In a home with an uninsulated, or poorly insulated loft space, up to a quarter of the building’s heat is lost through the roof. Improving the insulation in your roof space could cut your energy bills significantly by reducing the amount you use your heating, while also making your home much more comfortable during colder weather. There are also various government schemes and grants to help you pay for the cost of making your home more energy efficient, making the process even more attractive.

However, with so many different types of insulation to choose from, how do you know which is the best option for you and your home? We’ve put together this guide to the four most common types of roof insulation to help guide you in your decision.

Sheet insulation

This comes in the form of stiff boards, usually offers a high insulation value per millimetre and is generally quite easy to install yourself. The boards usually have to be cut down to fit between the rafters supporting your roof, although most suppliers will do this for you for an additional charge. Because sheet insulation sits between the rafters, it is easy to cover with with plasterboard for a neat finish.

The downside of sheet insulation is that it is relatively expensive and, depending on the type you choose, the energy used in its manufacture can be high, making it less eco-friendly. However, the excellent thermal efficiency of sheet insulation can make up for its high initial cost and there are greener options available, such as boards made from cork, straw and sustainable wood, to help limit your carbon footprint.

Blanket insulation

Also known as Batt insulation, blanket insulation is made of thick rolls of thermally efficient material with fibreglass being the most common type, although wool and cotton alternatives are also commonly used. Most types of blanket insulation are safe and easy to install, but some fibreglass varieties can irritate the skin, so gloves and other protective clothing should be worn when handling these materials.

Blanket insulation can be a little harder to cut and fit than sheet insulation, especially in smaller spaces, but it is usually very cost effective and sheep’s wool and recycled glass versions are highly environmentally-friendly. It is also normally possible to buy blanket insulation with acoustic panels fitted, providing both thermal and sound insulation in one installation.

Loose-fill insulation

Made from granules or loose fibres, this is generally a relatively cheap option and is often used to top up existing insulation, rather than as the sole thermal barrier for a loft space. It is especially good for filling awkward spaces where it would be hard to fit other, bulkier forms of installation. Common types include mineral wool, cellulose fibres and cork granules.

While loose-fill insulation can be fitted by DIYers, depending on the type used there can be a risk of skin and eye irritation and inhalation, so using the correct protective equipment is absolutely essential. There is also the danger that if your roof has any gaps or loose tiles the insulation can escape from the roof space, making a mess and compromising the thermal efficiency of the roof space.

Blown fibre insulation

This uses small fibres of materials such as mineral wool, recycled newspaper or sheep’s wool that are blown by a machine into the spaces that need insulating. This is a really fast and efficient way of improving a roof’s thermal efficiency, but you will need a specialist company to perform the installation due the equipment required making blown fibre insulation a more expensive choice.

However, when recycled newspaper is used, this is one of the most environmentally-friendly options. It has excellent thermal insulation properties and is ideal for use in tight or otherwise awkward spaces where it would be hard to get in and fit other forms of insulation.

Whatever insulation you go for, it’s not going to do you much good if the roof above it is in bad condition. Every Metrotile steel roof comes with a 40 year weatherproof guarantee, meaning you can be confident of a wind and watertight loft space that’ll help keep your insulation in great condition and working efficiently for years to come. To find out more about our products or to request a quote, call us today on 01249 658 514 or use our online contact form and we will get back to you.