Spray foam is versatile and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Spray foam can be used on roofs, windows and attics as well underfloor heating systems and interior and external walls.
Spray foam insulation is not only warm and comfortable in winter but also cools your home in summer. The “Cell” structure of the composition allows for moisture to escape, which helps to allow the house to breathe.
Other applications include farm houses, industrial and commercial buildings, sheds as well shipping containers and vessels.
It also acts as an airtight shield around the house to keep out cold wind and rain. It allows the heat from your home to escape, which is what most other insulating products today fail to do.
Spray foam insulation is without doubt the most efficient insulating material today. It has a higher insulating value than other materials like rock wool or fiberglass.
Spray foam insulation is also a good sound barrier. It reduces outside noise by up to 50%. This is especially beneficial for companies or homes located in densely populated areas or near airports.
It’s commonly used to block sound from traveling between rooms or floors. It’s especially effective on bathroom walls because noises from flushing toilets or showers can make it a nuisance.
It is very easy to use and doesn’t cause any disruption to everyday life.
It is possible to insulate a traditional Irish house in one day.
It reduces the noise of in-wall and under-floor pipes by encasing them and isolating them.
If you plan on using the loft/attic as storage space, you should lay boards above the joists. You won’t get thick insulation if the insulation isn’t thick enough if the insulation is only applied between the joists.
This material reduces the sound transference significantly when it is used within walls, attics or roofs, as well as floors, in comparison with fibreglass, rock wool, and polystyrene board. The dense composition of the material and the application process result in a completely airtight enclosure. It is able to block sound from the exterior environment (e.g. traffic, pedestrians, etc.) and prevents infiltration in areas where there are airports or heavy industries.
It also blocks sounds from a structure’s walls from reaching other floors, including the floors below. Spray foam insulation would dramatically reduce the noises that are often generated in a structure.
Spray foam insulation is flexible but densely packed with millions if minute air bubbles. This will absorb vibrations from the floor as well as the sound waves. Spray foam insulation reduces sound transmission by sealing any cracks or crevices that airborne noises can travel through.
Spray foam insulation is also effective in dampening, if no longer completely eliminating, any sounds that might be emanating from a floor like water running through pipes. The insulation completely surrounds pipes to prevent them from moving and keeps them secure. It eliminates the sound that is made when hot water flows through pipes from heating system. This causes wooded joints to expand, creak, and groan.
It also stops heat escaping from the upper floors. Lower floors become cooler which, in turn, requires more heat. Upper floors then become too hot.
If the loft has no condensation or damp problems and is easily accessible, insulation will be very easy.
An uninsulated home loses 25% of its heat through its roof. Insulating your attic, loft, or flat roof can reduce heat loss and lower your heating bills.
If it’s easy to access your loft and your joists are straight, you can use rolls mineral wool insulation. The insulation begins by placing the first layer between the joists. These are the horizontal beams that form the loft’s floor. A second layer is then laid at right angles to cover and seal the joists.
You can raise your floor to provide enough insulation. You can install timber battens on the floor joists. Or, you can use purpose-built legs made of plastic that fit on the leg and support the floor. To prevent condensation, make sure there is a vent between the insulation boards and the insulation.
When you attach the boards to the board, make sure not to squash the mineral wool. This will lower its insulation.
Insulation stops heat loss from living spaces. By making your loft space cool, you can prevent damp or condensation from developing. Loft insulation can be done by the homeowner, but you might need to increase the ventilation.
The insulation can be fitted between and over the roofing rafters, which are the flat timbers that support the roof. You have the option of using rigid insulation boards carefully cut to size or foam insulation sprayed between your rafters.
Some companies might offer to repair your roof if it is damaged or leaky. They will spray foam insulation directly onto the roof’s underside without fixing the problem. This is something that we do not recommend. It is important to ensure that your roof remains dry before installing insulation.
If you would like to use your loft’s roof space as a heating room, then you should take a different approach and make a separate room.
You will need to insulate the loft walls and ceilings if you intend to use it as your living space.
For your home to remain fresh, dry, healthy and clean, it needs air flow. Installers who are skilled will make sure that you don’t block or seal off any ventilation. When DIY insulation is done, ensure that you don’t cover any vents grilles or airbricks.
If you have difficulty accessing your loft, a professional can install the appropriate insulation. The specialist equipment will blow the insulation material into any difficult space. They may use mineral wool fibres, treated cellulose foam or polyurethane.
Flat roof insulation is a great way to save money on heating, as well as loft insulation. The amount of flat roofing on a property will determine how much savings you get.
If the loft is accessible and not covered by a flat roof or damp, you may be able to insulate the loft yourself. Professional installation is recommended for those with damp problems and more complicated insulation systems.
Your loft hatch could become colder due to the cooler air. Install an insulated loft hatch to prevent cold draughts.
Insulating your ground-floor is a great idea to keep your property warm and lower your energy bills.
Insulating a loft can be one of the best ways to lower your heating bills, save money on energy and keep your home warm during the winter. Even if the loft already has insulation in place, it is essential to use it at its best.
Loft floor rolls are the traditional choice. These roll out along the loft floor. These are easier than insulated floor boards and require less tools and take less time to lay. They are available in loose and encapsulated rolls (blanket) and can be used for both top and bottom layers. You can use stilts or boards to board them. This will create a raised platform that is suitable for storage.
These suggestions and recommended items aren’t included in this article’s list of materials or tools. It is important to make sure that you have all the information you need before you start insulation your loft floor.
Even though insulation is often present in homes, some may not be effective. This could be due to insulation being compressed by storage boards placed over it or if it hasn’t been topped up in the long-term. In some older properties, the loft floor may only be 25mm deep.
Good news is that you don’t need to remove existing loft floor insulation. You can simply add one or two layers of insulation to the loft floor to achieve the recommended amount. We will discuss how much to recommend in the next section.
Your loft floor’s spacings will dictate the width of your roll. This is because insulation will be rolled between the joists. We recommend selecting one that is close to your joist spacing. It will reduce the need to trim.
The insulation’s thermal resistance. If you only want to lay loft rolls, there is an alternative method that measures the insulation thickness. For more information, see the section ‘How do I calculate the thickness of loft floor insulation?
Parkhill, Dublin