Keeping heat inside your property is essential, especially for those looking to save money on rising energy bills, and there are many ways to achieve a warmer home, including wall and loft insulation. Insulating your loft is quick and easy with great quality products on the market that help to prevent heat loss. Better still, as soon as the insulation is laid, you start saving money on those bills, so the effect is an instant one.
Nevertheless, this will only be the case if you choose the right type of insulation. As any disaster cleanup company will tell you, some insulation types are more prone to ice and water damage than others, as well as plenty of other issues. We have seen many soaked drywalls because of water seeping through the roof and then the attic insulation.
There are many insulation materials and techniques on the market, which is why you need to narrow down your search effectively. To give you a helping hand, we’ve listed the different types of loft insulation below.
Spray foam
There is only one place to begin and this is with spray foam/lcynene. This is undoubtedly one of the best types of insulation on the market today. It offers outstanding levels of performance and durability, ensuring sustained energy prevention, as well as improved air quality and the prevention of mold. This means you don’t have to worry about repairs or replacements. There are many types of loft insulation that have been linked to health issues, but lcynene is not one of them. In fact, it has the opposite effect. You can also minimize noise from external sources and improve the resale value of your home. Finally, and probably most importantly, you can reduce your energy bills by up to 50 percent.
Blown insulation
Blown insulation typically comes in cellulose or fiberglass. Avoid the latter at all costs. Fiberglass insulation comes with many problems, and it very quickly loses its effectiveness. Most reputable insulation providers do not offer fiberglass. However, this is available via funded government schemes. You are advised to stay away from these; while they may be cheap or even free of charge to install, they will cost you much more money in the long run. Cellulose blown insulation is light and convenient, and good for insulating areas that are difficult to access, but it’s not recommended for draughty lofts and can be expensive.
Batt or blanket loft insulation
This is probably the most common form of insulation. It features rolls of mineral fibre, glass, rock, or foil-backed felt. It’s popular because it is easy for homeowners to install themselves and it’s good for places that are accessible. However, they can pose problems, as these rolls are difficult to fit in around obstructions or in small spaces. They can also irritate the skin, so if you do install them yourself, you need to be protected.
Loose-fill insulation
Mineral wool or cork granules are two materials that are widely used when it comes to loose-fill insulation. In direct contrast with blanket loft insulation, this has the benefit of being easy to fit around obstructions or joists that are irregularly shaped. It is also good because you can top up existing insulation as time passes. On the flip side, draughty lofts are not suited to this form of insulation, as it can easily become loose.
