Polystyrene blocks for cheap loft insulation???

PabloNeruda

The loft insulation in the house I bought last year is really old and tatty looking and a bit of a mess. I have decided to get this re-done. I think I remember seeing a programme once where they insulated the loft using polystyrene blocks. Has anyone heard of this? If not, what about shredded paper?

wobbley

The phrase 'Fire regulations' springs to mind.
Your choices are;-
You can increase the risk of a fire starting and burning to death by using shredded paper. or-
You can risk being poisoned by noxious fumes in the event of a fire by using polystyrene.
I would recommend sticking to 'proper' fibreglass insulation in a domestic roofspace.

ormus

both make great cheap insulating material.
however, think about the fire risk! the rodent/insect risk! and your insurance company!
i just wouldnt bother. get the correct stuff from wickes etc. and just do it.
it aint that expensive and pays for itself very quickly.

Doozergirl

It's pretty standard pratice to use polystyrene panels as insulation for floors im new build but I don't know whether it's comparably cheaper than regular loft insulation as they are actually specially made for the building trade and widely accepted as a way of doing things

I'd have thought that proper loft insulation is easier to trim around joists etc and you can wedge it into gaps easier making your house more 'energy efficient' than the panels would.

We're renvovating a house right now and they'd made false walls and filled it with those little polystyrene bits that used to be used for packing and look a bit like pasta shapes! That was a surprise :rotfl:

Mikeyorks

My dormice would love either option, and even revel in the old carpets some people use. And it would probably stop them chewing the cables / extractor pipes, for a while.

But regret post #2 is 100% correct and safety is an issue. Use the proper fibreglass

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I would also think that your first 2 suggestions would be a fire hazard. :eek:

Get the proper stuff, you may even be entitled to a grant, or some assistance from electricity company or council, for energy efficiency, have a look here, might save youself some money.

Good luck.

ritesh

PabloNeruda wrote:

The loft insulation in the house I bought last year is really old and tatty looking and a bit of a mess. I have decided to get this re-done. I think I remember seeing a programme once where they insulated the loft using polystyrene blocks. Has anyone heard of this? If not, what about shredded paper?

Hi PabloNeruda

I think the polystyrene blocks might be called Jablite or possibly even Kingspan (celotex). However, I too would strongly advise using standard loft insulation as mentioned by others. Shredded paper is definitely a big NO NO!!

ormus

i shouldnt worry too much about burning to death. its very rare.
(except for witches of course).
you will die from the smoke/noxious fumes first.

Mutton_Geoff

Check your energy suppliers website. Most are doing grant assisted loft insulation. I priced up doing my BTL flat and the cost of EDF doing it was the same as buying the insulation on it's own from Wickes.

As it's pretty nasty stuff to handle, I'd rather someone else did it even at cost. With the grant effectively covering their labour charge, I'll just let them get on with it.