At a time when homeowners all across the country are struggling with rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis, it’s important to try and think of ways you can save money on your monthly outgoings.
Adding insulation to your attic or loft can help keep your house warm during the colder months and help bring your energy bills down. By creating a thermal barrier, you can stop the heat from escaping through your roof and keep your home at a more manageable temperature.
Below are a few of the best and most efficient practices you should follow to ensure you have insulated your loft space as well as possible:
Top things you should consider before insulating your loft
Ventilation: If you are carrying out work in your loft and deciding to better insulate it, you need to be aware of the importance of proper ventilation. Make sure that your loft space has proper vents or airbricks to allow air to flow freely through the space.
As the insulation will stop the warmer air from reaching your loft through the floorboards, you may find that the loft itself stays cooler. This could make any potential damp or condensation worsen, so make sure that ventilation is available to help mitigate this potential problem.
Storage: If you are planning to or already use your loft space for storage, you will need to make sure that you properly insulate between any joists before fitting them. To increase the insulation, you could raise the floor level and insert layers of mineral wool. Be sure to leave gaps in between to help ensure adequate ventilation, and use an expanding foam filler like this product found here to seal any gaps and holes between the boarding.
Creating a living space: Many people choose to convert their loft or attic into a living space. Make sure that all of the walls and ceilings are properly insulated, including around any window frames you may install.
Converting a loft and making sure it’s efficiently insulated is something that should be left in the hands of professionals however, and not something you should consider doing as a DIY project if you don’t have any previous experience.
Picking the right type of insulation
There are several types of loft insulation you can choose from. The safest bed would be the traditional blanket insulation, which is easy to fit yourself. If you wanted to opt for sheet or blown fibre insulation, this is something you would need to speak to a professional company about fitting in your home.
If you are installing blanket insulation, make sure your loft space is well-lit and that you have adequate support from the boarding to keep you safe. It’s also worth making sure you have all the tools you will need to complete the job ahead of time, such as a small knife, dust masks, glue and a tape measure.
The above are just a few handy tips to help you insulate your loft space and take the first steps towards cutting down your energy bills and helping to keep your home comfortable and warm during the colder winter months.
