Loft insulation

HarryConway

I just had a quote for loft insultation. The very nice chap went up into the loft and looked around and videoed the loft with his commentary. The house is about 22 years old, and i have owned for about 18 years. It has the original insulation which has discoloured from pink to grey on the surface through time. I was told we have a condensation issue and the best solution- the most expensive on offer, was to spray a product on the underside of the roof. However, we were very fortunate, there is a warehouse of surplus stock and we would qualify for a 35% reduction voucher. They have 500 vouchers - and 487 have been redeemed. We would have 2-3 days to decide to spend £7500 for this to be done. It all sounded very plausible with the inspection and discussion prior to the costings conversation.  My question is - doesnt all loft insultation discolour through time, and condensation will occur in all roof spaces? Is £7500 a vastly over expensive way to save a couple of hundred quid on a heating bill? Any advice folks? 

Swipe

Do NOT let them spray a product on the underside of the roof!!!!!!!! You will never be able to sell your house.

These sound like con artists. Run a mile. Wait a while and we'll all probably end up with huge subsidies for loft insulation again the way ECO trend is currently gathering momentum. Discoloured insulation is not an issue and will work the same as when it had full colour. These are charlatans and I'd pass that quote on to your local trading standards for their attention. Adding even more insulation will exacerbate your condensation problem (assuming you actually have one). You'll need more roof space ventilation.

QrizB

It's a scam. do not do it.

Norman_Castle

The very nice chap has created £7500 worth of work for himself and others that will benefit him but not you. Insulation may discolour but that won't affect its effectiveness. Condensation may occur in lofts, its quite common and often not a problem. Did you see any?

"Is £7500 a vastly over expensive way to save a couple of hundred quid on a heating bill?" YES!

I'd expect a 20 year old house to already be insulated to a decent standard, certainly enough not to need excessive work doing to it.

Advice? Say "No thanks". Repeat that every time they come back with a revised offer.

HarryConway

Swipe said:

Do NOT let them spray a product on the underside of the roof!!!!!!!! You will never be able to sell your house.

These sound like con artists. Run a mile. Wait a while and we'll all probably end up with huge subsidies for loft insulation again the way ECO trend is currently gathering momentum. Discoloured insulation is not an issue and will work the same as when it had full colour. These are charlatans and I'd pass that quote on to your local trading standards for their attention. Adding even more insulation will exacerbate your condensation problem (assuming you actually have one). You'll need more roof space ventilation.

 Thanks for the advice - why wouldn't we be able to sell the house? What is the issue with spraying insulation on the underside of the roof? 

[Deleted User]

Our house is a shade over 20 years. Insulation is to what I thought was 1995 standard. I bought the insulation rolls and brought it up to todays standard of whatever mm but is cost me several bales of insulation. But very important the roof was left ventilated as per construction. They vary. Not sure what I paid but less than 200 quid. I did it myself.

older insulation was discoloured but not a lot wrong with it apart from not enough for todays spec.

Swipe

HarryConway said:

Swipe said:

Do NOT let them spray a product on the underside of the roof!!!!!!!! You will never be able to sell your house.

These sound like con artists. Run a mile. Wait a while and we'll all probably end up with huge subsidies for loft insulation again the way ECO trend is currently gathering momentum. Discoloured insulation is not an issue and will work the same as when it had full colour. These are charlatans and I'd pass that quote on to your local trading standards for their attention. Adding even more insulation will exacerbate your condensation problem (assuming you actually have one). You'll need more roof space ventilation.

 Thanks for the advice - why wouldn't we be able to sell the house? What is the issue with spraying insulation on the underside of the roof? 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search?query=spray foam in loft&scope=site&Search=spray foam in loft

badger09

HarryConway said:

Swipe said:

Do NOT let them spray a product on the underside of the roof!!!!!!!! You will never be able to sell your house.

These sound like con artists. Run a mile. Wait a while and we'll all probably end up with huge subsidies for loft insulation again the way ECO trend is currently gathering momentum. Discoloured insulation is not an issue and will work the same as when it had full colour. These are charlatans and I'd pass that quote on to your local trading standards for their attention. Adding even more insulation will exacerbate your condensation problem (assuming you actually have one). You'll need more roof space ventilation.

 Thanks for the advice - why wouldn't we be able to sell the house? What is the issue with spraying insulation on the underside of the roof? 

Have a read of this recent thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6289331/spray-foam-loft-insulation-in-your-roof-2021

There are also lots of recent posts on the House Buying board re problems with getting a mortgage

grandadgolfer

HarryConway said:

Swipe said:

Do NOT let them spray a product on the underside of the roof!!!!!!!! You will never be able to sell your house.

These sound like con artists. Run a mile. Wait a while and we'll all probably end up with huge subsidies for loft insulation again the way ECO trend is currently gathering momentum. Discoloured insulation is not an issue and will work the same as when it had full colour. These are charlatans and I'd pass that quote on to your local trading standards for their attention. Adding even more insulation will exacerbate your condensation problem (assuming you actually have one). You'll need more roof space ventilation.

 Thanks for the advice - why wouldn't we be able to sell the house? What is the issue with spraying insulation on the underside of the roof? 

Don't waste your time reading about it........just take note what people have said....DONT DO IT

doodling

Hi,

HarryConway said:

Swipe said:

Do NOT let them spray a product on the underside of the roof!!!!!!!! You will never be able to sell your house.

These sound like con artists. Run a mile. Wait a while and we'll all probably end up with huge subsidies for loft insulation again the way ECO trend is currently gathering momentum. Discoloured insulation is not an issue and will work the same as when it had full colour. These are charlatans and I'd pass that quote on to your local trading standards for their attention. Adding even more insulation will exacerbate your condensation problem (assuming you actually have one). You'll need more roof space ventilation.

 Thanks for the advice - why wouldn't we be able to sell the house? What is the issue with spraying insulation on the underside of the roof? 

An increasing number of mortgage companies will not lend on properties with spray foam installed on the underside of the roof.

The reason for this is that whilst the foam might provide insulation, it also traps water in the wooden roof structure.  Normally, if there is a leak in a roof then the affected parts of the roof structure get wet when it rains and dry out again afterwards, usually this doesn't result in much damage.  If spray foam is installed then the roof structure never dries out and that means that it rots, if this happens then the whole roof (not just the tiles) needs to be replaced.  The spray foam is also likely to hide any leak so you never know that this is happening.

I wouldn't allow someone to install spray foam insulation in my house unless they paid me, in cash, upfront, 1.5 times the cost of a new roof.

FreeBear

Aside from promoting rot within the roof timbers and seriously affecting the resale value of your home, there is also the question about suitability. These companies that like to sell (scam) spray foam often make wild claims based on BBA certification. Whilst these products do have BBA approval, the certificates state that foam should not be applied between rafters in an unheated loft.

The same advice is given by the chemical manufacturers.... On that basis, any "guarantee" that you get will be worthless.

Spray foam insulation does have its uses when installed correctly. A cold roof is not the right place.

If you want to improve your loft insulation, go and get some top up rolls of glassfibre from B&Q or Wickes when it is on offer. £18 per roll will be a heck of a lot less than the £7.5K you've been quoted.