Green Streets - Forum categories

We're trying to work out how best to spend the Green Streets project money, and there is a big argument to say a new boiler, or other large-scale measures are silly  without having the full compliment of loft insulation.  For some people, we know it would be very impractical to think of normal insulation for the loft, because of the loft being full of stuff, with boards, for example, but we've looked into other options, and found this stuff, which you can use a staple gun to staple to the rafters.  
 

This on e-bay is much cheaper than Wickes (£1.68/m2) etc. Single foil is cheaper than double but not as thermally efficient.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALU-FOIL-LOFT-INSULATION-DOUBLE-SIDED-50MSQ-HANDY-PACKS-/300425514520?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item45f2c18e18  
 
It will really improve the insulation of your house, though not as good as the rolls of course.  If people could clear a little path through their stuff, perhaps they could consider this kind of product?  One of our families tried it in a previous home and found it very good.  Anyone else have experience of it?
 

Hi Jenny,

As far as I understand it, insulating the rafters is generally only worth while for properties that use the loft space as a room. If this space is only used for storage then I would urge you not to inulate the rafters but insulate between the floor joists at the floor level instead. The reasons are two fold:

1. If you insulate the floor of your loft space the heat from below will stop at this level. If you insulate the rafters then you will be heating that loft space too. It is not economical to be heating this additional space if it is only used for storage.

2. The above wouldn't be so bad on its own; however, your loft space will actually be ventilated at the eaves (nearly all lofts are). I believe this is to allow a free flow of air within the loft space to prevent damp rotting your wooden roof structure. If you are heating the loft space and insulating the rafters then all the heated air in the loft space will quickly be replaced by cold outside air (meaning your boiler will be working very hard).

The best way to insulate the loft space where problems arise with storage is to clear the loft, add to the height of the joists if necessary, lay the insulation (270-300mm recommended but some products require less) and then lay boards on top of this. Usually you would insulate over the top of the joists too but the above is a next best solution. If you have spare room, insulate above the boards where you don'thave storage. Remember: allow a bit of space between the boards and insulation to allow ventilation, do not insulate the eaves (a draughty loft is a healthy loft) and insulate over water pipes (you don't want them exposed and freezing).

Some people prefer to have a 'raised platform' to store things on rather than boards, either way make sure that anything you store is safely protected from damp and cold by wrapping it in bubble-wrap/old carpet and putting them in bags.

Take a quick look at the EST site for more detailed information:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Home-insulation-glazing/Loft-insulation/All-about-installation

Chris (Ham and Petersham SolariHam)