When installed correctly, roof insulation can make a huge difference to the comfort and affordability of the home. However, did you know there’s a lot you can get wrong when installing this type of insulation?
Here, we’ll look at some of the common mistakes homeowners make when insulating their roof and how they can be avoided.
Ignoring insulation regulations
Did you know there are government regulations regarding the thickness of loft insulation? Many homeowners don’t, which means they end up installing insufficient insulation.
The majority of roof insulation projects should invest in insulation that is 270mm deep. However, there are exceptions. For example, if you’re using wool insulation, the depth should be 250mm. Making yourself aware of these regulations will ensure you install the correct depth insulation for maximum benefits. Ignoring the guidelines could result in you installing insufficient insulation which does nothing to reduce your monthly fuel bills or enhance the comfort of the home.
Blocking off vents
Another common mistake you can make, is blocking off any air vents in the loft. These are actually required to ensure fresh air can both enter and subsequently exit the loft space. They prevent the growth of mould and eliminate excess moisture from building up.
So, when adding loft insulation, always double check it’s not blocking off any air vents in the space. It could even be a good idea to check your existing insulation isn’t covering the vents if you have it.
Fitting insulation over recessed light fixtures
This won’t apply to everyone, but if you have recessed lighting, you’ll want to be careful you’re not covering the fittings with the insulation. The trouble is, the light will generate a lot of heat, so if the insulation is on top of it, it could easily ignite due to the heat.
You should make sure the insulation is at least three inches from light fixtures. You may also want to invest in a pre-manufactured cover for recessed lighting. These are inexpensive and can prevent the lighting from overheating. Even if you’re using the highest quality insulation from companies such as CCF, can catch fire if they’re not installed correctly.
Over-compressing the insulation
It’s logical to think that packing in the insulation as tightly as possible will help to make the home extra efficient. However, did you know if the insulation is too compact it can actually make your home less efficient?
This is because in order to work properly, there needs to be a certain level of air included within the insulation. If it’s too compressed, the air will instead be forced out of the insulation, making it pretty much ineffective. So, avoid packing it in too tightly.
Overall, there’s a lot of insulation mistakes you can make when insulating the roof. By following the advice above, you’ll be able to avoid the most common mistakes and ensure your insulation works just the way it should. It’s also worth noting that you should always invest in high-quality insulation rather than cheap, low-quality insulation if you want to receive the most benefits.
