ABOUT LOFT INSULATION

Loft insulation works through the use of materials which prevent the movement of heated air. Fibre matting traps air within it, stopping the movement of air. It is important that such matting should not be compressed, as this will reduce its effectiveness. An alternative to matting is loose fill material, such as vermiculite, which also prevents the movement of heated air.

Loft insulation matting is usually made of mineral fibre or fibreglass. The thickness of the matting may be from four to eight inches, and the width is typically 16 inches. The currently recommended thickness of loft insulation in the UK is eight inches.

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Loose fill materials such as vermiculite can be blown into the space between the joists, whose depth may need to be increased. They can also be poured from bags. Eight inch thickness of loss fill insulation is recommended. Loose fill material is easier to lay than matting, if the area contains awkward spaces.

LEADING UK SUPPLIERS OF LOFT INSULATION

Knauf Loft Insulation. Knauf Insulation is a leading supplier of mineral wool matting for loft insulation. The UK arm of Knauf Insulation was formed as Pilkington Insulation in 1946. It now supplies a range of loft insulation materials, including rock mineral wool and glass mineral wool. Knauf insulation may be installed between the joists in the floor of a loft, or between the sloping rafters in the roof of a loft.

Rockwarm Loft Insulation. Rockwarm is an independent company supplying loft insulation and cavity wall insulation throughout the Midlands. Over the last 18 years it has insulated more than 90,000 properties. The website contains information on grants offered for loft insulation by energy companies, including EDF Energy, Powergen, and Scottish Power. These grants are offered because recent Government initiatives have stipulated that the major UK utility companies must put money into addressing energy efficiency issues. Rockwarm will apply for these grants on the customer's behalf.

Isover Loft Insulation. Isover, a subsidiary company in the Saint Gobain group, supplies glass wool for loft insulation. It is the world's leading manufacturer of mineral wool loft insulation. The basic raw materials of Isover loft insulation are natural sand, to which recycled glass and fluxing agents like soda ash are added. Recycled glass may represent up to 80 % of the batch. The batch is melted around 1450 °C in an electric or gas furnace.

Free Insulation. The freeinsulation.co.uk website is produced by Energy Link. Energy Link puts customers in contact with reputable insulation installers who specialise in loft insulation and cavity wall insulation. The installation companies have access to various grant schemes. The alternative approach of of applying directly to a utility company ties the customer to the particular grant scheme operated by that utility company.

USEFUL LINKS RELEVANT TO LOFT INSULATION

Association for the Conservation of Energy

Building Regulations Part L: Conservation of Fuel & Power

Carbon Trust

Diydata advice on choice and installation of loft insulation

Energy Saving Trust

National Association of Loft Insulation Contractors

Thermal Insulation Manufacturers & Suppliers Association

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON LOFT INSULATION

We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include manufacturers' specifications and CAD details: Barbour Compendium at www.barbourcompendium.co.uk, RIBA Product Selector Plus at ww.productselector.co.uk, ASC Bricsnet at www.ascinfo.co.uk, Building Products Index at www.bpindex.co.uk, British Board of Agrément at www.bbacerts.co.uk, British Standards Online at www.bsonline.bsi-global.com.

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Other recommended portals: Archbone, Building Design, Homeone Australia, Lighting Directory, Sapling, Stone Network.

Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd which also publishes a directory of the world's best websites. It is financed only by Google advertisements; no payment is received from included websites.