Loft Conversion Insulation

Insulating a loft conversion can often be tricky, so be sure that insulation requirements are taken into consideration throughout the process of planning your loft conversion. As loft conversions are generally being converted into a usable room, the modified space should satisfy building regulations for thermal efficiency, which define a U-value for the rate of heat loss through an area. These values are set differently for walls, floors, windows and roofs, with flat roofs required to satisfy a different value to pitched ones. As with insulating many areas, it is normally cost effective to insulate past the building regulations requirement as it will help save on your energy bills. The hardest facet of insulating a loft conversion is generally the restricted space. Space saving insulation materials are frequently used in loft conversions as these will provide good insulation despite being very thin. When planning a loft conversion, be sure that there is enough space available for both the conversion itself and the mandatory insulation, as the insulation will influence the ceiling height of the converted room. Dormer windows and rooflights need to be insulated adequately. These areas require extra care when planning insulation, particularly with flat roofed dormer windows, as these could have to fulfl a different U-value than the surrounding pitched roof.