Loft Conversion Insulation

Insulating a loft conversion can often be tricky, so ensure that insulation requirements are considered throughout the process of planning your loft conversion. As loft conversions are typically being changed into a usable room, the new space should fulfil building regulations for thermal efficiency, which specify 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 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 can help save on your energy bills. The hardest element of insulating a loft conversion is typically the restrained space. Space saving insulation materials are in many cases used in loft conversions as these will offer good insulation despite being very thin. When planning a loft conversion, check that there is ample space available for both the conversion itself and the required 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 attention when planning insulation, particularly with flat roofed dormer windows, as these may have to fulfl a different U-value than the surrounding pitched roof.