If you do have existing roof insulation the first thing to do is to check the depth if there is only 25mm of insulating material then this is likely to date back to the 1970s as this type of.
How much insulation do i need in my roof.
If you re concerned about your building s insulation the best thing to do is talk to your roofer.
For example cathedral ceilings built with 2x12 rafters have space for standard 10 inch batts r 30 and ventilation.
They can explain local codes and how many vents they intend to install on your roof.
A total value of r 13 is recommended in southern climates and r 30 is recommended in northern ones.
And there s even more good news.
First things first you need to go up into your attic inspect the condition of the insulation and calculate the current level of insulation.
All you need to do is input the size of your loft or roof space.
Also your building codes may dictate how many and which kind of vents you need to use.
Where to install insulation.
If you want to use your loft as a heated room then you need to take a slightly different approach and create a proper room in the roof.
These minimum insulation levels are higher if your roof has an upper surface absorbance value of more than 0 4.
We do not recommend that you do this.
If you can t install cold loft insulation because for example you re using your loft as a living space you will need to consider warm loft insulation.
Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live.
For a warm loft you install insulation directly under the roof in the plane of the roof s pitch slope.
Inspecting your attic insulation.
As with any type of insulation you need to make sure that the roof is dry and in good condition before any insulation is added.
Install insulation under the roofing material to reduce radiant heat gain.
Roofs and ceilings work in conjunction when it comes to insulation.
Unvented hot roof design cathedral ceilings are also an option.
The hot roof design allows more insulation to be installed in the roof cavity as the need for a vent space is eliminated.
Floors don t need as much insulation as attics.
So fitting insulation in your loft attic or roof space is a great way to improve your home s cosiness factor.