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Canaboid · 17-11-2005, 11:14

I've moved into an old semi D with bugger all attic insulation so it's going to be an itchy weekend for me.

Does anyone have recommendations for the best type of insulation to use and where to get it a a reasonable price (south Dublin).

Any other tips on installing are greatly appreciated.

noby · 17-11-2005, 12:07

If you're using the rolls of fibreglass insulation, cut the rolls to the width of your ceiling joists. Any old saw should do it. Then when you roll them out, they'll fit snugly between the joists. Oh, and be sure to leave a gap at the end for ventilation at the eaves.

CJhaughey · 17-11-2005, 12:44

Rockwool is way less itchy than the fibreglass.
I used a long knife to cut it which didn't make as much dust as the saw.
the saw will be wrecked very quick cutting the insulation so get a cheap one if you use this method.
Get a "noddy suit" one of those disposable overalls that cost €5-00 each and wear it.
At the same time get a moldex dustmask they are great and will stop you hacking and itchy throat.
and one more thing a pair of long gloves -marigolds etc worn under the suit.
away ye go!!

Canaboid · 17-11-2005, 13:33

Thanks guys. Is there a difference in price/effectiveness between rock wool and fibreglass ?
Any ideas on the best place to get this, I'm thinking B&Q/Atlantic is there likely to be cheaper available ?

CJhaughey · 17-11-2005, 13:54

Rockwool is more expensive, try Capco CPD they can give good prices.

fintan · 17-11-2005, 15:17

If you want to a greener solution try something like thermo hemp

http://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems...ts/thermohemp/

It does cost a little more than rockwool, but has won awards plenty of awards and is 100% pollution free.

There are other people making insulation from hemp, so shop around

Muggins · 21-11-2005, 15:41

Any recommendations on where to buy the ThermoHemp in the vicinity of Cork city ?

fintan · 21-11-2005, 20:42

First place you should look muggins is the Sustainable directory

http://www.sustainable.ie/directory/index.php

Muggins · 22-11-2005, 00:25

I checked the link but could find any info on Thermo hemp. I also googled around but can't find any Irish based info. Any leads would be appreciated.

**Victor** · 22-11-2005, 00:35

Do not insulate without thinking things through properly or you could end up with a rooted roof from condensation. Make sure the attic is properly ventilated.

fintan · 22-11-2005, 09:36

Sorry the link was of no use to you

www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com is the Irish company behind thermohemp give them a call, Im sure they can arrange samples and delivery to Cork

KAGY · 22-11-2005, 09:54

I'd us a garden shears to cut insulation
In the current building regs (which don't actually apply to 2nd hand houses unless you're modifiying them) they suggest 150mm fibreglass or equivelent between the joists and min 100mm across them.
If you have a header tank in the attic you should remove any insulation from under it to stop it freezing in the winter, but insulate around and above it. You could use 100mm expanded ps to make a box from the ceiling level up, over and around it.
One small point about place insulation across the rafters is that you will have difficulty walking on them, it is suggested that you provide some form of walkway to the header tank
And don't forget to leave a gap where the roof meets the wall to allow ventilation and prevent condensation rotting your timbers.
Karl

**GreeBo** · 22-11-2005, 10:40

Hmm I have the attic insulated between the rafters and then most of the floor area is floored with the usual chipboard.
I wasnt aware that laying across the rafters was also advised.
Doesnt that kinda render your attic useless?

**Victor** · 23-11-2005, 01:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by KAGY

One small point about place insulation across the rafters is that you will have difficulty walking on them, it is suggested that you provide some form of walkway to the header tank

You are thinking of joists. Joists are horizontal, rafters slope.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreeBo

Doesnt that kinda render your attic useless?

Depends on what you want your attic for. Some attics are too small for storage.

Sleipnir · 23-11-2005, 09:45

Hullo,

with the recent temps I have also decided that I need to reinsulate.
At the moment there is no insulation on the roof at all (just the floor of the attic) so I definately need to do that.

Also, the dirt up there is unbelieveable (i.e. you can't move anything without a being smothered in a cloud of dust) so I was wondering if it would be a good idea to put plastic sheeting on the inside of the roof tiles between the rafters, then insulate and then cover with marine ply? Or would this this screw up the ventilation?

Does anyone know how much that hemp is per sqm/sqf?

17-11-2005, 11:14	#1
Canaboid Registered User Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 1,624 Adverts \| Friends	Attic Insulation - A couple of questions I've moved into an old semi D with bugger all attic insulation so it's going to be an itchy weekend for me. Does anyone have recommendations for the best type of insulation to use and where to get it a a reasonable price (south Dublin). Any other tips on installing are greatly appreciated.

22-11-2005, 09:54	#12
KAGY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longford Posts: 437 Adverts \| Friends	Attic insulation - Building Regs I'd us a garden shears to cut insulation In the current building regs (which don't actually apply to 2nd hand houses unless you're modifiying them) they suggest 150mm fibreglass or equivelent between the joists and min 100mm across them. If you have a header tank in the attic you should remove any insulation from under it to stop it freezing in the winter, but insulate around and above it. You could use 100mm expanded ps to make a box from the ceiling level up, over and around it. One small point about place insulation across the rafters is that you will have difficulty walking on them, it is suggested that you provide some form of walkway to the header tank And don't forget to leave a gap where the roof meets the wall to allow ventilation and prevent condensation rotting your timbers. Karl

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17-11-2005, 12:07	#2
noby Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fungarvan Posts: 1,501 Adverts \| Friends	If you're using the rolls of fibreglass insulation, cut the rolls to the width of your ceiling joists. Any old saw should do it. Then when you roll them out, they'll fit snugly between the joists. Oh, and be sure to leave a gap at the end for ventilation at the eaves.

17-11-2005, 12:44	#3
CJhaughey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 7,631 Adverts \| Friends	Rockwool is way less itchy than the fibreglass. I used a long knife to cut it which didn't make as much dust as the saw. the saw will be wrecked very quick cutting the insulation so get a cheap one if you use this method. Get a "noddy suit" one of those disposable overalls that cost €5-00 each and wear it. At the same time get a moldex dustmask they are great and will stop you hacking and itchy throat. and one more thing a pair of long gloves -marigolds etc worn under the suit. away ye go!!

17-11-2005, 13:33	#4
Canaboid Registered User Join Date: Apr 1999 Posts: 1,624 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks guys. Is there a difference in price/effectiveness between rock wool and fibreglass ? Any ideas on the best place to get this, I'm thinking B&Q/Atlantic is there likely to be cheaper available ?

17-11-2005, 13:54	#5
CJhaughey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 7,631 Adverts \| Friends	Rockwool is more expensive, try Capco CPD they can give good prices.

17-11-2005, 15:17	#6
fintan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 633 Adverts \| Friends	If you want to a greener solution try something like thermo hemp http://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems...ts/thermohemp/ It does cost a little more than rockwool, but has won awards plenty of awards and is 100% pollution free. There are other people making insulation from hemp, so shop around

21-11-2005, 15:41	#7
Muggins Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 37 Adverts \| Friends	Any recommendations on where to buy the ThermoHemp in the vicinity of Cork city ?

21-11-2005, 20:42	#8
fintan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 633 Adverts \| Friends	First place you should look muggins is the Sustainable directory http://www.sustainable.ie/directory/index.php

22-11-2005, 00:25	#9
Muggins Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 37 Adverts \| Friends	I checked the link but could find any info on Thermo hemp. I also googled around but can't find any Irish based info. Any leads would be appreciated.

22-11-2005, 00:35	#10
Victor Moderator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Dublin Posts: 60,897 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Accommodation & Property, Commuting & Transport, Infrastructure	Do not insulate without thinking things through properly or you could end up with a rooted roof from condensation. Make sure the attic is properly ventilated.

22-11-2005, 09:36	#11
fintan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 633 Adverts \| Friends	Sorry the link was of no use to you www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com is the Irish company behind thermohemp give them a call, Im sure they can arrange samples and delivery to Cork

22-11-2005, 10:40	#13
GreeBo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 8,277 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Golf	Hmm I have the attic insulated between the rafters and then most of the floor area is floored with the usual chipboard. I wasnt aware that laying across the rafters was also advised. Doesnt that kinda render your attic useless?

23-11-2005, 09:45	#15
Sleipnir Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: By the Knuckles of a Skinnybone tree. Posts: 5,391 Adverts \| Friends	Hullo, with the recent temps I have also decided that I need to reinsulate. At the moment there is no insulation on the roof at all (just the floor of the attic) so I definately need to do that. Also, the dirt up there is unbelieveable (i.e. you can't move anything without a being smothered in a cloud of dust) so I was wondering if it would be a good idea to put plastic sheeting on the inside of the roof tiles between the rafters, then insulate and then cover with marine ply? Or would this this screw up the ventilation? Does anyone know how much that hemp is per sqm/sqf?