Attic insulation

Narrator

Hey folks,

I just thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread.

I recently took on the task of insulating my house (105 metres squared Bungalow), the existing insulation was there since the 80's and was only about 50-90mm depth across.
I laid the new insulation (20x Knauf 200mm Ekoroll) at a right angle from the joists covering over the old stuff but I don't really notice the difference in the house or it's not overwhelming me with a difference at least.

Does the insulation need time to settle? Is there something I've done wrong?
I really hope not seeing as the whole attic is done.

Browndog82

Hi Narrator,

The new insulation should be layed directly over the old stuff and thus there is no gaps. I had the walls pumped at the same time so I cant really advise of the difference with just insulation but with both done the difference is unbelievable.. In previous years having the heating on all day would just take the bite out of the cold( which was quite depressing when the heating was on all day long) but now the room is toasty warm.

Added to that I have the cut the time the heating is on by half at least if not more. The best investment I have made!!

Hope this helps somewhat

BryanF

Narrator wrote: »

Hey folks,

I just thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread.

I recently took on the task of insulating my house (105 metres squared), the existing insulation was there since the 80's and was only about 50-90mm depth across.
I laid the new insulation (20x Knauf 200mm Ekoroll) at a right angle from the joists covering over the old stuff but I don't really notice the difference in the house or it's not overwhelming me with a difference at least.

Does the insulation need time to settle? Is there something I've done wrong?
I really hope not seeing as the whole attic is done.

is your house drafty? (air-tightness is not improved by increased insulation) so you could have improved the internal surface temp of the ceilings but there could still be way to many uncontrolled air-changes (please do not confuse air-tightness with the requirement for background ventilation)

Narrator

BryanF wrote: »

is your house drafty? (air-tightness is not improved by increased insulation) so you could have improved the internal surface temp of the ceilings but there could still be way to many uncontrolled air-changes (please do not confuse air-tightness with the requirement for background ventilation)

Thanks for the replys guys.


The house has an open plan sitting/dining/kitchen and can feel drafty or like cold is settling into the room somehow.
I have thermal curtains on the windows and draft excluders at the doors, i even went around with lighter checking for any drafts too.

the house is a bungalow and was built in the late 70's.
The windows are single glazed but i've most of them covered with the weather seal plastic sheet wraps you stick over and shrink with a hairdryer, plus the thermal curtain linings too.

I'm half thinking now should i go back into the attic and change back to go between the joists? ugh.

Handsandtools

oleras wrote: »

Folks, a quick question.

I had an insulation company out to do my house, cavity walls were pumped and that went fine.

Today the attic was insulated, I was at work so only had a look at the job an hour ago.

Basically, rolls of insulation are just laid at right angles to the joists, straight on top of each other, where there was maybe 50mm of the old glass fiber stuff from 30 years ago. Around the hatch, when you lift it back it is layered correctly, ie new stuff on top of the old between the joists and a top up at right angles, is this all the inspector looks at i wonder ?

4 bed bunglow, about 50feet long btw.

To me this seems not right, there should be no air gaps between the old stuff and the new stuff.

Is my contractor being lazy the way it was rolled out and it is up to reqs or is it just wrong ?

He is calling tomorrow to get paid.

Ill take a pic and attach it in case it sounds confusing.

Edit: cant get the pic from my phone, will do it tomorrow.

The way insulation works is same as double or triple glaze windows. Air gaps make insulation work, if You squeeze it, it won't work, because there will be no air between layers. Air gaps give more insulation, because the materials didn't touch and heat can't move quick from one layer to other and slows heat loss.

Handsandtools

Narrator wrote: »

Hey folks,

I just thought I'd post here instead of starting a new thread.

I recently took on the task of insulating my house (105 metres squared Bungalow), the existing insulation was there since the 80's and was only about 50-90mm depth across.
I laid the new insulation (20x Knauf 200mm Ekoroll) at a right angle from the joists covering over the old stuff but I don't really notice the difference in the house or it's not overwhelming me with a difference at least.

Does the insulation need time to settle? Is there something I've done wrong?
I really hope not seeing as the whole attic is done.

When insulation settle it loses it's quality.
You have to make sure all attic is covered, especially where, the winds can blow in and under it, all corners and no gaps.
I recommend using vapor barrier it will eliminate possible condensation in the insulation and possible mold, because when hot and humid air from the rooms (especially kitchen and bathrooms) gets true ceiling slab and in to the insulation when it reaches condensation point it will become wet and instead of air between the layers of insulation material you will have water what not only reduces quality of your insulation but also damages it and makes good ground for mold, because there's no ventilation inside of insulation.