Insulating Old Roofs

Permeable insulation works well with old buildings that breathe.

Insulating old roofs.

With an assumed pre existing u value of 2 23w m the best options are as follows. Insulation board should be added between the old and new roof systems to ensure proper insulation and to reflect heat from the outside. If there is only 25mm of insulating material then this is likely to date back to the 1970s as this type of. The other option is loose fill or blown insulation.

Suitable insulation includes natural fibre based products made of sheep s wool or hemp as well as mineral wools. Attach 1 inch foam board insulation. There is a good deal of controversy around these systems. Apply a house wrap vapor barrier to exterior walls.

If you want to avoid internal changes you can do so by insulating externally. Replace old windows with energy efficient units. Available in both foam and rigid form choose the board type. Plasterboard 50mm pur insulation in 50mm timber stud with 50mm vented cavity to the existing wall.

If you do have existing roof insulation the first thing to do is to check the depth. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. They are often advertised as a diy option but those who have done it suggest that it requires skill and experience to do well. One way to insulate walls of an old house is to focus on the home s exterior.

Alternative options for insulating old roofs one modern option for existing buildings is sprayed foam.