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With energy prices going through the roof – no pun intended – it’s time to ensure that your roof can help you to reduce your energy costs. Keeping your roof in good order is an excellent starting point, and our cleaning and inspection service will help you keep on top of any problems before they become serious.
Insulate your loft
As we all know, hot air rises and research suggests that about 25% of the heat generated by your boiler will be lost through your roof. Insulation in your loft will reduce your bills significantly and could save as much as £250 a year in the average-sized UK house.
You can install some types of loft insulation yourself, but it can be a big job, and a professional installer will be able to do it more effectively than the average layperson.
Insulation material should be laid in the loft to a depth of at least 270mm for maximum benefit. It should be laid between and over the joists of the roof to create a thermal bridge. Insulation should also be used to lag any water tanks or pipes in the loft. Your loft hatch should also be insulated and draught-proofed for the best results.
Types of Insulation
Blanket loft insulation
Blanket loft insulation comes in rolls of foil-backed felt, rock, glass, wool, or mineral fibre. It can be tricky to fit this bulky insulation into small or inaccessible corners. It is relatively easy to install yourself as long as your loft is a regular size and shape.
Loose-fill loft insulation
Loose-fill is made from lightweight materials such as cork granules or cellulose fibre. The most eco-friendly varieties use recycled newspapers. Loose-fill is easy to place in oddly shaped corners and is a good option for increasing the bulk of existing insulation. However, it is unsuitable for draughty lofts as it can become dislodged in draughty conditions. When installing, you will need to wear protective clothing and use safety equipment, so it is not as straightforward for the amateur as blanket insulation.
Blown-fibre loft insulation
As the name suggests, the insulation is blown into the gaps between joists. Blown-fibre insulation is strictly a job for a professional and can be expensive, but it does provide the solution for complicated roof spaces with hard-to-reach corners.
The government is currently offering grants to some householders to help them to insulate their lofts. You can find more details here.
Loft ventilation
It may seem counterintuitive, but it is also essential to ensure that your roof is not entirely sealed off from the outside air. Ventilation is vital in an insulated roof. Water vapour from the kitchen and bathroom will find its way into your roof space, however many corners you seal. Every time you open the loft hatch or walk around in your loft, you spread water vapour on your breath. Insulation material can act like a sponge and cause condensation damage to your ceiling beneath. If there is too much moisture in the air, it could encourage the wooden material of your roof structure to rot.
There are usually either running vents or circular vents in the soffit boards around your roof. We can check these for you and keep them clear of debris and moss during roof cleaning, ensuring the required air exchange.
Get a free quote
Prevention is always better than cure. Our regular cleaning and inspection service will help keep your loft free of pests and unwanted visitors. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
We provide roof cleaning services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire.
Improve a Roof will provide you with an entirely free and no-obligation roof cleaning quotation.
We also offer complementary services to further enhance your home.
Call us NOW on: 0800 046 9686
