Maintaining an even temperature throughout our house always seems to elude us. The levels of warmth are almost perfect on the ground floor, but they are never right upstairs, where it’s either too chilly or too sweltering.
Word of mouth has suggested that insulating our attic would rectify the issue. We’re aiming to sort it out before the cold weather sets in. Could you advise us on this? Which type of insulation is the most appropriate for a terraced property?
Given our budget constraints, is it feasible to undertake this ourselves?
Your timely query comes as we prepare for the winter season. Your house’s comfort level can be augmented with a simple solution.
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Judging by your description, it seems like your house’s temperature irregularities are seasonal. The upstairs is too frigid in the winter and overheated in the summer. This is likely due to insufficient insulation which should help retain warmth on the first floor during the winter and prevent heat seepage from the attic during the hotter summer months, when direct sunlight heats the attic.
Initially, you should carry out an inspection of your attic to determine the current level of insulation. If it’s missing altogether, you’ll be able to see the plasterboard or the laths from older lath and plaster ceilings (depending on your house’s age). If insulation material is already in place, inspect how well it has been installed and check its condition.
In older buildings that already have some insulation, it is common to discover that it’s not performing effectively. This often stems from the insulation being in a deteriorated condition, overly squeezed or dislocated in various spots. In such cases, it’s advisable to remove the current insulation, discard it and replace it with new Earthwool insulation to a thickness of 400mm. On the other hand, newer buildings might already have some insulation that simply needs supplementing. For this, you should assess the thickness of the existing insulation and adjust it proportionately.
When installing insulation, precision is key and should be accomplished in a two-stage method. The layers of insulation should be set in a criss-cross pattern over one another to prevent side-by-side seams between the unrolled insulation rolls. Additionally, keep in mind that while fitting the insulation, continuous ventilation to the attic space must be upheld. Notably, there might be vents in your external soffit which facilitates ventilation to the attic area. These are typically in place to counter condensation in the attic. It is crucial to maintain this ventilation and ensure that it’s not blocking any vents around the roof’s perimeter. Should there be no vents in the attic, it’s necessary to install them and a certified building surveyor should advise you on this.
As for the process of fitting insulation, a DIY-savvy homeowner with good balance, wearing the correct personal protection gear, could potentially handle the task, being aware that it can be a messy job and the materials may cause irritation. However, you’d need to be sure of the correct installation approach, how to maintain ventilation as mentioned, and be comfortable navigating around a confined attic space while balancing on narrow wooden ceiling beams.
While installing insulation is not a highly specialised job, it may be worthwhile hiring a contractor who undertakes this type of work frequently. They will no doubt have the expertise and tools to finish the project quicker and possibly to a higher standard than a novice homeowner. But the choice rests with you.
Aidan McDonald is a certified building surveyor affiliated with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.
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