Loft Insulation
Loft Insulation
The Energy Saving Trust has stated that without insulation you could be losing as much as 15% of your heating costs through your roof. Loft insulation works like a blanket and stops rising heat escaping through your roof and your home should have a loft insulation depth of approx. 270mm to gain the maximum benefit in terms of heat loss and CO2 reduction.
Insulation is simply laid over the floor of the loft – between and then over the joists if they are visible, and is a project you can do yourself. However, thanks to government incentives, energy companies have some great offers on loft insulation to both homeowners and private tenants from as little as £199. You may be eligible to receive a grant for the full amount if you are either aged 70 or over or on one of the following income or disability related benefits:
- Income Support Housing Benefit Council Tax Benefit
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance Disability Living Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include constant attendance allowance)
- War Disablement Pension (which must include the mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance)
- Pension Credit Disabled Persons Tax Credit Child Tax Credit (where income is £15,592 or less)
- Working Tax Credit (where income is £15,592 or less)
Loft insulation coverage guidance
| House Size | Total M2 |
No insulation, install 270mm |
50mm existing, add 220mm |
100mm existing, add 170mm |
150mm existing, add 120mm |
10mm top up | |
| Coverage (m2) bag | 2 | 2.2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 5 bed detached house | 90 | Number of bags | 38 | 32 | 25 | 17 | 14 |
| 4 bed detached house | 70 | 30 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 11 | |
| 3 bed bungalow | 60 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 12 | 10 | |
| 3 bed semi detached | 50 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 8 | |
| 2 bed semi detached | 40 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 6 | |
| 2 bed terrace | 35 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
House size can vary dramatically. The home owner should identify the actual dimensions of the loft and relate this to the m2 figure and thickness required.
Water tanks and pipes in the loft area are also vital part of loft insulation installation. The insulation materials are fitted surrounding the pipes and tanks in order to protect pipes from losing heat and prevent from freezing. Each type of insulation material comes with specific set of instructions guided by manufacturers and you should follow these instructions and recommendations to ensure 100% effectiveness of insulation.
