Although it may seem like a mundane task, ensuring you have adequate insulation for your loft rafters is an important job. Not only is it important because it will keep your home toasty warm this winter, but it will also help you to save money on your utility bills and is kinder to the environment. Even if you have existing insulation, it’s still worth assessing whether what you have in place is sufficient.
Can I Fit Loft Roof Insulation Myself?
Yes, it’s perfectly possible to fit loft roof insulation yourself. You do need to ensure that it’s easy to access your roof space though; that there are no damp or condensation problems, and that our loft joists are regularly spaced. If these circumstances do not apply to your loft or you live in a period home, you may need to enlist the help of a professional contractor.
How to Fit Loft Roof Insulation?
If you believe you are able to fit the loft roof insulation yourself then there are several steps you’ll need to follow.
First things first, you’ll need to clear your loft of anything stored up there. Clean the space between your rafters by vacuuming between them. Check for any cracks, dry rot or other damage to your rafters and the roof membrane. If there is anything that causes concern, seek professional advice and help to repair it immediately.
Once you’ve laid the ground work you will then need to measure and leave a space of approximately 50mm between the roof and the insulation material. This is to allow air to travel freely between the two otherwise it could lead to damp and condensation. To do this, use treated timber as battens to fix to the sides of the rafters using a nail gun.
Once done, you can then fit the layers of wool insulation material between the rafters. Start at the top, stapling the material to the side of the rafters on each side. Continue to do so until the whole space is covered.
Depending on how deep your rafter space is, you may be able to fit two layers of 100mm thick loft roof insulation into the space. You may need to secure it in place with a layer of netting over the top, to stop parts falling off. If you want to neaten the overall look, you can do so by fixing a layer of plasterboard over the top and painting it.
How does Loft Roof Insulation Work in a Loft Conversion?
Loft conversions need insulating for exactly the same reasons that an inhabitable loft needs insulation. It’s also a very similar process, in that the insulation is placed between the loft rafters, and then usually an insulated plasterboard is used to fix it in place.
It’s always best practice to have your rafters insulated at the time of having your loft converted. Of course, any specialist loft conversion company will include loft roof insulation as standard.
If you have a loft which was converted without the help of a specialist loft conversion company, it is possible to fit it in retrospect but it is costly and may not be advisable to fit it as a DIY job. If you have found yourself in this situation, get in contact with an experienced loft conversion company to see if they are able to fit the rafter insulation for you.
If you’re ready to have your loft converted – with the correct level of loft roof insulation of course – get in contact with Bespoke Lofts. We are able to provide you with a no obligation quote to ensure that your loft is warm, toasty and habitable as a fully converted loft conversion.