What we found
This is a common sight in older homes. Between the joists there was a layer of dust, old lagging, scraps of wrapping and a few thin, flattened patches of insulation. TV and electrical cables were trailing across the joists, and old pipe lagging had been left where it fell. Heat from the rooms below was escaping almost straight into the roof.
What we did
- Cleared out the debris, old wrapping and loose lagging, bagged it and took it away.
- Lifted cables up and out of the way so the new insulation could lie flat and nothing was buried under it.
- Laid new mineral wool between the joists, then a second layer across them, bringing the loft up to the widely recommended 270mm.
- Kept the insulation back from the eaves so air can still flow through the roof space and condensation doesn't build up.
The result
The loft went from almost no working insulation to the full recommended depth, laid evenly and with no gaps. In a house like this, that's one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make.
Not sure how much you've got up there? Our guide on how much loft insulation you need explains how to check. Or see our loft insulation service.
