dust. She says she'd like some stuff that I think she's seen somewhere that is enclosed in plastic even when it's laid out.

I've phoned both B&Q and the insulation installing company we had lined up to visit her and neither recognise her description of this stuff. Does anyone know what it is? I'm wondering if she has misunderstood a description of something she saw in a DIY store a while back or something.

closed

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=5012061107548&x=17&y=17

B&Q sell space blanket

Unless she's planning to spend a lot of time up there, does it matter?

Lotus-eater

Yes you can get it, I have it, bought mine from Focus if it helps, although that was years ago.

With an old person, you get grants for the whole amount I would have thought. They install it, so you won't have to touch it at all.
Does that help?

Davesnave

Even if it has a plastic wrapper, the space blanket, or whatever, must be perforated to allow some air to percolate through, or else condensation would build up on the underside.

I'm saying this because this is a gardening forum and someone might have the idea of using polythene to cover their old, dusty loft insulation. Not a good plan.

cashferret

closed wrote: »

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=5012061107548&x=17&y=17

B&Q sell space blanket

Unless she's planning to spend a lot of time up there, does it matter?

Thanks, closed - I had a look at this Space Blanket stuff on their website before I phoned B&Q but they didn't mention it when I asked about stuff being enclosed in plastic (once it's laid, obviously, not the packaging!).

I'm trying to talk her out of ever going up again but she worries about other people maybe having their health affected or possible resale of the house issues.

cashferret

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Yes you can get it, I have it, bought mine from Focus if it helps, although that was years ago.

With an old person, you get grants for the whole amount I would have thought. They install it, so you won't have to touch it at all.
Does that help?

Thanks - I'll have a look on Focus's website. I think she's seen it recently somewhere. We had got her lined up for getting insulation for free but then she said she'd rather pay if that meant she could have this special stuff. Maybe we can pay a bit extra by buying our own but still have them do the work for free. Once I've tracked down the stuff I can start negotiating!

cashferret

Davesnave wrote: »

Even if it has a plastic wrapper, the space blanket, or whatever, must be perforated to allow some air to percolate through, or else condensation would build up on the underside.

I'm saying this because this is a gardening forum and someone might have the idea of using polythene to cover their old, dusty loft insulation. Not a good plan.

That's interesting - I'll check that out if I can find the stuff. Thanks!

cashferret

Oh! Have just read the description of Space Blanket on Focus's website and it says:

Space Blanket range is a premium encapsulated product made with ECOSE Technology Space Blanket can be used between 400mm ceiling joists or on top of existing insulation The sleeved encapsulation is a part metallised polythene film that reflects heat and makes it easy to install.

So it does sound as though it's not going to fly about all over the place. I wonder if can breathe, though, like Davesnave was suggesting would be important? I suppose they wouldn't sell it if it didn't?

closed

Normal mineral wool is fine, won't affect resale values at all, it's what everyone has already, space blanket just makes it easier on the hands during installation, you may as well get the free installation, she's worrying over nothing, it's in the loft out of the way.

cashferret

closed wrote: »

Normal mineral wool is fine, won't affect resale values at all, it's what everyone has already, space blanket just makes it easier on the hands during installation, you may as well get the free installation, she's worrying over nothing, it's in the loft out of the way.

My sister emailed to say she thinks she has persuaded her - convinced her that she never need go up in the loft again once we get everything down for her and that the plumbers etc. who might go up there encounter the same stuff in everyone else's houses.

That will be a relief not to have to deal with the B&Q system for getting stuff installed, which is weird -you pay £200 up front, they send someone round to check out your house, if it's unsuitable they refund you, if it's big they charge you more, and before you even make the £200 payment you are specifically allowed no clue whatsoever about timescale. Awful system. The free installation thing is totally upfront about timescale, as well as being free.

Davesnave

I think loft insulation today is much friendlier on the lungs and skin than the stuff used back in the 70s, which your Mum might be remembering. I was simply cautioning anyone from thinking that laying polythene over old fibreglass insulation would be a good way to avoid irritation. Space blanket, such as the one I use on my greehouse plants, actually has minute holes, so I'd imagine any used as backing for insulation would be similar.

Condensation issues are, of course, worse in winter time in a badly ventilated loft and/or above places like upstairs bathrooms. In my last house, I painted the ceiling above the bathroom (on the loft side) with bitumen paint, which certainly helped.