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How to paint kitchen cabinets
02 Jul 2024
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Use our expert advice to help you choose the right type of loft insulation for your home and budget.
Installing loft insulation can cut your energy bills and help keep your home warm, as it prevents heat escaping through the loft.
Find out how much you should expect to pay for loft insulation, and how long it takes to pay for itself, in our guide to loft insulation costs and savings.
Building regulations recommend an optimum depth of 270mm for insulation, and all new build houses since 2003 should be insulated to this level.
However, even if your property was built after 2003 it's worth checking the thickness of your loft insulation as shortcuts may have been made during the building process.
Insulation thicker than 270mm won't cause any problems, but will only provide very minor improvements.
For tips on where to start insulating the rest of your property, such as floors and walls, read our guide on how to insulate your home.
There are several different types of loft insulation to choose from and a variety of loft insulation materials available:
This is probably the most common type of insulation. It is available in rolls of foil-backed felt, rock, glass or mineral fibre.
For tips on small jobs you can do to improve your insulation, read our guide to how to draught proof your home.
This is made from a variety of granular or lightweight materials such as cork granules, mineral wool or cellulose fibre. Greener types of loose-fill insulation include recycled newspaper.
Insulation is just one way to cut your costs, read our top tips to reduce your heating bills to find out more ways to save.
Sheet insulation is designed for insulating the sloping sides of the roof and comes in the form of firm boards.
Some sheet insulation boards are available with a fire-resistant, moisture-resistant or decorative covering. It can be ordered precut to specific sizes, usually at an additional cost.
You’ll need a professional contractor to install blown-fibre insulation - the insulation is blown into the gaps between joists.
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