Loft Conversion Insulation

Insulating a loft conversion can sometimes be complicated, so make 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 habitable room, the new space will need to meet building regulations for thermal efficiency, which identify 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 needing to fulfull a different value to pitched ones. As with insulating many areas, it is often cost effective to insulate past the building regulations requirement as it can help save on your energy bills. The trickiest part of insulating a loft conversion is often the restricted space. Space saving insulation materials are often used in loft conversions as these should provide good insulation despite being very thin. When planning a loft conversion, verify that there is sufficient space designed for both the conversion itself and the specified insulation, as the insulation will influence the ceiling height of the converted room. Dormer windows and rooflights will need to be insulated adequately. These areas require extra care when planning insulation, particularly with flat roofed dormer windows, as these may have to comply with a different U-value than the surrounding pitched roof.