What To Consider When Getting Roof Insulation?

If you notice that the temperature is uneven in your home and the rooms are feeling draughty, it may be worth considering having roof insulation installed. Poor insulation can lead to all sorts of serious problems in a property, and if these issues get worse, you may regret that you didn’t act fast enough in resolving the problem.

Why Roof Insulation?

Uninsulated homes lose up to 25% of heat through their roofs, so if you’re looking to fix heat loss issues, insulating the highest part of your house is a good place to start. Having roof insulation installed will provide you with the following benefits:

Huge Savings

With quality insulation, you can greatly reduce the percentage of heat that is lost through the roof, and keep it inside your house instead. This means you will use less energy on heating your home, and that equates to saving more on your monthly energy bills.
Eco-Friendly

While you reduce your energy consumption, you’re also minimising your carbon footprint. Because the use of energy through heating or cooling generally can have adverse consequences for the environment, having a quality insulant in your roof that effectively minimises heat loss, and therefore carbon emissions, can be an effective, sustainable solution for your home.
Added Value for your Home

Apart from creating an eco-friendly and energy-efficient home for you to live in, quality insulation also helps boost the structural integrity and durability of your roof.

Also, a high energy-efficiency rating can earn you a tax credit and increases your home’s resale value if you decide to put it on the market in the future.

Factors to Consider when getting Roof Insulation Installed

Firstly, you can expect that there will be variations in prices when you’re searching for the right insulator for your roof. It’s always a good idea to set a budget beforehand so you know what you can and can’t afford. Prices differ depending on the type of insulating materials used when these solutions are installed. The thickness of the insulation is also a factor when it comes to cost; a thicker layer of insulation will be more effective, but will also be more expensive.

Each type of insulation has its own pros and cons, and it helps to carefully consider each before you decide which is right for you. Certain insulators are better at trapping heat in your home, and may be more preferable, albeit more expensive.

The type of insulator that you choose must also suit your home and the conditions in your area. Depending on the typical climate conditions in your part of the country, it might be better to opt for a ceiling insulator instead.

If you live in an area where temperatures are generally mild all year round, it’s best to choose roof insulators that will keep your home cooler. On the other hand, if you live in an area which suffers from harsh winters, then ceiling insulators may be better for keeping the house warm.

Also, you should take into account the type of roof your house has when you’re making your decision.

Roof Type

Roofs generally fall into two types, flat or pitched. When you’re considering what type of insulator to get, bear in mind the type of roof you have as well.

Pitched Roof Insulation

A pitched roof is one of the most common types of roofs on residential properties. When insulating a pitched roof, there are many suitable insulators for you to choose from.
Flat Roof Insulation

A flat roof is a less common type of roof for residences. If you have this type of roof, then you definitely need some form of insulation since they are more susceptible to harsh weather conditions.

In addition, flat roofs may pose a danger due to their structure. Water can easily build up on a flat roof, resulting in leaks, mould growth, and, in worst case scenarios, structural damage to your roof.

With the best insulation for flat roof structures, you can help reinforce the building as well as use waterproof materials that will help prevent moisture problems.

No matter what insulator you decide to have, we recommend that you leave the installation to a professional to maximise the results and greatly reduce the loss of heat in your home.

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation is a current good alternative to traditional insulation types. It is extremely versatile and can be used in a multitude of areas, including the roof, walls, and crawl space of your house.

You can use spray foam to insulate even the hardest to reach places with ease, because it quickly fills every nook and cranny that it is sprayed into. The material expands right up to the edges when it fills an area, providing a virtually airtight seal.

This air barrier is the major difference that sets spray foam apart from other types of insulation. In addition to its thermal benefits, the air barrier prevents the mixing of cold and warm air within your living space, greatly reducing the risk of condensation and mould. This, in turn, extends the lifespan of your home and protects your belongings inside.

Where to get the Best Eco Spray Foam Systems?

If you’re looking to invest in roof insulation, get in touch with us at Spray Foam today. We are Icynene-accredited quality insulation providers who offer bespoke insulation services across the entire United Kingdom.

Spray Foam have been delivering premium quality products and expert services for over two decades. We provide the latest technological insulation solutions for modern-day applications and are certified users of the Icynene spray foam product, which is one of the newest insulating technologies on the market today.

To find out more about roof foam insulation cost, ask queries about our products and services, or get our free insulation survey for your residential or commercial property, get in touch with us by dialling 0203 411 5188.

You can also ask any questions you may have via our online contact form at www.sprayfoam.co.uk/contact.html. Our friendly team of experts here at Spray Foam are ready to provide advice and guidance on the best insulation solutions for your home.

FAQs

What is the best insulation for roofs?

If you have a flat ceiling and pitched metal or tile roof, batts or blanket insulation are great choices. The range of batts and blankets that are suitable for your ceiling insulation include versions made from polyester, natural wool, glass wool, and rock wool.

Should you insulate roof rafters?

It isn’t typically recommended that you insulate between rafters or beams, because attic spaces should be ventilated and the insulation you install there will lie between two unheated spaces. Instead, you should add insulation to the floor where it will be more effective.

What thickness should roof insulation be?

The recommended depth of blanket style, glass, or mineral wool insulation for a loft is 250 to 270 mm. If you have already had insulation installed, but it was several years ago or more, then it’s worth checking the depth of the product you have. Just a few years ago, the recommended depth of warm flat roof insulation was 200 mm, and before that, it was as low as 100 mm, so your existing insulation may not be as thick as it should be.

How effective is ceiling insulation?

Effective ceiling insulation is your best barrier against extreme weather conditions and can help save you up to 20% on heating and cooling energy costs. For most Victorian homes, there will already be some form of canopy shield. However, chances are, it’s been there for a long time and so it’s no longer as functional as it should be.

What is the most effective insulation?

If you're remodelling your current home, spray foam is the best insulation option for maximum energy efficiency. You can also opt to spray loose-fill cellulose or fibreglass into existing structures.

Can I insulate the underside of my roof?

If you’re trying to decide between the floor or roof as the best way to insulate your unused attic, the right answer depends on what you intend to do with the space. If you have plans to furnish your attic in the future and use it as an additional living space, you may opt to insulate the pitched roof and have it as a ceiling leakage defense at the same time.

Can insulation touch the roof?

Covering up the soffit vents with loose-fill or batts is a huge no-no as the material blocks airflow, which keeps your roof cool and prevents ice dams. For the same reason, insulation shouldn't touch the underside of your roof— instead, staple plastic or foam baffles to the roof sheathing to keep the material away.

How do you insulate a roof with exposed rafters?

You can sandwich a layer of aluminium multifoil insulation or rigid foam between your finished ceiling if the structure doesn't need to be well-insulated. Place the sheathing layer on top of the insulation and secure it with nails into the rafters.

What type of insulation is best for an attic?

Many insulation experts believe that fibreglass or mineral wool is your best choice for attic insulation. Loose-fill fibreglass attic insulation still experiences convection, but not nearly as much as the old types of fibreglass did.

About Roof Insulation

The type of insulation that you should choose depends on the type of roof that you have. You have two options if you have a pitched roof (warm or cold loft insulation) and three options if you’re after the best insulation for flat roof (warm deck, cold deck, or inverted roof).

The simplest and most affordable type of roof insulation is the classic cold loft option, while the warm loft insulation option is also available as an alternative.

You can always consult a professional to help you decide which type of roof heat protection will work best with the kind of roof and home you have.

Advantages of Loft Insulation

The benefits that you can get from having loft insulation include:

Energy Saving

Installing loft insulation is a great way to minimise your heating bills while making your home more comfortable. You may have to pay the initial roof foam insulation cost at first, but in the long run, you will benefit from savings that will off-set this.

Protection that Lasts

Unlike traditional types of insulation that settle and shift over time, the roof insulation foam we use remains in situ and adheres to every surface, providing you with an adequate blanket of long-lasting protection.

Insulating a Roof: All you need to know

Insulating your roof is one of the best and easiest of all the energy-saving home improvements that you can make. Mineral wool rolls are affordable, and an entire warm roof insulation in a standard home can be done on a budget of as little as just over £200.

The impact it will have on your energy bill depends on the size of your roof, but it should be a priority task if you don’t currently have any loft insulation at all.

A Guide to Loft Insulation

Most lofts are insulated with rolls of foil-backed felt or mineral fibre. They work like blankets and retain the warmer air inside your house.

To stop the heat from rising into your loft, insulation is placed between the joists. This type of insulation, referred to as “cold loft”, is quick and easy enough that you can do it yourself.

However, if you have a loft conversion and you want to keep your loft warm, insulation can be fitted to the inside of your roof. This process, referred to as “warm loft insulation”, is a bit trickier to do and is therefore best left to professionals.

How to Insulate your Renovation

Upgrading your property’s thermal efficiency when renovating it is a good way to enhance your heating system’s performance and will help you save a considerable amount on bills.

Insulation and fabric performance are important elements to consider during any renovation project. It’s estimated that around a third of the heat escapes through a structure’s poorly prepped walls, and the rest through ill-fitting windows, doors, and lofts.

Although it’s tempting to spend more money on aesthetics and decoration when renovating your property, that’s often a false economy. Paying for the best insulation for flat roof structures you can afford will improve the functionality of your home! Call us today for a quote.