Yet another post on loft insulation

avantra

We are in a bit of a pickle!

Some background first, apology if it is a bit long.

Me and my darling wife are renting this lovely Cotswold’s 17th century cottage on a very long base rental term (this place is constantly rented since 1944!).

The loft area is about 30 met/sq and is fully timber boarded (it was last used for living when the ministry of war rented it to host some friendly German POW's).

It is completely flat and the structure is very solid and sits on huge oak beams. I think they over engineered buildings back than.
At the moment there are old carpets on the floorboards and loads of old cardboard boxes.

We asked the landlord to insulate the loft, but he is a bit tight (old farmer) and asked us to do it on ourselves. Well we are paying well under rental rate usually asked for in this part of the country so we don’t have a problem with this.

Now, what will be the best way of doing this? The roof itself got some insulation, it is dry and cool and it is not drafty at all thanks to rock wool stuffed at the edges.

Should we just buy B&Q wrapped insulation (sealed type) or should we think of something else, the Farmer offered us loads of sheep wool which he was about to burn anyway, should we use this instead with some cardboard boxes on top?

Thank you for any thought.:rolleyes:

Max and Janet.

Ken68

Sheeps wool, Avanta, most definately.
And I think the eaves area in the loft are meant to be left uncovered. Don't know why but read it somewhere.
And as mentioned in another post, cardboard has a good insulating factor and free except for the glueing together of several sheets. Perhaps with a still air gap in between layers.
Wrapped insulation is expensive compared to the ordinary rock wool. Is the loft used for living, otherwise cardbaord first then the wool, maybe have to disinfect first. Link to follow on wool insulation.

avantra

No no one live in the loft (well the woodlice is..), just our extra stuff in some boxes and some German grafitty on the beams.

The Sheep wool is cleaner than the loft itself mind you. How many layrs of cardboard should we use? We have about 50 empty computer size boxes in there.

The eaves are not completly sealed, there is some space for the wind to come in and the place is airy enough, I hate un sealed rock wool, I need my lungs for future use thank you:rotfl:

Ken68

http://forum.downsizer.net/viewtopic.php?t=27807&highlight=wool+insulation

and of course, Google Wool Insulation.

Would be better if you could stuff the wool under the boards then cardboard would lay better and loft still useable. You want cardboard that has the crinkly inner and glue several layers together. Subject to burning, tho you could use fire retardent paint. Best check with fire brigade. But then the wool would burn anyway.
Edit...sealed rockwool is probably grantable (and moveable).

sandieb

I believe that your landlord would be able to claim the Landlord's Energy Saving Allowance in respect of loft insulation:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2004/revbn31.htm

Seakay

"Raw" fleece may be attractive to bugs - see message from hardworking hippy here: http://www.newbuilder.co.uk/forum/index.php?DATEIN=tpc_qkycufjvy_1124453545
also suggestions here: http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=464

It seems a shame to deprive yourself of a boarded attic, you may find it useful in the future; would it be possible to lift boards, insert the wool and then replace the boards?

Cardew

Seakay wrote: »

It seems a shame to deprive yourself of a boarded attic, you may find it useful in the future; would it be possible to lift boards, insert the wool and then replace the boards?

I have exactly this dilemma. I have a boarded loft which had insulation inserted before the boards were laid.

However at the time(20 years ago) 2" of insulation was considered ample - I got 4" and really that is as much as you can get between my joists.

These days people suggest 8"-10" and I, and I suspect many others. do not have that depth between their joists. There is little point putting extra insulation in and crushing it with boards, as it is the air in the wool that provides the insulation - like a duvet.

avantra

We don't need the loft for living even if it is boarded, just for storage. I think we will go with a 5" cardboard layer and than top it all with the wool, farmer landlord say he is not on speaking terms with local council ever since they asked him to stop drive his cows on the village main road. so no grants for him thank you.:D

Ken68

Good one Avanta...not so long ago on BBC' Look East' a disgruntled farmer took his muckspreader to the town hall and gave 'em a good dose. My sort of guy.

sandieb

avantra wrote: »

We don't need the loft for living even if it is boarded, just for storage. I think we will go with a 5" cardboard layer and than top it all with the wool, farmer landlord say he is not on speaking terms with local council ever since they asked him to stop drive his cows on the village main road. so no grants for him thank you.:D

No sure if by grants you are referring to my post concerning the Landlord's allowance, which is a tax allowance of up to £1500 - nothing to do with the local Council. It was just a thought.

Ken68

Hi Av....you could use cardboard fruit trays from a supermarket, fill them with sheeps wool. Then stick together and wedge in then top with cardboard, add another layer. Wool bats..moveable. Maybe they would take storage weight on top of that.
Edit...and a cheap fire retardant could be water based emulsion paint, tho tests would need to be done, or check with fire brigade.