Loft insulation in 1852 house.

[allistair]

My house was constructed in 1852 and the roof space is closed.

The previous owner placed some insulation in there but it is time it was improved.

With all these products on the market, which should I choose to insulate the floor space of my loft and as it is does not contain any ventilation should I install some by the use of ventilated tiles or ridges?

Thanks

Allistair

 

[Nemesis]

Well, we have had a fair bit of discussion recently about nautural v man made insulation - so I'm not going there again! Thermafleece is my choice I think, but it's expensive and others have reservations.

However - ventilation yes, have a look at :

http://www.lapvent.co.uk/index.html?PHPSESSID=6313a486b2bc36cfefd623d425b87463

 

[Lime]

Most if not all old houses will have had no felt or sarking fitted under the tiles so ventilation is not usually a problem.
Roof ventilators are necessary when impermeable roofing felt has been used.
However the modern light-weight material is permeable to air and does not require further ventilation.
When I increased the insulation of my loft I inserted two old-style metal vents at either end of the house loft to ensure good ventilation.
They were a few £s from a local reclamation yard and were quite easy to fit once a brick was carefully cut out. Inside I fitted a fly screen to stop wasps etc from taking up home as they can be a nuisance.

 

[Nemesis]

If in doubt - e-mail Bryan and ask.

Give him our regards!

 

[MdB]

I was worried about ventilation in my loft space (the house survey raised it) until I actually went and had a look at it. The felt has lots of holes in it and is on the way out. Bats have also found their way in though fortunately the rain (as yet) has not. Something to worry about in the future.

 

[skier-hughes]

Bats..... be careful with what you do... If you do need to do anything at all in your loft space you need to speak to English Heritage and get them to send an inspector out to survey your property and tell you what you can and can't do, what you can and can't use and when you can or can't do it!!!!!!

We were lucky they found no evidence of any nesting in ours.

Very nice chap came round to see us, extrewmely interesting.

They are volunteers so it takes weeks to get it all done.......

Graham

 

[Nemesis]

It's not English Heritage..


It does take a long time, thirteen years since we notified about our bats, we are still waiting for the visit...

http://www.bats.org.uk/

 

[worms]

Most if not all old houses will have had no felt or sarking fitted

Unless you are in Scotland where having no sarking would be extremely unusual.

 

[Lime]

Most if not all old houses will have had no felt or sarking fitted

Unless you are in Scotland where having no sarking would be extremely unusual.

Sorry.
I'm just a southerner.

 

[Nemesis]

Many also will have had it fitted at sometime in the past - not the modern breathable stuff. Outr house certianly has.

I think Bryan's invention is a very interesting one.