How To Install Loft Insulation

When it comes to loft insulation in the UK by far the most popular option is to use the traditional fibreglass blanket. There are alternatives, such as vermiculite, but a fibreglass blanket is both cheap and easy to use.

Once you have measured up and nipped down to the local DIY superstore for the rolls of fibreglass you are ready to begin. If you are laying the material prior too or as part of, a loft conversion, the first thing to do is to ensure that there is adequate light to work by.

An easy way around this is a by connecting a car inspection lamp to a first floor socket – making sure that wandering family members and stray pets don’t trip over the extension cord and break their necks.

And talking of breaking necks. Do take care when working in the loft. If you are insulating the roof space simply to save energy or as a preparation for a full blown loft conversion – remember not to step off a joist. That loft floor is of course the ceiling of your house and may as well be made of rice paper if you put your weight on it. And, yes, I am speaking from experience.

Being there, done it and bought the tee-shirt. Believe me. The sight of your teenaged daughter doubled up with laughter as her father hurtles feet first through the plasterboard is something you won’t forget or live down quickly.

The moral of the story? Stay safe and use some boarding placed on the joists as a temporary floor.

When laying loft insulation other safety measures are also essential. Googles, hat, mask and gloves are important and make sure your arms are covered.

The fibres on the loft insulation are horrendously irritating if they make contact with your skin and, of course, the mask is essential so that you don’t inhale any of the dust which will envelope you as you work.

The good news is that once you are suited and booted actually laying the stuff is easy. Working to a depth of 150mm simply begin at the furthest end of the loft and unroll the material between the joists.

loft insulation

The rolls of fibreglass loft insulation are usually standard to fit the space between the joists and the only thing you really need to remember is to ensure that any electrical wiring runs along the joists – never lay the insulation material on top of the wiring.

Laying the rolls is similar to laying turf in the garden – just butt the ends of each roll to the other and carry merrily along to the other end of the loft making sure that the blanket does not block the ventilation from the eaves.

All that remains is to fit an off-cut of the fibreglass to the loft hatch. Secure in place with old cotton sheeting or similar material tacked to the hatch itself and that’s the job jobbed.

For ease of reference the term ‘fibreglass’ blanket has being used throughout this article though the material could also be mineral or rock fibre.

For information on fitting reflective foil insulation for the link for the article below.

Related Articles

An Overview Of Loft Insulation

Reflective Foil Insulation

Thermal Insulating Material

Loose Fill

What Is Vermiculite?

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Acknowledgement

Photography on this page by Stephen Moretti