Thinnest type of insulation possible

Tim Robbins

Hi,
We are in the middle of an attic conversion at the moment for a semi detached house. There is no insulation between our house and next door neighbour - just sand cement.

This is a new house so is BER B1. I got a bit of a shock when I found out there is no insulation between the house but apparently it is not required.

However, I am worried that should be some on the attic part as behind the wall there is no-one living so it will be cold. The thing is we have hardly any room because the stairs runs up against the wall and is only 75 mm in width.

So, I was wondering was there anything that was just 5mm in width I could put up. It would be better than nothing. If you have any suggestions would be grateful to hear. Thanks

sydthebeat

where a cold uninhabited attic meets another, theres no requirement for insulation.

if you decide to convert the attic for habitation and heat it, then you are required by regulation to insulate against any unheated areas.

There is nothing at 5mm that will meet regulations.

You need to engage a professional for specific advise on:

1. the design of the conversion
2. the structural impact of the conversion
3. the fire and other regulatory impact of the conversion
4. a specification to meet all the above

Tim Robbins

sydthebeat wrote: »

where a cold uninhabited attic meets another, theres no requirement for insulation.

if you decide to convert the attic for habitation and heat it, then you are required by regulation to insulate against any unheated areas.

There is nothing at 5mm that will meet regulations.

You need to engage a professional for specific advise on:

1. the design of the conversion
2. the structural impact of the conversion
3. the fire and other regulatory impact of the conversion
4. a specification to meet all the above

Architect has already advised as such but I have final say.

Is there any product that is even 15mm?

sinnerboy

Are you saying that the gap between the wall and stairs is 75mm ?

If so use a 37mm Kingspan plasterboard i.e. 25 insulation bonded to 12mm plasterboard.

keyser2012

What about that silver film stuff that they use in the nasa space ships. Ive worked with the stuff before thou forget what you call teh stuff before, all you do is staple it to the rafters then attach the plasterboard over it

archtech

keyser2012 wrote: »

What about that silver film stuff that they use in the nasa space ships. Ive worked with the stuff before thou forget what you call teh stuff before, all you do is staple it to the rafters then attach the plasterboard over it

There are a number of trade names for the stuff. It requires an air gap both sides of it to work so wouldn't be suitable in this instance. As an aside it has seldom been used correctly in the past.

BryanF

keyser2012 wrote: »

What about that silver film stuff that they use in the nasa space ships. Ive worked with the stuff before thou forget what you call teh stuff before, all you do is staple it to the rafters then attach the plasterboard over it

every often someone always brings up the turkey foil:D if you read the detailed info the comes with these products you see that many require installation in a sealed cavity with actual insulation.

the 'nasa' stuff your referring is probably 'aerogel'