Good info on insulation

Tim Robbins

Hi,
My Mother's house is built early 70's. Insulation is absolutely rubbish. I was thinking of taking out the paper thin insulation in the attic and putting in some better quality fiber glass. Anybody good any good tips or advice on this?
Thanks.

muffler

I'll move this along to the DIY forum. Probably get more replies there.

10-10-20

The best tip is to just do it!
Despite the fuel crisis in the 70's, insulation seemingly wasn't taken seriously till the 80's/90's.

So, you've got to get a plan together as to what and where you will insulate.

Is the attic converted?
Where is the insulation presently? Between the roof rafters or between the ceiling beams? (I suspect ceiling).
Depending on this, I'd measure the depth of the beams and aim to replace the current insulation with 200mm of rock-wool insulation.
If this level brings you above the top of the beams, then you need to look at laying the insulation in layers, and having the top layer lie diagonally across the beams.

Anyhow, get back to us on the specifics of the job and we can all advise!

ScottishDanny

Dont remove the existing insulation, put the new stuff on top. I bought stuff that has a kind of plastic sleeve over the insulation with a foil side as well but rockwool is just as good. Make sure you measure the area first and don't forget to insulate the trap door going into the attic.

10-10-20

I'm sorry - ScottishDanny is correct. You shouldn't remove the old stuff.

And don't insulate under the cold water tank either!

Tim Robbins

10-10-20 wrote:

I'm sorry - ScottishDanny is correct. You shouldn't remove the old stuff.

And don't insulate under the cold water tank either!

Thanks for response. Why do you not insulate other the cold tank?
Also the insulation is currently on the floor, I am not sure what the thickness of the beams is.
Also are there different types, qualities of fiberglass?

I am quite bad asthma so I am not sure if I can do this myself. But I would like to all the research so I get the right person.

10-10-20

You shouldn't insulate under the tank as you need to use the rising heat to keep it from freezing in the winter.

Yes, there are many different types and thicknesses, here is detail from a list I have...

Product Source Type [L (M)] [W (cm)] [Depth mm]
Comfort Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 6 40 100
Comfort Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 6 60 100
Comfort Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 5 40 140
Comfort Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 5 60 140
Premium Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 6 40 60
Premium Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 6 60 60
Premium Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 5 40 80
Premium Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 5 60 80
Premium Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 4 40 100
Premium Insulation Roll www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie Sheep's wool 4 60 100
ISOVER www.leroymerlin.fr Glass Wool, alu foil backed 6 120 200
ISOVER www.leroymerlin.fr Glass Wool 10 45 70
ISOVER www.leroymerlin.fr Glass Wool 5.3 120 80
ISOVER www.leroymerlin.fr Glass Wool 7 120 100
ISOVER www.leroymerlin.fr Glass Wool 5.4 120 200
ISOVER www.leroymerlin.fr Glass Wool 3 120 260

(Ignore the reference to leroymerlin - it's in France). You can get ISOVER in most providers. Sheeps wool may be better for you to use as it's not so difficult to work with. Quality is pretty linear with the major brands. You just need to attain a uniform distribution of insulation across the roof to 200mm or above.