Loft Conversion Insulation

Insulating a loft conversion can often be difficult, so be sure that insulation requirements are taken into consideration throughout the process of planning your loft conversion. As loft conversions are frequently being changed into a habitable room, the new space will have to meet building regulations for thermal efficiency, which establish a U-value for the amount of heat loss through an area. These values are set differently for walls, floors, windows and roofs, with flat roofs required to meet a different value to pitched ones. As with insulating many areas, it is generally cost effective to insulate past the building regulations requirement as it can save on your energy bills. The most difficult aspect of insulating a loft conversion is usually the limited space. Space saving insulation materials are frequently used in loft conversions as these should offer 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 required insulation, as the insulation will have an effect on the ceiling height of the converted room. Dormer windows and rooflights will have to be insulated adequately. These areas require extra care when planning insulation, especially with flat roofed dormer windows, as these might have to conform to a different U-value than the surrounding pitched roof.