Loft Conversion Insulation

Insulating a loft conversion can often be tricky, so be sure that insulation requirements are considered throughout the process of planning your loft conversion. As loft conversions are frequently being converted into a habitable room, the new space must fulfil 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 meet a different value to pitched ones. As with insulating many areas, it is regularly 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 generally the restrained space. Space saving insulation materials are in many cases found in loft conversions as these should offer good insulation despite being very thin. When planning a loft conversion, ensure that there is adequate space available for both the conversion itself and the specified insulation, as the insulation will affect the ceiling height of the converted room. Dormer windows and rooflights must be insulated adequately. These areas require extra care when planning insulation, particularly with flat roofed dormer windows, as these could have to satisfy a different U-value than the surrounding pitched roof.