Is Loft Insulation a good thing?
In this article in this guide, we provide the costs for loft insulation. We also outline what you’ll have to pay for the materials, and what you can expect to pay to install loft insulation.
But we’ll start with the fundamentals…
Loft insulation refers to the process of lining your loft with insulation materials to limit your loss of warmth from inside to the exterior of your house.
If you’re seeking a an estimate for the insulation of the loft of your home, we’ll get you connected to local insulation experts.
It’s an easier concept to understand when you take the words apart.
- A loft can be described as an attic or the upper part of a house.
- Insulation is a substance used to hold sound or heat inside the limits of a space.
How Much Does Loft Insulation Cost?
In short?
Loft insulation doesn’t have to be that expensive.
The main benefit is that it can help lower your energy costs. It is said that some discover they can save up to £215 each year on energy costs.
No matter what the cost of loft insulation is, it will save you significantly (or more) in the long run.
However:
The cost of insulation is based on the size of your home and other variables.
The most important thing to consider is the insulation material you select to install.
We’re going to discuss the different insulation materials you can choose from along with the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as how much it will cost you to install them for your home.
NOTE: In this article we’ll be calculating the loft insulation costs per square meter.
Cost of Blanket Insulation
We have blanket insulation.
It is typically utilized by people who require low-cost loft insulation. It’s quite common and composed of rocks, mineral fiber glass, glass, or rolls of foil-backed wool. If you decide to go with this option, we recommend to install at least 270mm of thickness.
What prices are you likely to pay?
Blanket insulation is priced at £5 per square meter. For homes with small spaces you can buy it for between £100 and £150.
It is recommended that you hire a professional install it (unless you’re a professional with experience). This is why you can expect it to cost between £300 and £400 to buy to install blanket insulation. It will differ based on the size of your home.
Pros:
- It is easy to install (and is possible to do manually).
- The materials can be skin-friendly (so don’t touch it).
- Reduces energy costs.
- Reduces outside noise.
Cons:
- Blanket insulation rolls can be a challenge to maneuver.
- Certain brands may be more expensive.
- Some materials do cause skin reactions.
Loose-Fill Cost of Insulation
Loose-fill insulation is another method of retaining heat.
Contrary to blanket insulation loose-fill insulation is made up of lightweight, loose material like cork granules fibers of cellulose, or even mineral wool. These materials that are lightweight are placed in different areas of the loft, to ensure that it is as evenly insulated as it is possible.
If you’re concerned about the environment You could also use old newspapers!
It’s a great choice since it is able to reach all challenging areas of your loft, and is installed quickly and efficiently (within approximately 4 hours when blowing equipment is employed).
That said, it does have a few disadvantages.
In the first place, it could create quite a mess while being put in. The second issue is that loose-fill insulation may be unsecured and loose (especially in a loft that is draughty).
Loose-fill insulation is priced at £4.80 p/m²-£6.50 p/m².
Pros:
- It can be used for any space in the loft.
- Reached into difficult-to-reach places.
- It takes less time to set up (as there is no cutting or measuring is needed).
- Can be used as a stand-alone product or to enhance existing insulation.
- An affordable method to insulate your loft.
- Certain insulation materials made of loose fill are non-toxic and eco-friendly.
Cons:
- It can be difficult to set up.
- The loose threads could be snagged in the draughty loft.
- Safety equipment is essential for installation, which will increase the cost you be charged.
Sheet Loft Insulation Prices
Sheet loft insulation utilizes material to protect the sloped edges of the loft (which other methods aren’t nearly as effective in doing). It is made up of insulation boards designed to fit over the joists of the loft.
and it comes with a myriad of advantages.
There are, for instance, varieties that are moisture and fire-resistant that are easy to decorate and can be put into difficult-to-access spaces.
The negative?
The sheet loft insulation can be the least costly type of insulation that you can purchase. It usually cost between £7.75 per square meter to £11 p/m2.
However, the price will be determined by the size of the house, the thickness of the sheets, and the sizes you request (as custom sizes cost more).
Pros:
- Variants that resist moisture and fire can help to make your home more secure.
- The insulation value of every sheet is high, therefore sheets don’t have to be nearly as strong as the alternatives.
- Ideal for converted lofts.
- It is possible to decorate it to appear more attractive.
Cons:
- The most expensive type of insulation.
- Very fragile.
- Certain materials aren’t green.
Blown-Fiber Insulation Cost
Finally, we have the blown-fibre insulation.
This is very like the loose-fill insulation method, which typically uses materials like fiber glass and cellulose in order to provide insulation to the loft.
The name suggests that the type of insulation you choose to use must be blown into – which means that you’ll need hire a professional complete the task.
This could be very expensive.
It’s estimated that it’ll cost anywhere between £300 to £450 (if you take into account the cost of the material and labor).
Pros:
- Recycled materials (like recycled paper or wool) make this a environmentally-friendly option.
- Installation can be done quickly by an experienced professional.
- Materials are simple to use.
- The ability to climb up the most difficult places.
Cons:
- Insulation that is less expensive is readily available.
- If cellulose is employed the material could shrink in time.
- It easily absorbs moisture and requires a long period to dry.
Loft Insulation Costs
| Type of House | Blanket Insulation Cost | Loose-fill Insulation Cost | Sheet Insulation Cost |
| Detached | £350-£420 | £735-£760 | £1000-£1250 |
| Semi-attached | £310-£365 | £578-£605 | £578-£605 |
| Terraced | £280-£315 | £515-£532 | £850-£880 |
| Bungalow | £375-£420 | £700-£730 | £1000-£1200 |
What are the Costs of Supply in Loft Insulation?
Now you’ll be aware of the cost of make loft insulation.
What happens when you decide to purchase the materials for insulation your self?
In this article we will discuss what you can expect to spend on the various types of loft insulation available.
Price of Blanket Insulation
As we’ve previously discussed blanket insulation is made of materials like mineral fiber, glass, and others. The materials used in blanket insulation vary in price.
The cost of insulation blanket loft per roll will differ based on the kind of insulation you’d like to install.
For example:
The cost of buying Rockwool will cost you between £35 and £57 for a sheet of loft insulation. Glass wool is as affordable as £20 to £40, depending what size of it you want and the type of brand you prefer.
Loose-fill Insulation Cost
The loose-fill method for insulation uses a variety of different materials, such as fiberglass, cellulose as well as mineral wool.
Fiberglass is available to buy it for as little as £27 however it could cost as high as £40.
The other way around…
You can purchase a 12-kg bag of cellulose at only £10 to £15. It’s a steal at this price and makes it an appealing option if you’re trying to reduce the cost of having the loft heated as minimal as you can.
Sheet Insulation Prices
Sheet insulation is typically made up of foam boards.
The price for sheet loft insulation as well as boarding begins from around £20.
It varies depending what thickness prefer.
For example:
10mm foam boards can be purchased at prices ranging from £45 to £50 (as the boards are more dense and, consequently, more efficient).
Blown-fiber Insulation Price
The insulation method based on blown fiber uses mineral fiber that is blown around the ceiling (rather rather than being laid on as other kinds of). This makes sure that the fiber covers all edges of your loft, and it is equally dispersed.
And how much does blown-fiber insulation cost?
The cost of insulation are similar to blanket insulation as it is made of identical materials. The primary distinction is in the design of installation and the need to have a professional install it.
But, if you’re seeking prices for spray foam loft insulation that are expensive, they’re not cheap and range from £44 p/m² to £52 p/m².
Cost of the Ladder
Now you’ll be aware of the cost of insulation materials used for different types of insulation cost.
What other costs for materials must you plan?
First up: a loft ladder.
Ladders are usually the safest method to gain access to the loft. Therefore, loft ladders are sold between £250 and £300 (excluding the labor cost to install them.)
Hatch Door Cost
Also, you must budget for the price of a hatch door.
The hatch is your ideal method to gain access to your loft.
If your house already has one, you don’t have to fret about it. If you require (or are looking to get) an entirely new hatch then you must be prepared to pay between £250 to £300.
But, there’s an opportunity to save money by using HTML0.
There are deals that bundle ladders with hatches. They cost somewhere between £350 to £400 to buy that’s a substantial savings over purchasing them separately.
Loft Legs Cost
Then, we can consider the price of the loft legs.
Loft legs are a style to protect your loft from compression of insulation.
This is usually used when you want to use the loft for storage.
They’re not too expensive also. They’ll typically come in sets and sets of 48 pieces priced between £40 to £60.
What are the additional costs in Loft Insulation?
The cost of loft insulation doesn’t have to be limited to the price of building the materials and labor.
There are additional costs for loft insulation you should be aware of that may cause more cost to install loft insulation.
We’ll look at these elements in the next sections.
Ready? Let’s get started.
Cost of Insulating Pipes
If there are pipes inside your loft, you’ll need to insulate those pipes as well.
If you don’t take care, they might be frozen over in the winter cold months across the UK.
It’s good news that this won’t be a anything to figure out.
In fact, you could purchase foam insulation tubes (for approximately £1.75 from p/m to £3) and put them in place yourself.
However, if you’d prefer an expert deal on this cost, the price (including the materials) will be somewhere between £70 to £100.
Ladder and Hatch Cost of Installation
As we’ve established that you’ll require an access hatch and ladder so you can get to your loft.
If you decide to purchase them all together, expect to spend somewhere between £350 to £400.
But there’s something else to take into consideration.
Many homeowners choose to insulate their hatches too to prevent heat from venting out of your house into the loft via spaces that aren’t fully filled.
As the hatch isn’t large it’s not an costly project to tackle.
You can purchase a polystyrene board for between £10 and £20 (1200mm x 2400mm).
Moving electrical wires is expensive.
Do you have any electrical wires been installed in your loft?
If this is the case, it may require to be moved so as not to hinder the loft insulation installation.
It will need the assistance of an electrician, which could cost anything from £100 to £150. If they want to work in a two-person team it is the range between £200 and £250 could be more reasonable.
Skylights Installation Cost
Loft skylights are a fantastic method to let sunlight into your loft.
However, there’s a catch.
Installing a skylight window takes certain sophisticated techniques and you’ll have to seek out professionals to help in this.
In all, you must plan between £1000 to £1500 on this undertaking (which will cover the cost of materials and labor).
On the bright side?
This is a straightforward task and should take no more than a day to finish.
Loft Insulation Labor Cost
The next thing to consider when looking at the price of loft insulation is how much tradesmen will charge to install it.
What if you wanted to make it by yourself?
While you are able to install blanket insulation by yourself, different types of loft insulation require the assistance of an expert.
Let’s discuss what’s going to affect the amount you’re being charged today.
The current state of the loft
Do you have your loft clean, neat and well-organized?
If this is the case, it isn’t something you need to be concerned about.
However, if decaying wood has to be removed or other junk pieces are scattered all over the place, the cost of loft insulation will go up.
Loft Size
Your loft’s size is an important aspect that affects the installation cost for loft insulation.
Why?
This is due to the fact that it’s best to completely insulate your loft space. If there are spaces that aren’t covered, this could negate the entire reason for doing it!
Additional Extras
Here are a few issues we’ve covered before which include the existence of electrical wires or pipes in the loft, which may require insulation or moved. All of these are factors that should be considered prior to any work begins.
Once you have sorted that out after that, you can get the quote of a professional online.
Take a look at the table below for an idea of the price an insulation job will cost.
| Insulation type | Price |
| Insulation blanket | 150 £-250£ |
| Loose fill insulation | £75-130£ |
| Sheet insulation | £180-350£ |
| Board insulation | £800-£1200 |
How long does it take for Loft Insulation Installation?
If you’re thinking about the installation of loft insulation in your home, you’ll need to know how long it’ll take for the project to complete.
This is crucial in the event that you are required to stay in your home when experts are working. It also allows you to plan your day around the tasks being performed.
But what is the impact on the time it takes to put up loft insulation?
The length of time needed to complete the task depends on several aspects, such as the dimensions of your loft as well as the method of insulation you’re employing.
The table below outlines the amount of time required to install various types of loft insulation.
| Insulation type | Duration |
| Insulated blanket | 2-6 hours |
| Loose fill insulation | 1-4 hours |
| Sheet insulation | 2-12 hours |
| Boarding | 6-24 hours |
What is the cost to board a loft?
Storage space is extremely limited in many UK homes. Because of this, many homeowners transform their lofts into a storage space.
How do you approach this?
You’ll need to take your place in the loft. It can be an time-consuming and labor-intensive work.
But once it is done?
You’ll be amazed by how much space you have now.
There are a few other benefits of boarding your loft, too:
- It can help you get rid of the clutter you typically have in your home.
- It can boost property value. home.
- It stops the loss of heat (which helps reduce your energy costs).
You have two choices to choose from when it comes to the boarding of your loft.
We first have some bordering.
It is possible to do this on your own if you have an experience in working on wood. The basic idea is to board up loft areas which are near to the hatch to provide a more storage space.
It is possible to purchase PIR, Polystyrene, and phenolic boards for the job. If you choose to hire the assistance of an expert, you can expect to be charged somewhere between £200 to £300 for a couple of days of hard work.
Then, we offer complete boarding in this loft.
A full-time job that requires boarding is considerably more costly and may take more than one worker to complete. Due to this, you can anticipate spending anywhere from £1500 to £2000 for labor and the materials.
Different types of boards
There are a variety of boards that are suitable for boarding lofts.
Let’s take a brief glance at a few.
PIR Boards
They’re probably the most well-known kind of board.
They have a high thermal efficiency and are not thought to cause harm for your wellbeing. They have also been proven to be fireproof as well as strong enough to withstand the demands of your loft space.
Phenolic Boards
Phenolic boards are by far the most expensive type of board that you can put inside your loft.
But they’re definitely worth it.
They are extremely efficient in thermal energy and are also fireproof. This makes them perfect to be installed in your home.
Polystyrene Boards
Polystyrene board has been used for quite some time.
One benefit of these boards is that they are easier to modify and are a less expensive alternative to many of the other kinds of boards that are available for sale.
However, there’s a caveat.
Polystyrene board is flammable – therefore, it’s not the most secure material you can have at home.
Raising the Loft
The raising of the floor is an crucial to loft insulation.
Why?
Loft joists can be only 100mm thick. So, in order to build insulation to the required size of 270mm it is necessary elevate the flooring which in turn allows enough room for the insulation as well as the air space. The air gap is used to keep condensation out.
In addition loft legs are frequently employed in this process and are generally screwed onto the Joists.
They are available in sets, for around £50. While hiring an individual to lift the floor and also board the loft ought to cost you between £900-£1200.
How Much Does it Cost to remove loft insulation?
There are some reasons you might need to remove your loft insulation.
Below are a few of the most common reasons:
- Installing a new and more efficient loft insulation.
- If there was an infestation of vermin.
- If the leak caused water damage to the insulation.
However, on the bright side?
Based on the extent that the roof is damaged, you may not have to take out the entire loft insulation.
If the insulation only been damaged, you can install the boards after you’ve cleaned out your loft’s insulation.
This is why many homeowners opt for loose-fill insulation to fill their lofts.
How much will it set you back?
Loft insulation removal should cost between £300 and £600 for a typical 3-bedroom home.
Removal of Loft Insulation
How to dispose of loft insulation is different.
This is because you’re not allowed to make use of commonly used methods like garbage bags and recycling bins. Instead, it’s recommended to eliminate the loft insulation at your local waste recycling centre for household waste.
If you’re not able to take on the task yourself, consider hiring an expert to help take off the insulation, for a small amount of additional money.
FAQs
Q What is the thickness of loft insulations be?
A: The ideal thickness for loft insulation is between 250mm to 270mm. It is important to purchase enough material to attain this level of insulation.
If you have insulation, and you wish to add more insulation then you’ll need to verify the thickness of the one that you currently have and then add it to the right level.
Q: What impact does loft insulation have on the overall quality of life?
The loft insulation can make an enormous differences. It allows you to keep heat inside your home so that you won’t need to turn your heating on all the time and can help reduce the amount of energy you spend.
It doesn’t end there.
It can also help (significantly) reduce your carbon footprint because of the lesser amount of energy required to heat your home.
Q Which loft insulation is composed of?
A: The most commonly used loft insulation materials include wool rock mineral, fibreglass and foam. Each insulation method is a combination of various materials.
For example the loose-fill insulation typically utilizes fibreglass cellulose as well as recycled paper.
Q: What exactly does asbestos loft insulation appear like?
A: Due to asbestos’s risks the material is not used anymore as an insulation material. However, older buildings may contain asbestos, particularly in the floorboards and lofts.
If you want for the asbestos that is present in your house, look out for a blue or white fuzzy substance.
Q What is the best way to get an insulation free for my loft?
A: You are able to have free loft insulation when you are a part of this government’s ECO scheme that aims to increase the performance of houses.
You can determine whether you’re qualified on this page.
Sources
- https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-roof-and-loft-insulation
- https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/main/insulation-information/insulation-cost-and-savings/
- https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/article/loft-insulation-using-rigid-boards/
- https://www.edfenergy.com/insulation/loft-insulation
