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Much of a house's heat is lost through the roof, so when you carry out a loft conversion the choice and installation of insulation is obviously very important.
Extreme changes in temperature occur in the loft space throughout the year and that affects the comfort of the rest of the house.
Proper insulation in the loft space will deal with that.
Good insulation will also reduce the noise during the construction of the loft conversion.
And insulation is an important component of the building regulations.
In order to comply with the building regulations the type of insulation to be used must be specified.
So it is in your own best interests to be aware of the minimum
standards the regs demand before putting in your building regulations
application.
Urethane or Polyisocyanurate roof insulation is often used for
insulation in a loft conversion. It comes as a rigid foam and is covered
in foil.
The foam is a very effective insulating material. Just 30mm of this substance is a better insulator than a brick wall.
However, it is recommended that the insulation should be a minimum of 150mm to 200mm thick. That will reduce heat loss by a fifth.
Apart from the statutory requirement to insulate your loft conversion, the reduction in heat loss, and subsequent reduction in heating bill, will eventually more than recompense your initial outlay in cash.
A more commonly used material is the fibreglass blanket (pictured above).
Fibreglass blankets come in rolls and are relatively easy to fit Fibreglass is a very useful insulation material.
It can also be used as insulation for the cavity walls in the loft.
However, it throws off a lot of dust and fibres, so when working with fibreglass you should wear a face mask, protective goggles and gloves.
You should also keep your arms covered to avoid skin irritation.
Another form of insulation for your loft conversion is loose fill.
Using loose fill insulation is simply a matter of pouring the material in the space between the joists and floor of your loft.
Loft conversion insulation is not only a building regulation requirement, it also makes sense.
It will help reduce the heat-loss through your roof, keeping everyone in the house snug and warm in the winter and during those cold nights.
For more info see the related pages below
The Importance Of The Thermal Envelope
So What Is The Best Loft Conversion Insulation To use?
Structural calculations for loft conversions are of course hugely important to ensure safety and that the proposed plans meet building regulations
What is the difference between planning permission and building regulations approval for loft conversions ?
Using And Fitting Loose Fill Insulation In Your Loft