How to buy loft insulation Fitting loose-fill insulation
Loose-fill insulation works well in inaccessible spaces
Loose-fill loft insulation is made from light materials, such as cork granules or even recycled newspaper, which is evenly spread in the gaps between the joists.
Loose-fill insulation material comes in bags, and because you simply pour the material from the bag to lay it, it's a fairly easy task to complete yourself – but make sure your loft is properly prepared first.
Fitting loose-fill insulation
Work out the floor space in square metres – you'll need approximately 200 litres of material to cover each square metre to a depth of 200mm.
Before laying the material, ensure the space between the joists is relatively dust-free and that the depth of the joists is sufficient to hold an acceptable level of loose fill insulation.
The material should be poured between the joists in the roof space, ensuring there are no cracks or holes in the ceiling. Brush or rake between the joists to ensure the fill is level.
If you're not fitting boarding over the loose fill, check the level of the material during winter months as high winds can unsettle loose fill insulation and blow it around the roof space.
To insulate a loft hatch, it's best to use blanket material held in place by plastic or an old sheet.
When is loose-fill loft insulation suitable?
Loose-fill loft insulation works well in hard-to-reach or awkwardly shaped sections, or is a suitable top-up material if your loft has some insulation already.
Consult an electrician to deal with any electric or rewiring issues
Loft insulation preparation tips
Even if you're not fitting loft insulation yourself, you still need to do some preparation before the work takes place.
Clearing your loft
You’ll usually need to clear your loft before the professional loft insulation fitter arrives.
Wiring
Wiring needs to be dealt with safely. Wires should be kept above the insulation but not stretched if they don’t comfortably reach. An electrician will be able to re-route any problematic wiring – see our guide to hiring an electrician.
Pipes and tanks
Pipework and tanks in the loft should also be insulated correctly, as less heat will be escaping into the loft and protecting pipes from freezing.
If in doubt
Insulation must be installed following the manufacturer's instructions to achieve the full benefit. If you're unsure about any aspect of insulating your loft, you should contact a professional insulation fitter.
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