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How much insulation do I need in my loft?

How do I measure and calculate how much insulation I need in my loft?

It is important to take the time to work out how much insulation you need to ensure you get the best fit and also, so you don’t over or under order.  Planning the installation is an important part of the job and correctly laid insulation significantly improves thermal performance.

When insulating using Thermafleece we recommend you should install to a minimum depth of 240/250mm and ideally 300mm particularly for new build properties.  You will need to install one layer between the ceiling joists and one or more layers above the level of the joists.  The insulation above the joists is cross-laid over the joist meaning it runs perpendicular to the direction of the joist. The joists are the horizontal timbers that support the ceiling below the loft.  These are often confused with rafters which are the angled timbers that support the roof.

There are 3 simple steps to measuring for your loft

Step 1. Measure the total loft space. 

This will provide a total square metre requirement.  Simply multiply the length (in metres) by the width (in metres) of the loft to calculate the area in sq.m.  For the layer of insulation that is fitted between joists, deduct 10% of the loft area to account for displacement of the joists.  For insulation layers that sit above the level of the joists take the full loft area.  If you can’t access the loft or to give yourself a sense check, simply measure the outside of the building for dimensions.

Step 2.  Measure the space between your joists.

Measure the width between joist ensuring the tape measure runs perpendicular to the joist.  Repeat this to determine the minimum and maximum spacing between joists.  This will allow you to determine the  width of insulation required to fit between joists.  Often and especially in older properties the width does vary but several width options are available, and Thermafleece is a quilt material which is forgiving against the timbers.  Thermafleece is available in a variety of widths.  This is only required for the layer of insulation fitted between joists, layers cross-laid over joists do not need to fit between anything so we generally recommended our widest widths for this.

Step 3. Measure the depth of the joists.

Typically, if your joists are 100 mm thick, we would recommend you full fill the joists with  100 mm thick.   To increase the thickness and eliminate heat loss, we would recommend 100 between and at least 140 mm over the joist. This generally means that you put one layer between the joists then other layers running above the joists across the direction of the joist.

Example Using Thermafleece CosyWool Roll.
Space between joists is 350mm.  370mm insulation width required.

Loft Area – 9 metres x 7 metres  = total area 63m2

Joist depth – 100mm

Recommended Insulation depth is 240mm

Between the joists:
100mm thick x 370mm wide. 3 rolls in a pack and total m2 of one pack is 7.22m2

Area required is 63 sq.m less 10% = 56.7 sq.m

56.7 square metres ÷ 7.22 square metres per pack  = **7.85 packs

You would need to order 8 packs of 100 x 370 which will provide you with 57.8 sq.m to go between the joists.

Cross-laid over the joists *
140mm deep x 570 wide 2 rolls in a pack and total m2 of one pack is 5.24m2

63 square metres ÷ 5.24 square metres per pack  = ** 12.02  packs

You would need to order 12 packs  of the 140 mm x  570mm which will provide you with 62.88 square metres to go crossways over the joists.

*Remember: Layers cross-laid over joists don’t need to fit between anything so we generally recommended our widest widths for this 

**We don’t split packs so depending on how generous your measurements are, round up or down

_____

Find out more:

Further information is available in our Help and Advice Section: https://naturalinsulations.co.uk/help-advice/

Thermafleece British Sheeps Wool:  https://www.thermafleece.com/

Featured Image is from the Cold Roof Application Notes, one of a series available in the Help and Advice Section

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: how much insulation do I need?, insulation depth, loft insulation, measuring loft for insulation

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Insulation, the solution to our mountain of wool?

On the face of it, the current surplus of wool should provide a greater opportunity to make insulation from British sheep’s wool.  However, putting this into practice is more complicated than it first looks.  We look at the issue and tackle some of the challenges we face.

Global demand for British wool has fallen sharply this year but supply of British wool has remained constant.  The price of most wools has plummeted, and the market has ground to a near halt.  Naturally, farmers are looking at new end-uses for their wool.  As well as seeking to stimulate traditional end-uses such as carpets, fabrics, and knitwear.

All wool isn’t the same

Natural crops vary widely in their type, form, and application.  Wool is no exception.  Wool types range from very fine to very coarse, short to long and light to dark.  These properties affect the grade, price of the wool and end-use. It’s the same as timber varying from softwoods such as pine to fine hardwoods such as walnut.  Each has their own properties and uses, some functional and some aesthetic.

Established more than 20 years ago, Thermafleece is a very effective use for coarse dark wool that is unsuitable for familiar applications.  Coarse dark wool is suited for wool insulation because it doesn’t need to feel very soft against the skin and it doesn’t need to be dyed.  For wool insulation, the dark colour and coarseness aren’t a problem.  It’s also the lowest cost of all wools making the final insulation competitive.

Will wool insulation save the day?

Farmers are now considering insulation as an alternative way to get a higher price for their surplus wool. Thanks to the success of Thermafleece and the government’s recent focus on energy efficiency.  But is this viable?

A lot of the surplus of wool is higher grade than typical coarse dark insulation wool.  The higher grade wool is usually destined for higher value items such as carpets, fabrics, and knitwear.  Using higher-grade wool in insulation is like using walnut or rosewood to build your garden fence according to many.  Others believe the wool is sitting doing nothing so what better use than insulation.

The higher grade wools can be used in wool insulation but because they cost more, the insulation will be significantly more expensive compared to coarse dark wool insulation.  What’s more, there are no added benefits using higher grade wool when it comes to insulation.  There’s a conundrum.  How can you make competitive insulation from higher grade wools and give the farmer a fair price for the wool?  In short, you can’t without subsidising the cost of the insulation or the cost of the wool.

Luckily, the Green Homes Grant Scheme will substantially subsidise the cost of having sheep’s wool insulation installed in your home.  But why would you use wool insulation made from higher grade wool when coarse dark wool insulation does the same job at a lower cost?  Our conundrum resurfaces.  How do we make competitive insulation from higher grade wool and give the farmer a fair price for the wool?

What now?

We should promote the benefits of British wool as a fantastic high-quality raw material worthy of many high value end-uses.  Insulation is a great end-use for coarse dark wool and other low grades of which there is plenty.  But we should focus on higher value end-uses for higher quality wool rather than insulation.  British wool is one of the best materials in the world.  It produces high quality durable, functional and beautiful products compared to man-made fibres or wools of other origins.  And that’s where the wool industry’s efforts need to be.

By  Mark Lynn Thermafleece MD and Vice Chair of the ASBP .

Want to find out more about British Wool:
Visit our Help and Advice Page for application notes and further information: https://naturalinsulations.co.uk/help-advice/

British Wool Website: https://www.britishwool.org.uk/
Campaign for Wool: http://www.campaignforwool.org/

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: British Wool Insulation, British Wool Mountain, surplus of British Wool

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Convert Your Garden Shed or Shoffice

According to national statistics, more than 1.5 million people are now working at home.  With space limited, what better way to create a comfortable working space than to convert your garden shed or shoffice?  And what better way to make the space comfortable than to insulate with Thermafleece British sheep’s wool insulation?

Thermafleece is truly breathable meaning it will help regulate moisture within the fabric of the shed and help create a more stable structure.  It’s also made in the UK from British wool so it’s an ideal sustainable choice.

Before you start

Before you start to convert your garden shed or shoffice, it’s important to be aware that most sheds weren’t designed with insulation in mind, so you need to take a few considerations into account.

You will have to minimise the risk of water getting into the insulation from outside and you must minimise the risk of condensation forming from the inside.  This is done by using breathable membranes against the inside of the shed wall and using vapour control membranes against the warm side of the insulation.   The warm side of the insulation is the bit you see when you are inside the shed. We explain in a bit more detail below.

Insulating the walls

Unless the roof overhangs the wall quite significantly, you will need to insulate the walls from the inside.  If you add insulation on the outside of the walls and the roof doesn’t overhang, then the wall insulation will stand out from the roof line and most likely trap water.

How much insulation you install depends on the depth of the timber frame and the amount of space you can afford to lose.  The simplest thing to do is to install insulation between the timber frame which is usually around 50mm in depth.  If you extend beyond the frame depth you may need to make adjustments around the window reveals.  Thermafleece CosyWool Roll comes in a variety of thickness to suit most frame depths.

Before you install Thermafleece between the wall frame, you should take measures to ensure rain can’t penetrate the insulation.  If the shed is already clad with timber, install a breathable membrane fitted against the inside of the wall running over the frame.  Ensure that top layers overlap bottom layers of the membrane to allow any penetrating water to run freely down.  You can also tape joints in the membrane.

Install Thermafleece between the timber frame once the breather membrane is fixed.  You can staple the insulation to the timbers in order to secure it although the friction between the timber and insulation will be enough to hold it in place.

Once you have installed the insulation, fit a vapour control membrane on the inside secured to the frame ensuring all joints are taped.  You can then fix your internal lining.

Insulating the roof

As with the walls, the simplest way is to insulate the full depth of the timbers making up the roof.  The roof should be weather-tight, so you don’t need to install a breather membrane to the underside of the roof.  If there are any leaks in the roof, make sure these are repaired prior to insulating.

Install Thermafleece between the timber frame in the roof.  You should install a vapour control membrane underneath the insulation fixed to the roof timbers with all joints taped.  It is particularly important to install a vapour control membrane to the underside of the roof because there is no ventilation under the roof and the roof has a high vapour resistance, so you want to eliminate the risk of moisture getting to the underside of the roof.

Insulating the floor

If you are going to insulate the floor, you can fix battens on top of the shed floor and insulate between.  Install a vapour control membrane over the battens and tape all joints before fixing flooring on top.  Be mindful of ways water can penetrate the floor so make sure the vapour control membrane on the walls is securely taped to the vapour control membrane on the floor.

And finally

Put the kettle on, put up your feet, enjoy the space and don’t forget to get some work done.

By  Mark Lynn Thermafleece MD and Vice Chair of the ASBP .

 

Take a look at our FAQ’s for more information
Our Help and Advice Page has a number of Presentations and Briefing papers for you to read
For more information on Thermafleece Sheep’s Wool insulation visit www.thermafleece.com

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: convert your garden shed, natural fibre insulation, sheeps wool insulation

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The Top 5 Insulation Tips

Tip No 1: Understand What Insulation Does.

Insulation prevents heat loss, but it also does many other things.  Take this into account before deciding what to use.

Indoor humidity and moisture levels vary depending on where we insulate and what we insulate with.  Managing these the right way helps create a healthy building and improves indoor air quality.

Consider how insulation can reduce noise.  Whether it’s reducing the sound of rain on the roof or noise between rooms, insulation plays an important role in creating a more comfortable indoor environment.

Heat gain during the summer often causes more problems than heat loss during the winter.  Reduce heat gain by using natural fibre insulation.  With just the right amount of thermal mass, natural fibre insulation slows the movement of heat into the building.  This prevents heat reaching indoors during the hottest parts of the day.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) arising from building products create poor indoor air quality.  VOC’s are potentially harmful chemicals that evaporate from materials.  Choose insulation with low VOC’s to lower sources of harmful indoor air pollutants.  Indeed, insulation such as sheep’s wool actually cleanses the air of harmful VOC’s such as formaldehyde.

Home insulation Tips No 2
Get it right first time

Once insulation is installed it can be difficult to replace or upgrade.  That’s why it’s important to get the best performance you can first time.  Consider what you need the insulation to do and how it will perform.  For example, do you have an older property where breathability is important or does outside noise bother you?

Use insulation materials that are made to last.  These may be more expensive but during their life, cost is not significant.   There is less chance you will need to replace good quality insulation.

You can model insulation performance before you buy.  Insulation suppliers can conduct performance calculations that include U-value and condensation risk analysis.  This service is usually offered free to end users and professionals.  The calculations enable you to compare the performance of different insulation products.

Ensure insulation is properly fitted.  There is no point selecting the best type of insulation and then being let down by poor workmanship.  Make sure you fill the space correctly.  Avoid creases, folds and gaps in the insulation and ensure all joints as sealed correctly.

The area you are insulating should be in good condition.  Before you install insulation check for underlying problems such as damp.  Insulation is not a solution for damp, not even natural fibre insulation.  Sort out damp before insulating.  Installing insulation over damp areas makes the problem worse.

Home insulation Tips No 3
Take time to work out how much insulation you need

You may need different amounts of insulation depending on the type and brand.  Types of insulation behave differently and all brands are not equal.  Insulation manufacturers and suppliers have experts that advise you on what thickness of insulation you need.

Sometimes, insulation is installed between timbers such as joists, studs or rafters.  Work out the width of insulation you need by measuring the distance between the centre of the timbers.  Then measure the total length of insulation you need.  This is known as the linear metres of insulation.  You can work out the quantity of insulation based on the total linear metres of each thickness.  This method allows for the space taken up by timbers and reduces wastage.

Measure accurately and avoid over-ordering.  This saves you as much as 10% or even 20% of the insulation cost.  You also avoid generating needless waste and you’ll also save on the cost of disposal.

Home insulation Tips No 4
Don’t buy the cheapest insulation

Insulation is one of the few products that actually pays for itself so bear this in mind when you look at upfront cost.  Even the most expensive insulation pays for itself.

Use the best performing insulation you can afford and make sure it lasts as long as possible.  Choosing the cheapest option is a false economy.  It is unlikely to last and you will pay for replacement.  Remember, insulation will pay for itself in time.

Compare the cost of insulation based on the same level of performance.  Some products may appear more expensive but you could need less of it.

You might think natural fibre insulation such as sheep’s wool is very expensive but that’s not the case.  Sheep’s wool often costs less than man made materials such as PIR for the same level of thermal performance.  What’s more, sheep’s wool is breathable and great for sound proofing.

Home insulation Tips No 5
Use combinations of insulation types for improved performance

Insulation does many things and different products behave differently.  Some is better for reducing noise whilst other insulation has a very low thermal insulation value.  Using different types in combination is a good way of making the best of each.

Using different insulation in combination can make installing easier.  Use flexible insulation between timbers and rigid insulation against timbers to reduce the need for cutting, saving time and money.

You can also add to existing insulation if it’s in good condition.  This is easiest done in the loft space.  Add a layer of breathable natural fibre insulation to provide additional performance within an existing insulated roof.

Written by Mark Lynn, Thermafleece MD and Vice Chair of the ASBP.

Take a look at our FAQ’s for more information
Our Help and Advice Page has a number of Presentations and Briefing papers for you to read
For more information on Thermafleece Sheep’s Wool insulation visit www.thermafleece.com
Information on SupaSoft recycled plastic insulation can be found at www.supasoftinsulation.com

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: insulating the home, insulation, natural fibre insulation, saving money with insulation, sheeps wool insulation, thermafleece, tips for insulating your home

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Why is insulation important?

You don’t have to think about insulation more than a few occasions in your life so when you do, take some time to learn what it really does and make sure you make the best choice for you and your home.

Why is insulation important?

It’s a fact that insulation saves heat and it’s a fact that heat costs money. So it’s a simple fact that if you’re saving heat you’re saving money. So the more you insulate the more money you save. All insulation saves more money than it costs so don’t think of insulation as costly.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: insulating the home, insulation, natural fibre insulation, saving money with insulation, thermafleece

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