Not everyone knows how to make their roof energy-efficient. Even fewer know how to do a quality job at it.
It’s easy to miss out on some things that would improve the overall energy savings if you’re not informed. Here is what you need to know (and do) to save energy:
1. WHERE DOES THE ENERGY LOSS OCCUR?
There are many areas around your home that can experience heat loss. The roof is one such area.
The science behind it is pretty simple. Warm air rises, so it’s obvious that it will go through the roof at some point – especially if it is not properly insulated.
One fourth of the total heat in your home is expected to go through the roof. That is not energy-efficient at all.
You need to insulate your roof if you expect to see results. There is a multitude of methods that can be used to insulate a roof depending on your performance goals.
If insulating externally you can create a warm roof environment which is a very popular choice to minimise the risk of condensation at the joists as the timbers will be kept entirely in the warm.
If retrofitting internally you will create a cold roof application. When installing this way ensure you have adequate ventilation above the joists to avoid condensation issues. Alternative you can use a single ply membrane for your waterproofing which will allow the roof to breath just enough but still stop water from penetrating into your home.
Pitched roofs are a different case. You have 2 main options here, either insulate at ceiling level or rafter level. Insulating at rafter level will give you a warm attic space which can then be used safely for storage or as a loft conversions. Whether you insulate internally or externally will depend on a variety of factors such as if its new built or retrofit and if you are re-tiling.
2. HOW TO CHOOSE THE INSULATION
As we mentioned, one-fourth of heat escapes through the roof. We’ve told you a few insulating techniques for your roof. However, how do you know which materials to choose?
It’s no use buying the most expensive material there is. High price does not guarantee high quality. It needs to be easy to install and versatile. That is, if you’re left with excess material, it should be of use someplace else:
- In cavity walls
- Around windows and doors
- In the floors, especially if you have suspended ground floors
Make sure the material is air-tight as well so as to help with preventing heat from escaping.
Many homeowners with rooms-in-loft also complain about their materials forming dust. This is because the insulation material starts to age and crumble.
You need a material that is durable and doesn’t leave debris behind. Nobody likes to wake up with a face full of dust!
3. MAKING THE LOFT ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Speaking of the loft rooms, you should insulate your pitched roof as instructed at the first step. If you intend to make a new room here, the extra insulation will help keep it warm.
This also saves you a lot of money and energy on heating. If you want to improve efficiency, you should start insulating the walls in your loft.
If you’ve done cavity wall insulation before, it’s just as easy to insulate your loft. Here’s a guide to do so if you haven’t.
In any case, with proper insulation on your roof, rafters, and in your loft, you will have a much more energy-efficient home.
If you’re not sure about what materials to choose for your project, give us a call today. We can help recommend the most efficient solution for your insulation problems.
Plus, you get to try out free material samples pack to gain access to valuable data sheets!
