Insulating Inaccessible Attic Space

RonnieL

Hi,

I recently bought a house that was built around 2003. We're already planning to get cavity insulation done, so I'll ring around a few contractors about that. One thing I'm curious about is the playroom. It's noticeably colder than any other room in the house, and I'm assuming that's because it doesn't have a room above it (see attached picture). I'm assuming the cavity insulation will help a little, but I'm also guessing we'll need to do something about the roof space above it. The problem is, there is no access to that space, so I'm wondering what the recommended approach might be?

Cheers!

Ronan

Dardania

Without sounding facetious, access the inaccessible space. Maybe form an attic hatch to let you install insulation?

JimmyMW

RonnieL wrote: »

Hi,

I recently bought a house that was built around 2003. We're already planning to get cavity insulation done, so I'll ring around a few contractors about that. One thing I'm curious about is the playroom. It's noticeably colder than any other room in the house, and I'm assuming that's because it doesn't have a room above it (see attached picture). I'm assuming the cavity insulation will help a little, but I'm also guessing we'll need to do something about the roof space above it. The problem is, there is no access to that space, so I'm wondering what the recommended approach might be?

Cheers!

Ronan

Hi Ronan,

This is common, remove some of the roof tiles (These only push out of the way as they are only nailed every 3rd row or so) cut a hole in the membrane and blow insulation into the attic space, bond on a new membrane over the area (its a good idea to use a double line of mastic here) and put the roof tiles back in position.

RonnieL

Thanks Jimmy.

I've had three different insulation companies provide quotes. The first said that he'd cut a hole in the ceiling in order to insulate the inaccessible attic space. He said he used to go in from above but it was difficult to get the insulation into all the spaces that way, and also introduced the potential for a leak down the road. The other two both said they'd go in from above, and when I mentioned what the first guy had said, the second guy rubbished the comment. I haven't decided which crowd to go with - I don't feel super confident about any of them, and the prices are a bite more than I'd imagined so I'll have to give it some thought.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback - much appreciated.

Rabbo

It's safer to do it from below and not mess with the roof. The hatch will also allow you to access the pace again in future if needed. If going down this route, make sure hatch is well insulated and sealed

JimmyMW

RonnieL wrote: »

Thanks Jimmy.

I've had three different insulation companies provide quotes. The first said that he'd cut a hole in the ceiling in order to insulate the inaccessible attic space. He said he used to go in from above but it was difficult to get the insulation into all the spaces that way, and also introduced the potential for a leak down the road. The other two both said they'd go in from above, and when I mentioned what the first guy had said, the second guy rubbished the comment. I haven't decided which crowd to go with - I don't feel super confident about any of them, and the prices are a bite more than I'd imagined so I'll have to give it some thought.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback - much appreciated.

Rabbo wrote: »

It's safer to do it from below and not mess with the roof. The hatch will also allow you to access the pace again in future if needed. If going down this route, make sure hatch is well insulated and sealed

If your happy with a hatch in the playroom its prob the better way to go, however if you want to avoid a hatch in this room there is nothing wrong with going through the roof option once it is properly sealed afterwards.

RonnieL

JimmyMW wrote: »

If your happy with a hatch in the playroom its prob the better way to go, however if you want to avoid a hatch in this room there is nothing wrong with going through the roof option once it is properly sealed afterwards.

The guy who was advocating that approach spoke about cutting the hole and then getting it re-plastered afterwards. He said there would be little point leaving a hatch because the space would be a mess with the beads that will have been pumped in. It sounds like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

JimmyMW

RonnieL wrote: »

The guy who was advocating that approach spoke about cutting the hole and then getting it re-plastered afterwards. He said there would be little point leaving a hatch because the space would be a mess with the beads that will have been pumped in. It sounds like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.

Once he will insulate above the plasterboard that he re-instates, that would be fine too, but you will have internal disruption then, there is pros & cons for both approaches