Loft Insulation - Best Type and Tips for Installation

L Reid · 2003-09-28T11:36:41+00:00

Hi guys,More drama from the new property...I need to insulate my loft. As we don't have a loft hatch, father-in-law andI proceeded to cut one yesterday (in to a ceiling lined with 2 inches ofpitch, that was very messy... and I thought sanding floors was bad!). As theceiling was plasterboard (suspended below the old plaster lathes), theceiling's obviously been replaced at some point so I have no idea why itdidn't already have one.Anyway, the house is about 120 years old, with a slate roof. There is nounderfelt under any of the slates, just the slanted timber. The house is anEdinburgh colony type, so has the bedrooms partially in the loft space (i.e.there's areas of sloping roof above bedrooms without a lot of clearance Ineed to get insulation down into). I don't want to lift the pitch that'salready there, as this would probably be incredibly messy.As the loft is currently uninsulated (bar the pitch, which I believe isactually quite good as an insulator?) I'm after suggestions on how thick aninsulation I should get, and what kind would be best. I had a scan throughprevious threads, and believe I also need to put down some damp-proofing?I'm also after suggestions on how to get the insulation down the 'lopingbits'. Current plan is to slide a plank or two down over the pitch thenslide the insulation down over it, then remove the planks, though there maybe a better way to do it.I currently have no access to the eaves at the moment, so may be unable toadd insulation there. I'm not too worried about the eaves at the momentthough as the downstairs rooms are fairly warm, it's just the bedrooms thatare cold.Any tips / suggestions? Any advice on insulating the loft hatch would alsobe appreciated as it's in a bedroom.Thanks,Leigh

Sep 28, 2003 22 Replies

Rate this thread:

IMM 22 years ago

The eves

Good idea.

If they have hollow walls then yes.

Then your walls were too thick. Don't use cavities.

Vote

N. Thornton 22 years ago

Unlined slate roofs let in quite a bit of water, as you say. To dry out they must also let in the wind. You therefore should not be using any type of insulation that doesnt let the wind go through it, such as vapour lined boards. Trap water like that and you've got real problems.

Of course this limits how much insulation value you can get in there, but thats secondary to the roof staying up.

I could take a guess at loose fibreglass being suitable, but being unclear about the construction details it would only be a guess. Anything more substantial would need to be applied to the interior. But, even 4" or 6" of fibreglass makes a big difference.

Regards, NT

Vote

IMM 22 years ago

If the roof is coming off it is best to fit a warm roof and be done with it.

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required