What’s the Best Loft Insulation?
This is part of our complete guide to roof and loft insulation.
Maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature is crucial for both well-being and energy conservation. Loft insulation plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal, preventing precious heat from escaping upwards and ensuring that your home remains cosy and warm throughout the year.
There are several different types of loft insulation fills. Each boasts advantages and considerations, making the choice between them dependent on specific factors such as loft accessibility, budget, and desired insulation performance. We’ll look at different insulation types as well as various insulation materials to help you make the right decision for your home.
Blanket Insulation: A DIY-Friendly Choice
Blanket insulation, also known as loft rolls, is the most common and widely used type of loft insulation in the UK. It comes in rolls of various thicknesses and materials, typically glass wool or mineral wool, and is relatively easy to install, making it a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts.
Advantages of Blanket Insulation:
Cost-effective: Blanket insulation is generally the most affordable option, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious homeowners.
Ease of installation: Blanket insulation can be installed by DIYers with a basic level of DIY skills. Numerous online guides and tutorials provide step-by-step instructions for hassle-free installation.
Versatility: Blanket insulation is suitable for both regular and irregular loft spaces, making it a versatile option for various loft configurations.
Considerations for Blanket Insulation:
Airtightness: Proper installation will ensure that blanket insulation provides optimal thermal performance. Gaps or air leaks can significantly reduce its effectiveness.
Access to loft: Blanket insulation is best suited for lofts that are easy to access and have ample space for manoeuvring. Lofts with low headroom or restricted access may pose challenges for DIY installation.
Loose-Fill Insulation: Effective and Wallet-Friendly
Loose-fill insulation is a type of insulation that is made up of loose fibres or particles that are blown or poured into attics, walls and other cavities in a building. It is a versatile and effective way to insulate your home and can help you save money on your energy bills.
Advantages of Loose Fill Insulation:
Versatility: Loose-fill insulation can be installed in a variety of shapes and spaces, including attics, walls, and crawl spaces.
Effectiveness: Loose-fill insulation can provide excellent thermal insulation, helping to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Cost-effectiveness: Loose-fill insulation is generally more affordable than other types of insulation, such as spray foam insulation.
Environmentally friendly: Some types of loose-fill insulation, such as cellulose insulation, are made from recycled materials.
Considerations of Loose-Fill Insulation:
Installation: Loose-fill insulation requires professional installation, which can add to the cost of the project.
Settling: Loose-fill insulation can settle over time, which can reduce its effectiveness.
Airflow: Loose-fill insulation can restrict airflow in attics and other spaces, which can lead to moisture problems.
Blown-in Insulation: Professional Installation for Optimal Performance
Blown-in insulation, also known as loft wool, is a type of insulation that is installed using specialised equipment to blow loose insulation material into the loft space. This method is particularly effective in filling awkward nooks and crannies, ensuring comprehensive insulation coverage.
Advantages of Blown-in Insulation:
Superior thermal performance: Blown-in insulation provides excellent thermal performance, effectively preventing heat loss and improving energy efficiency.
Uniform coverage: Blown-in insulation fills every nook and cranny, ensuring that no gaps or air leaks compromise its effectiveness.
Suitable for complex lofts: Blown-in insulation is well-suited for lofts with irregular shapes or obstructions, providing comprehensive coverage even in challenging spaces.
Considerations for Blown-in Insulation:
Professional installation: Blown-in insulation requires professional installation using specialised equipment, adding to the overall cost.
Loft preparation: Lofts may need some preparation before blown-in insulation can be installed, such as removing loose debris or ensuring proper ventilation.
Making an Informed Choice: Factors to Consider
When selecting the best type of loft insulation for your home, consider the following factors:
Loft accessibility: If your loft is easy to access and has ample space for manoeuvring, blanket insulation may be a suitable DIY option. For more challenging loft spaces, blown-in insulation installed by a professional is recommended.
Budget: Blanket insulation is generally more cost-effective than blown-in insulation. However, the long-term energy savings achieved by blown-in insulation may outweigh the initial cost difference.
Desired insulation performance: If you prioritise optimal thermal performance and energy efficiency, blown-in insulation is the superior choice. Blanket insulation still provides effective insulation but may not achieve the same level of performance.
Loft Insulation Materials and Considerations
Several types of loft insulation are suitable for properties in Scotland, with each having its advantages and considerations. The choice often depends on budget, available space and installation methods:
Mineral Wool Insulation (Fibreglass or Rock Wool):
Advantages: Widely available, affordable, excellent thermal performance, and soundproofing.
Considerations: Prone to sagging over time, can be itchy to handle without proper protection.
Cellulose Insulation:
Advantages: Made from recycled paper, good thermal performance, environmentally friendly and can be blown into difficult-to-reach spaces.
Considerations: May settle over time, requires professional installation.
Spray Foam Insulation:
Advantages: High thermal efficiency, excellent air sealing properties, can be applied to irregular spaces.
Considerations: Expensive, may release chemicals during installation, professional installation required.
Sheep's Wool Insulation:
Advantages: Natural, renewable, breathable, and effective at moisture regulation.
Considerations: More expensive than some alternatives, may require thicker layers for equivalent performance.
Aerogel Insulation:
Advantages: Ultra-lightweight, excellent thermal performance, suitable for thin applications.
Considerations: Very expensive, not as widely available, professional installation often required.
Reflective Foil Insulation:
Advantages: Good for reducing radiant heat transfer, often used in conjunction with other insulation types.
Considerations: Less effective when it comes to conduction and convection heat transfer.
Get a Professional Insulation
It's important to note the effectiveness of any insulation depends on proper installation. To achieve the best results, contact the professionals at MPC Energy. Our technicians can ensure the insulation is correctly fitted, minimising gaps and voids. And if you qualify for the ECO4 Scheme, you may be able to get it for free!
If you have questions about the right insulation for your home or the schemes available to you, drop us a note or give us a call at +44 141 951 7887. With over 30 years’ combined experience in the energy efficiency industry and multiple industry awards, MPC Energy Ltd are one of the UK’s most trusted insulation installers.
