Converted attic insulation fix/upgrade

chris_ie

Not sure if this is right place. Looking at getting our insulation sorted. Our house loses heat pretty quickly. Only getting around to getting stuff looked at (bar lockdown) now due to other things always being higher priority.

The fiberglass insulation we have in is just between the joists. A lot of it is torn, compressed, doesn't go over far enough to eaves etc.. Some bits lifted and not put back in place. Just a mess really, in my opinion. We have the attic converted, around the attic room is insulated using the foam panels (Kingspan possibly) but quite a few sections are missing. Quite a bit of insulation missing above the attic rooms. There are gaps in insulation at the bottom of the knee walls on the attic space side so you can see under the attic floor, so pretty sure heat is coming up from the rooms below and out into attic space. Honestly do not know what they were at.

I had a guy out to give me a quote for adding another layer of insulation. He quoted around €500, didn't mention replacing existing insulation and said they wouldn't go into the space above the attic rooms. Wasn't sure if it'd make much difference. So I was a bit annoyed at that. Figure he would just come in, roll another layer and be done.

I bought myself a Flir One Pro LT (thermal camera) to suss things out. Sure enough, can see the cold spots and heat loss where suspected.

The insulation between the rafters in the attic rooms (sloped ceilings) seems ok, its just above and at the sides. Just wondering if I'll be able to get someone to above the attic room for me too. Its a tight space and there is only one hatch for access, so bit of crawling to get to the other end. I'd consider a second hatch in the other room if it wasn't much hassle or too expensive.

I made the mistake of installing recessed lighting years ago in one of the rooms also which I'm thinking about removing so I can insulate it properly. Either that or get hoods.

Just trying to figure what the best approach here is.

MicktheMan

Have you considered that, while the insulation levels might not be great, your main issue might not be insulation per se but rather air leakage. If this is the case, addressing the insulation deficiencies may not make much of a difference.
Dormer bungalows and houses with converted attics are notoriously poor in this regard.

chris_ie

MicktheMan wrote: »

Have you considered that, while the insulation levels might not be great, your main issue might not be insulation per se but rather air leakage. If this is the case, addressing the insulation deficiencies may not make much of a difference.
Dormer bungalows and houses with converted attics are notoriously poor in this regard.

Hi Mick. Do you mean heat being lost through windows etc? If so, I've been checking that too. Our windows aren't in the best shape either, thats on the list. But the insulation definitely plays a part. There are far too many gaps, one attic room seems to have none at all on top. Thermal imaging shows this also, for example in the bedroom the part of the ceiling covered by insulation is warmer and the uncovered parts colder. View from inside the attic shows the same.

MicktheMan

chris_ie wrote: »

Hi Mick. Do you mean heat being lost through windows etc? If so, I've been checking that too. Our windows aren't in the best shape either, thats on the list. But the insulation definitely plays a part. There are far too many gaps, one attic room seems to have none at all on top. Thermal imaging shows this also, for example in the bedroom the part of the ceiling covered by insulation is warmer and the uncovered parts colder. View from inside the attic shows the same.

No, not just windows. Every junction and penetration of your thermal / airtight envelope. Adding insulation will not generally address these weaknesses.

I'm not dismissing the need to sort your insulation deficiencies but merely stating that after you have done this and not addressed air leakage, you may well be disappointed with the results.

Btw, with ti you should see the opposite outside from inside!

chris_ie

MicktheMan wrote: »

No, not just windows. Every junction and penetration of your thermal / airtight envelope. Adding insulation will not generally address these weaknesses.

I'm not dismissing the need to sort your insulation deficiencies but merely stating that after you have done this, you may well be disappointed with the results.

Btw, with ti you should see the opposite outside from inside!

I get what you mean yeah. I'd be happier knowing its address though then target somewhere else

Yeah did the thermal from the outside aswell. Could see the same, one quite bad leak in the utility room door! Don't fully get how to interpret windows. Windows always show warm (panes themselves) but not sure how much is acceptable. Our front door (wooden) showed some heat loss too. Our hallway is usually cold so that was no surprise.