Is your home insulated and ready for winter?

Roof insulation is easy to install, and with most of your home's heat escaping from the top of your house in winter it is more important than ever to ensure this is ready to go.

Mind you, insulation can also be used in the summer months and in a hotter climate to keep your house cool, so this small job will help you to be comfortable year round.

Here are some tips to help you install your insulation or replace or top up your existing supply.

Choose the right insulation

The right level of insulation will depend on the climate you live in as well as the style of house you inhabit.

You will also need to take some roof measurements to ensure you have the correct amount of insulation for the job. 

If your roof is high, organise a cherry picker or scissor lift and measure the exact space between your ceiling rafters with a tape measure.

Make sure you write these measurements down as you go. You will then need to do some calculations as bulk insulation comes in units of square metres. Something else to note is that the batts or blanket insulation needs to cover the space right to the outer edge of the wall top.

Batts and blanket insulation are known as bulk insulation and are best for flat ceilings or pitched metal/tile roofs. These come in many forms including natural wool. polyester, glass wool, rockwool and rockwool with reflective foil.

How to lay bulk insulation

Once you have the correct requirements, you will again need to organise suitable equipment to reach your roof.

It is best to attempt this job in the early morning, before the roof heats up and expands. 

Start to lay the insulation from one edge of the roof and work your way to the other side. Make sure the insulation is laid so it is tight between the rafters. If this needs to be cut, press down with a straight edge and use a stanley knife.

If you are putting insulation in a hard-to-reach area, put a nail through the tip of a broom handle and use this to spike the batt or blanket it and then position it where required.

Try not to compress the insulation as this can reduce its effectiveness. You must also ensure it's well clear of any moisture that could cause damage to the product..

You will also need to make sure there is adequate clearance around any hot exhaust fans, flues, appliances or other fittings.

It is also necessary that there is a minimum clearance of 50mm above any incandescent lights and 100mm either side of any structural timber joists.