Spot Lights + Insulation + Loft Boards

Hi all,

Looking for some advice, currently in the bedroom we have 230v 35w spot lights, the loft has glass mineral wool insulation which was put in about 2 years ago and it covers the top of the spotlights, i understand from research that this is fine.

I now want to board the loft in that area but im not sure if i can board over the top of the spots due to heat. i plan to use 175mm loft legs to avoid squashing the insulation.

Do i need to change the lights / add hoods to the top?

Any advice would be great, research doesn't seem to be giving consistent answers, many thanks

jplamb said:

Hi all,

Looking for some advice, currently in the bedroom we have 230v 35w spot lights, the loft has glass mineral wool insulation which was put in about 2 years ago and it covers the top of the spotlights, i understand from research that this is fine.

Click to expand...

I would be interested in where your research came from. Insulation over downlights will lead to short life for the lamps due to overheating. Most manufacturers will specify a clearance above the lights.
Something like this is typical

jplamb said:

I now want to board the loft in that area but im not sure if i can board over the top of the spots due to heat. i plan to use 175mm loft legs to avoid squashing the insulation.

Do i need to change the lights / add hoods to the top?

Click to expand...

Hoods, you do not need. You need loft braces like these https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/JC94020.html

It will allow the insulation to be laid over the lights, but will give them room to breathe!

Thank you Taylortwocities for your reply, sorry i didn't reply sooner, the email notifications failed so i didn't know anybody had replied

I will try to find the links which say that the insulation can go directly over the lights but from your advice i need to look at getting it sorted and move the insulation out the way and allow ventilation. think i may look at putting some new LED lights in so that i can reduce the ventilation required as well as reducing my elec bills.

Well, by moving the insulation away, you will increase your heating bills, because you defeat the efficiency of the insulation!
The insulation has to go over the top of the light, so you need to invest in loft braces, or similar solutions.
Some LED lights allow the isulation to be laid over the top. The Aurora M10, for instance, allows this if you add on of their little add-on caps (about £1.50 each)/
http://gb.auroralighting.com/Lighti...ires/Fire-Rated-Downlighting/mSeries/m10.aspx

Some downlights do allow/are designed for insulation to be placed over them, but that would be dependant on the manufacturers specification/instructions. Very many are not allowed/designed for this application and must have a ventilation gap, also if any transformers/drivers are connected they too must be ventilated.
It is not just a case that the life span of the equipment is reduced, there is also a chance that the heat build up could potentially create a fire hazard.
So being unsure of the design of light you have or the source from where you get your information stating that downlights can be covered in insulation, I would be seriously considering installing loft braces.