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Reducing home heat loss

Roof and loft insulation

Benefits

  • Significant savings on your energy bills
  • Easy and quick to install
  • Keep the heat in your home

A quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is an effective way to reduce heat loss and reduce your heating bills.

Installed correctly, loft insulation should pay for itself many times over in its 40-year lifetime.

Choosing loft insulation

If your loft is easy to access and has no damp or condensation problems, it should be easy to insulate – and in many cases, it is possible to do it yourself.

If access is easy and your loft joists are regular, you can use rolls of mineral wool insulation. The first layer is laid between the joists – the horizontal beams that make up the floor of the loft – then another layer is laid at right angles to cover the joists and make the insulation up to the required depth.

Things to consider when installing loft insulation

Costs and savings

England, Scotland and Wales

0mm - 270mm loft insulation

120mm - 270mm loft insulation

Northern Ireland

0mm - 270mm loft insulation

100mm - 270mm loft insulation

DIY loft insulation

If your loft is easy to access, does not have damp problems and is not a flat roof, you could probably insulate it yourself. In cases where there are damp problems or a more complex insulation system is needed, a professional installer should be used.

Flat roof insulation always requires professional insulation and damp roofs require professional assessment before work can be carried out.

Pipes, water tank and loft hatch

Insulating between the joists of your loft will keep your house warmer, but make the roof space above colder.

This means pipes and water tanks in the loft space could be more likely to freeze, so you will need to insulate them. If your water tank is some distance from the loft hatch, you will also need something to walk on for safe access.

The cooler air in your insulated loft could mean that cold draughts come through the loft hatch. To prevent this, fit an insulated loft hatch and put strips of draught-excluding material around the hatch edges.

Finding an installer

The National Insulation Association (NIA) is a member organisation for the insulation industry in the UK.

Members agree to follow a code of professional practice to ensure that customers who use them receive excellent customer service. You can use their website to find an NIA installer near you.

Make sure the installer you choose is registered with TrustMark, a government-endorsed quality scheme for all work carried out in the home. You can use the service to find approved installers in your area.

If you’re based in Scotland, call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282. You can also visit Historic Environment Scotland’s The Engine Shed for information on how to insulate traditionally constructed buildings.

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Last updated: 20 September 2024