--- title: Roofing Loft Insulation date: 2018-08-09T16:38:00+01:00 author: Josh Mustafa canonical_url: "https://www.assetsure.com/homes/roofing-loft-insulation/" section: News --- Our Customers Love Us! Property Insurance [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) ### Get a Quote. Choose from our range of insurances below [Home](/) › [Property Insurance](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/) › [Roofing Loft Insulation](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/roofing-loft-insulation/) # Roofing Loft Insulation Installing proper roof insulation will cut down on heating bills and protect pipes in lofts areas connected to expensive plumbing systems, during the cold weather. The cost of installing loft insulation will eventually be recouped through the savings made on electricity and gas bills heating the house. Heat loss lost through the roof accounts for about a quarter of the total amount of heat that escapes from most normal properties in the UK. Yet for a modest outlay this can be dramatically reduced. Likewise the cost of home insurance claims related to leaking water coming from the roof and through ceilings (as a result of frozen pipes in the loft) is considerable. The loft or attic area of a property is the coldest area of the house and in winter time pipes become become frozen in extremely cold temperatures. Therefore lagging the pipes to prevent pipes from the freezing up and bursting is essential. To insulate the loft and protect pipe work you’ll need protective goggles, a face mask, gloves and a safety helmet. Handling insulation materials can be a messy job and the particles of dust and attach themselves to clothes and must never be breathed in. It prudent to wear a helmet because the limited headroom in most lofts can result in accidental bumps on the head if you’re not careful. Some lofts have been boarded over in the past while others simply have exposed joists sitting on top of the exposed ceiling plasterboard below. You will need to check the stability of the joists to ensure you can walk on them in order to prepare the insulation for laying. Never tread on the exposed ceiling below as you will more than likely put your foot right through the plaster board. To minimise the risk is it sensible to lay planks of wood across the joists and use these to stand on. It is generally recommended that you purchase insulation at a depth of 200mm (which is about 8 inches in old money). The depths you choose may be dictated by the existing height of the joists which is largely dependent upon the age of the property. The insulation must be laid in the gap between the joists. There are various types of instillation you can choose from. The most common is called blanket insulation which is made up of a large role of glass fibre, rock fibre or mineral fibre. It is sold in various standard widths which usually matches up with standard builders widths between the joists. Simply unroll it and gently place it between the joists connecting the ends together to ensure no gaps between the roles appear which would allow heat to escape from. The average length is around 23 feet and can be purchased from most DIY stores throughout the UK. Loose fill instillation involves pouring the material between the joists and levelling it off with a spreader. It’s a messy alternative to blanket installation as particles can get blown around from draughts over time. Slab installation is similar to blanket installation and comes in standard with sizes to match the joists spacing. It can provide a more snug alternative as well as acting as a potential sound insulator as well. Before laying the insulation remember to lag any pipe work laying between the joists and elsewhere in the loft space. Thick insulating spongy sleeves can be clipped round ordinary copper piping and can be taped off into position. Likewise if the cold water storage tank is located in the loft a padded jackets can be purchased to lag and protect this from the cold. It’s a good idea to leave a bit of a gap underneath the water storage tank so that warmth from the room below can enter the loft and help to prevent the cold water tank freezing up. ## Latest News & Advice [![Britain needs more Flats](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/britain-needs-more-flats/) ### [Britain needs more Flats](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/blocks-flats-insurance/britain-needs-more-flats/) We can trace the need to convert houses (including other buildings, not originally designed to be used as domestic dwelling homes) in to flats, back at least 150 years and possibly even further back to the time of the industrial revolution, which occurred in Great Britain during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.... [![Dealing with Woodworm and Dry Rot](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/woodworm-dry-rot/) ### [Dealing with Woodworm and Dry Rot](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/woodworm-dry-rot/) Woodworm, Dry Rot and Wet Rot. One of the most costly maintenance problems for homeowners is woodworm, dry rot and wet rot. If left untreated it can huge amounts of damage to the interior of your home. There are treatments and remedies to prevent it’s spread and to eliminate the problem it becomes critical. Woodworm is most commonly caused by the furniture beetle which leave larvae boreholes inside the major woodwork elements of a property. These area include the roof timbers, joists, staircase and floorboards. Woodworm can also infest ordinary household furniture causing a home insurance claim problem.... [![When Kids Leave](/assets/uploads/images/_800x405_crop_center-center_none/assetsure-banner-plain.jpg)](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/when-kids-leave/) ### [When Kids Leave](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/when-kids-leave/) When Kids Leave Home and Go to University. When children leave home, either on a permanent or semi permanent basis, some attention needs to applied to your home insurance policy. One of the first reasons, children leave home is to attend college or university, in the first year, many opt to live in the halls of residence or some will move in to a rental property with perhaps some friends. Which ever, they choose; you will need to make sure that you have adequate insurance for them.... [More News](https://assetsure.com/news) [Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com) [ View All ](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/assetsure.com)[ Get Quote ](#quickQuote) [Most Popular](#tabs__tabmost-popular)[Jewellery](#tabs__tabjewellery)[Leisure](#tabs__tableisure)[Collectables](#tabs__tabcollectables)[Events](#tabs__tabevents)[Hearing Aids](#tabs__tabhearing-aids)[Property](#tabs__tabhomes) [#### Engagement Ring Insurance ![Engagement Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/engagement-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/engagement-ring-insurance/) [#### Watch Insurance ![Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/watch-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) [#### Camera Insurance ![Camera Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/camera-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/camera-insurance/) [#### Home Insurance ![Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/home-insurance-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/) [#### Collectable Insurance ![Collectable Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/collectables-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/other/) [#### Bicycle Insurance ![Bicycle Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/bike-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/bicycles/bicycle-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Engagement Ring Insurance ![Engagement Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/engagement-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/engagement-ring-insurance/) [#### Insurance for Jewellery Collections ![Insurance for Jewellery Collections](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/jewellery-collection-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/insurance-for-jewellery-collections/) [#### Watch Insurance ![Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/watch-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/watch-insurance/) [#### Wedding Ring Insurance ![Wedding Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/wedding-ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/wedding-ring-insurance/) [#### Diamond Ring Insurance ![Diamond Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/diamond-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/diamond-ring-insurance/) [#### Earrings Insurance ![Earrings Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Earing-emerald-shutterstock_1156023577-mid.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/earrings-insurance/) [#### Standalone Jewellery Insurance ![Standalone Jewellery Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Standalone-Jewellery_-Shutterstock_2493208421.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/jewellery-insurance/) [#### Ring Insurance ![Ring Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/ring-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/ring-insurance/) [#### Rolex Watch Insurance ![Rolex Watch Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/rolex-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/rolex-insurance/) [#### Single Item Insurance ![Single Item Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/single-item-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/single-item-insurance/) [#### Safe Deposit Box Insurance ![Safe Deposit Box Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/safe-box-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/jewellery/safe-deposit-box-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Camera Insurance ![Camera Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/camera-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/camera-insurance/) [#### Musical Instrument Insurance ![Musical Instrument Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Guitar-thumb.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/leisure/musical-instrument-insurance/) [#### Bicycle Insurance ![Bicycle Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/bike-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/bicycles/bicycle-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Antique Insurance ![Antique Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Antiques-thumb.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/antique-insurance/) [#### Coin Insurance ![Coin Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/coins-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/coin-collections/) [#### Fine Art Insurance ![Fine Art Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/fine-art-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/fine-art-insurance/) [#### Handbag Insurance ![Handbag Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/handbag-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/handbag-insurance/) [#### Militaria & Military Collectables Insurance ![Militaria & Military Collectables Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/military-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/militaria-insurance/) [#### Stamp Insurance ![Stamp Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/stamps-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/stamp-collections/) [#### Wine Insurance ![Wine Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/wine-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/collectables/wine-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Hearing Aid Insurance ![Hearing Aid Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/hearing-aid-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/) [#### Home Insurance ![Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/home-insurance-feature.webp)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/home-insurance/) [#### High Net Worth Home Insurance ![High Net Worth Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/High-net-worth-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/high-net-worth-home-insurance/) [#### Listed Buildings Insurance ![Listed Buildings Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Listed-building-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/listed-buildings-insurance/) [#### Holiday Home Insurance ![Holiday Home Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Holiday-home-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/holiday-home-cover/) [#### Buy To Let Insurance ![Buy To Let Insurance](/assets/uploads/images/_tabLinkThumbnail/Buy-to-let-thumb.jpg)Get an instant quote](https://www.assetsure.com/homes/buy-to-let-insurance/) [ All Insurances](https://www.assetsure.com/insurance/)