10 INSULATE YOUR LOFT

While most lofts in UK homes will have some insulation already, often it’s thinner than the recommended depth for maximum benefit. By topping up your roof insulation from 120mm to 270mm, you could save an extra £14 a year on your energy bills, as well as making your home feel warmer. If it’s installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over during its 40-year lifetime. If your loft is easy to access and free from damp or condensation problems, it should be simple to insulate it yourself. If your loft joists are regular, you can use rolls of mineral-wool insulation. The first layer should be laid between the joists (the horizontal beams that form the floor of the loft), then another layer is laid at right angles to cover the joists and bring the insulation up to the required depth. Insulating between loft joists will keep your home warmer, but make the roof space colder, meaning pipes and water tanks could be more susceptible to freezing, so you’ll need to insulate them too.