In order for you loft conversion insulation to comply with UK building regulations it is required that you insulate your loft. Use of thermal insulation is mandatory.
Both walls and ceiling must be insulated in your new loft. The primary reason for this is to conserve energy within the building and reduce heat loss. Insulation is also used to keep your room warm during the winter months, and cool during the Summer months. Due to widely varying temperatures found in the UK it is important that quality insulation is used.
The 'thermal conductivity factor' is used to grade the quality of insulation materials. The quality is represented by "K", the lower the "K" value the better the insulation. The lower the "K" value, the less materials you will need to complete your task of loft conversion insulation. The less materials you use will result in extra headroom in your new loft.
The thermal insulation used in the roof will need to be of a high standard. The thinner the insulation, the more headroom you will have in your room. The insulation will need to be fitted between the rafters, with a gap for air remaining to enable good cross ventilation. The trick to roof insulation is to use as minimal materials while still complying with building regulations. Much of a buildings heat is lost through the roof, therefore effective roof insulation in your loft is vital.
The required standard for wall insulation is not as high as that of the roof. When completing your insulation in the walls, you can choose from any of the standard insulation materials. Standard materials should be suitable but you may need to insulate party walls in the roof.
It is important to use the correct grade of insulation material in order to have energy saving, noise reducing and legal loft conversion insulation.
