Loft Insulation Cost Guide for More Savings

Loft insulation remains one of the most important factors to consider when assessing your home’s energy efficiency. As heat travels upwards, inadequate loft insulation means that most of it will escape.

• Up to 25% of home’s heat loss occurs through the loft.
• Many homes with loft insulation do not have the recommended 270mm thickness installed
• Loft Insulations can last over 40 years, making it a valuable investment.

Loft insulations help raise your quality of life, by making your home warmer while improving it’s air quality, this is because it helps reduce moisture and is made of materials that are usually mould resistant. It is vital to make sure that your loft insulation is installed by professionals that can make the task simple and clean, as some lofts have areas that can be hard to access and can be demanding of the labourers.

This blog will explore loft insulation costs and which can be the best choice for your home. It will also look into government grants provided that can help you install it for free.

Why The Cost of Loft Insulation Can Be Trivial?

Loft insulation can help you save around $400 a year, allowing them to pay for themselves in a short span of time. Their long life span means that they will be able to cover their costs a few times over. That is why many homeowners opt for them.

Their importance lies in your home’s energy efficiency. Insulations remain one of the most important factors when considering the efficiency of your home, which is why it is crucial to take steps to ensure your whole house is well insulated.

If we take labour costs into consideration when calculating how much loft insulation costs, an average of £200 would be added, depending on the time it takes and the installation company. Different insulations vary in the time they need to be installed, but most are done within one day, which is why it is better to book it a date and start now!

Can You Get a Free Loft Insulation Grant?            

Homeowners can be eligible for a free loft insulation grant if their homes lack it, and private tenants can also apply if they are on benefits. There are a few schemes that they can get a grant through, with the most popular being the ECO4 scheme. The Energy Company Obligation, launched in 2013, takes a whole-house approach to ensure you and your family are living in a more comfortable environment.

Once you apply for the free loft insulation, the assessor will be able to tell you if you qualify for any other free upgrades under the scheme. The ECO4 scheme is designed to help make your home as energy efficient as possible, to bring your carbon footprint down and lead the UK to a more sustainable future.

Other schemes include the LA Flex Scheme and Great British Insulation scheme (GBIS). The LA Flex scheme is aimed at homeowners who do not have adequate insulation but are not eligible through the ECO4 scheme.

How the Process Work:

There are many free eligibility checkers online. It is always recommended you apply through a reliable energy company that has been on the market for many years. Check your eligibility for free.

After you have confirmed your eligibility through one of the insulation schemes, you will be able to book an appointment to have your home assessed by the installer to help determine the best way it can be insulated. If you qualified through the ECO4, the installer could recommend other free upgrades for your home, which is why your assistance is vital in this stage.

You will then book your last appointment where the installation will take place.

Average Cost of Loft Insulation:

The following table shows, on average, how much it will cost to insulate your home if done by a professional. Loft insulation cost per m2 can vary, but in most cases, a £25 pack will cover an area of 8 m2. These costs are for mineral wool insulation, which is most popular.

Homeowners have found it effective to use more than one type of insulation in order to save space. By using insulation boards, for example, homeowners can help make more space as boards are thinner and do the same job. It is important to consider the thickness of your current insulation, as it helps determine how much more you will need to add.

It is important to consider the 270mm thickness that is recommended for homeowners. If your home has only 100mm, for example, then upgrading it to the recommended thickness will help you save on average the amounts mentioned in the next table.

How Much Does Loft Insulation Cost? 

Loft Insulation Cost Per m2  for Different Material

Blanket Insulations: The most common insulation in the UK is blanket insulation, also called quilt insulation. This is one of the cheapest but effective insulations, costing only an average of £10 per m2. They are popular thanks to their good thermal performance, ease of installation and versatility, making them easy to install.

They also have a long life span and are mould and fire resistant.

Board Insulation: Board insulations are thinner than other types of insulation, which is why they are usually used in conjunction with them. For this reason, they are more expensive, costing an average of £40 per m2.

They can be made from eco-friendly material, making them a greener option than many others, while at the same time having a high R-value, making them good fire-resistant.

Loose Fill Insulation: Can be easily installed in hard-to-reach places. It helps raise your comfort and quality of life by making your home warmer while improving the quality of air. Also has a high R-value while acting as a sound barrier, reducing noise pollution.

They are also available in eco-friendly materials like recycled fibreglass; loose fill insulations can cost an average of £15 per m2.

Spray Foam Insulation: Comes in liquid foam that hardens, making it an exceptional weatherization tool as it helps seal any areas where air can leak. This contributes to better air quality in your home. Its flexibility makes it another perfect choice for hard-to-reach spaces in your roof.

Is better done by professionals as installing them can be difficult and cause later problems like dampness if not wrong. Costs an average of £40 per m2.

If You Are Installing the Insulation Yourself

 It is important to buy the right gear if you are going to do the job yourself. Having the right overalls and gear will help make you safe and will allow you to perform a better job. Having a measuring tape and a cutter, like a knife, is important when installing boards and other materials that need to be shaped. Spray foam is exempt from this, but they will all need you to be wearing safety equipment, including goggles, a mask and gloves.

During the insulation, make sure that any water tanks or other electrical equipment are accessible, as insulations can make it difficult if they are to be serviced or repaired. Creating a walkway is therefore advised to help safeguard yourself from future inconvenience.

Condensation:

If you did a good job while installing the loft insulation, your loft temperature will drop, which can create a dampness problem. It is therefore recommended that you make sure all ventilation is working properly, and if professional help is needed to create new ventilation, then it is advised to do so. In general, around 25mm should be left at the edge of the insulation to allow proper ventilation.

If the loft is being used for storage, assess what might be vulnerable to moisture and consider buying storage boxes made from plastic or other waterproof materials.

Flat Roof Insulation

Warm roof insulation is popular in places where there are no loft spaces, like the kitchen, but that still needs to be insulated. Flat roof insulation is essential to keep the rest of your home warm and to bring your bills down.

Flat roof insulations are best done by professionals, as condensation has to be taken into factor. While the boards can be installed beneath the roof membrane, without a professional assessing it, it is hard to tell if a problem may arise.

When done right, flat roof insulation helps protect your roof from water accumulation, helping protect it from small water ponds and mould.

Conclusion

With many homes in the UK still struggling with lack of proper insulation, the cost of loft insulation remains an important topic, especially considering all the materials on the market. Your needs help determine which material you will be using and whether using professional help can be better for you.

Your home loft installation cost can vary, depending on the size of your home and materials you are using. Different companies offer different services, with some simply installing the insulation for you, while others take care of the aesthetics of your home, creating a design that will need approval.

Loft insulations continue to be vital for comfortable living, and if you have family members that are vulnerable, it might be worth it to check if they qualify for any government grants that can have the insulations installed for free. Use the free eligibility checker here.