Rigid loft insulation works to curb rising heat levels in your attic, creating an effective thermal shield against colder weather outside and helping lower energy costs at home. Plus, this form of protection keeps energy bills down too!
There is an assortment of types available, ranging from natural sheep’s wool to cost-effective fibreglass options, so it is crucial that you select one suitable to your individual needs.
They’re easy to install
Loft insulation can make your home warmer, dryer and cheaper to run while also protecting against condensation.
Insulation comes in various forms – loose fill, rolls, rigid boards and multi-foils can all offer effective thermal insulation, but it’s essential that you select the most appropriate option for your individual needs.
Rigid board insulation is an ideal choice for larger lofts as its half the thickness of rolls and provides greater thermal values than multifoil options. Plus, its easy cutting makes fitting snugly between joists or rafters simple!
Calculate how much additional insulation depth you require by taking into account existing insulation, and this will serve as a guide when purchasing rolls of insulation.
They’re cheaper than rolls
Consider rigid boards when considering the cost of insulating your loft space – they offer higher thermal values at half the thickness, and are easy to cut to size for optimal insulation between joists or rafters.
Rigid boards offer another great choice for storage directly atop insulation. Cheaper than rolls, rigid boards can help create both base and top layers for an insulating loft space.
Loft insulation comes in many different forms, including natural and breathable choices like sheep’s wool. Sheep’s wool is one of the more popular options as it provides both thermal and acoustic insulation while remaining safe to touch without irritating skin.
They’re easy to store
Rigid insulation boards make a perfect choice if you need to insulate an attic space or loft conversion that requires significant insulation, providing exceptional insulating value at half the thickness of blanket rolls, while being easy to store.
Insulation boards are also more economical than blow-in insulation, which may become costly to add onto over time if left untouched for too long.
Contrary to loose-fill insulation, rigid boards can be cut to size and fitted snugly between joists and rafters without gaps between. You can even drill holes through them for light fittings.
Prior to installing your first layer of insulation, it is vitally important to assess the height of your joists. If they are too low, this could hinder achieving the recommended depth of 270mm for insulation coverage.
They’re easy to cut
Insulation sheets for lofts can be easily cut when using the appropriate tools and safety precautions. By compressing and cutting insulation to size with an effective straight-edge board and sharp utility knife, rigid loft insulation cuts easily.
If you’re cutting fibreglass insulation, spray the blade with WD-40 prior to beginning so as to prevent it from dulling as quickly, and make it easier and less likely to slip out of position while cutting. This will also help make cutting faster!
To achieve maximum accuracy, it’s necessary to mark out a line on the insulation sheet with a marker and double-check its accuracy using a tape measure.
Once this step has been completed, lay the insulation over a scrap piece of plywood with its foil or kraft-paper vapor barrier facing up. Next, cut a 2X4 that is at least 12 inches longer than its width.
Kneeling on a 2X4, compress one side of the board by pressing down with your foot to compress it into place, using your hand to press down on both sides and to keep perpendicularity with insulation. Once set in place, use your utility knife to cut through either side of your marked line with it to finish slicing through batt insulation and keeping board flat against insulation.