Loft Conversion Insulation

Insulating a loft conversion can often be complicated, so ensure that insulation requirements are considered throughout the process of planning your loft conversion. As loft conversions are typically being converted into a habitable room, the converted space should satisfy building regulations for thermal efficiency, which state 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 being required to satisfy 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 will save on your energy bills. The most challenging element of insulating a loft conversion is typically the constrained space. Space saving insulation methods are in many cases found in loft conversions as these will provide good insulation despite being very thin. When planning a loft conversion, be sure that there is sufficient space available for both the conversion itself and the required insulation, as the insulation will lower 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 might have to comply with a different U-value than the surrounding pitched roof.