Insulating your Attic or Loft

Insulating your Attic or Loft

Insulating your Attic can save you money.

Knowing how to insulate attic flooring is a useful skill and effective fitting will ultimately save energy by reducing the amount heat that is lost through the roof. Following a few simple steps will enable you to undertake the task yourself so that you can save even more money.

List of tools and materials needed to Insulate your Attic
Insulation material or kit
Overalls
Face mask
Protective gloves
Caulk
Tape measure
Scissors
Notepad and pen
Measure the dimensions of your Attic

In knowing how to insulate your attic properly, you must also know the dimensions of the

area you will be working on. To make sure that you get the correct amount of insulation material for the job, you should carefully measure the relevant area.

This process will also allow you to examine the attic floor to determine whether any rectification work is required before insulation can take place. Look for any gaps or cracks in the flooring that may cause the insulation to become less effective. Decide whether loose or rolled insulation is more suitable for your individual needs. 

Prepare the Attic or Loft before starting the Insulation process

After gathering all the necessary tools and materials, the process of insulating the attic flooring can continue by correctly preparing the space. Move any portable items away from the area and clean the attic of any dust and debris. Apply caulk to any sites that require repair. If the light in the attic is insufficient to work in, put some temporary lighting in place before you begin.

Many types of insulation contain materials that can irritate the skin and respiratory system, so it is important to protect yourself with overalls, gloves and a face mask.

Lay the Attic Insulation

For rolls of insulating material, begin at the outer wall and lay the moisture barrier down against the floor surface. Tuck in the edges of the material against the joists and unfurl it along the space between them. Without stretching it, carefully pass the insulation beneath any power cables so that neither suffer damage. If the roll is longer than the space, use a pair of scissors to cut it before tucking all the edges against the joists. Continue in this manner throughout the attic and don’t forget to do the same with the top of the access hatch. Ensure that you leave a gap of at least three inches between the insulation and any lighting fixtures to eliminate fire risks. 

If the joists in your attic are of a sufficient height and there is not a whole house fan in place, loose insulation can be appropriate. Pour the loose material over the attic floor so that it is as even as possible. Use a gloved hand to spread the material beneath cables and pipes. This will not be appropriate for the top of the access hatch, so attach a piece of blanket insulation instead.

Tidy up

After completing the necessary work, you must ensure that the materials do not transfer to the rest of your house. Bag up any excess insulation before removing it from the attic and place your overalls in another bag. The overalls should be washed separately from the normal laundry.

Further Insulation measures

There are plenty of other steps you can take at relatively low cost especially with the government supported SEI grants scheme. The next article will cover insulating your cavity walls.

Other articles you might like;

• Excellent Reasons To Invest In Scaffolding Instead Of Renting | http://www.article-archive.com/
• Make Money Online Easy And Quick Using Small Niche Web-Sites
• Alcoholic Symptoms Along with How That they Advance | http://www.article-archive.com/
• Low Cost Search Engine Optimization For Article Marketers | Article Directory
• The Best Way To Use Your Concrete Cut Off Saw By Using A Diamond Concrete Saw Blade
• Make Money Online Easy With Small Niche Web-Sites | Article Directory
• Tips on how to Get Your Dream House for Less - Tips about buying the best home in Jonesboro Arkansas
• Some of the Reasons To Look for The best Stressless Recliner | Article Directory
• Abdomen Flattening Workouts To Improve An individual‘s Wellbeing
• DUI Insurance - What You Need To Do After An Alcohol Related Driving Conviction