Loft insulation - 20 year property like an icebox!

[trojan09]

Hi,
20 years ago, home built with loft insulation - looks like 5-6 inches of that glass fibre yellow/sand coloured stuff was used - horrible!

Point is, am going to tackle this job and try to reduce the cold etc but:

1. What sort of material to use? Which gives best insulation performance?

2. I am thinking of removing the old stuff - is it safe and wise to do this?

3. Presumably lay 6" in joists plus 4" at right angles on top if using rolls? as new regs are 10"?

4. What do i do on "pitched" sections of roof - hard to describe but there are long slopes that effectively form part of the ceiling in the bedrooms and hall - so somehow need to insulatate these but am aware I must not cause damp!

5. Grants - please help - I qualify for grant assistance but everyone want to insist their boys do the job! I think I'd rather get my own expert builder in who i trust - but if i do this, my council etc will not help in any way so how can i access a grant as power companies too insist ther boys do the work! Sorry to be cynical of these insualtion companies but the way I see it one of tehm caused the mess when the home was first insulated so i do not want to repeat their mistakes!

Hope someone can help.

cheers!

Mikk

 

[oilman]

I suspect disturbing the old stuff will be MUCH worse than the problems of putting new stuff in. I'd vacuum it out using one of the woodworkers oildrum type vacs with a 4" hose. Then I'd replace it with wool, cos you can do it without a load of safety gear.

 

[trojan09]

when you say wool do you mean rockwool?

I cant see how the old stuff can be sucked out - its laid out of rolls of the stuff.

 

[oilman]

I mean sheeps wool (not a wind-up). Its produced in rolls and bats. Search the web or these forums.

 

[Freddie]

I mean sheeps wool (not a wind-up). Its produced in rolls and bats. Search the web or these forums.

Most people cant afford the extra cost of sheeps wool insulation Oilman because of its ridiculas cost which is amazing cause wool itself is valueless and the process's to make this type of insulation are cheap and primative.

But it is the best insulation for many reasons

 

[trojan09]

sheeps wool sounds fantastic - but of course it is out of my price bracket as it would cost thousands of pounds. I have 1200-1400 sq foot of loft space and requre 10 inches. What has anyone else paid for sheepwool on this scale?

what is the second best option?

Also, can oilman or others answer my other point regarding the safe removal of existing insulation etc - see above.

Many thanks to all who have replied so far - really appreciate it.

Cheers!

 

[Freddie]

You definetly wouldnt need 10" of sheeps wool insulation mate more like 6", and your loft aint that big but google sheepswool insulation and look for a place in Wales called the Alternative technology centre, and i bet Oilman will know of a few more places that sell it as well.

If you go for the glass fibre or rockwool insulation i can gaurentee when you put the stuff in you wish you had spent a few more pounds and bought the sheepswool instead.

 

[trojan09]

You definetly wouldnt need 10" of sheeps wool insulation mate more like 6", and your loft aint that big but google sheepswool insulation and look for a place in Wales called the Alternative technology centre, and i bet Oilman will know of a few more places that sell it as well.

If you go for the glass fibre or rockwool insulation i can gaurentee when you put the stuff in you wish you had spent a few more pounds and bought the sheepswool instead.

1. OK, I am totally hooked on installing sheepswool if at all possible. I will look as you say - but I've been told before it is pointless as it is sooo expensive AND you cant get grant assistance.

2. Oilman - can he or others advise on best places to buy wool?

3. PLEASE can someone also advise if it is safe/best to remove the glass fibre stuff - its about 6" thick, horrible to touch etc! I'd love to get it out, but will take your advice on if/how to do this.

Cheers!

Mike

 

[Freddie]

fibreglass and rockwool were de-classified as being possible carcenagenic by the world health association 2 years ago--it is now classified as an irritant but they recomend the wearing of protective clothing--i.e. masks.

This scuppered the very mass production of sheepswool insulation and i will add that Rockwool is one of the worlds biggest companies so i leave you to think on that.

You can install sheepswool insulation in the nude if you like --no protective clothing

I think the best way to remove your fibreglass is with Oilmans idea of a hired industrial vacuum cost about a £10 for the day

 

[trojan09]

fibreglass and rockwool were de-classified as being possible carcenagenic by the world health association 2 years ago--it is now classified as an irritant but they recomend the wearing of protective clothing--i.e. masks.

This scuppered the very mass production of sheepswool insulation and i will add that Rockwool is one of the worlds biggest companies so i leave you to think on that.

You can install sheepswool insulation in the nude if you like --no protective clothing

I think the best way to remove your fibreglass is with Oilmans idea of a hired industrial vacuum cost about a £10 for the day

Forgive me, but I dont think its fibreglass in my loft - its a yellowish fibre which i understand is what they still use widespread to insulate - ie it has glass fibre (whereas fibreglass itself is a much older product and something I'm pleased to learn has been banned).

The material i have to remove is about 6" deep of fibre quilt (it was laid in rolls and still remains in shape etc) - so forgive my ignorance but will this stuff suck up into a cleaner? I can't think for one minute that this is the case, as it is so fiberous etc - its more likely to suck me into it

 

[Freddie]

gass fibre is what i was referring too, but if it is still all intact why are you removing it? i thought you meant it had all fell apart and wasnt insullating anymore

 

[trojan09]

gass fibre is what i was referring too, but if it is still all intact why are you removing it? i thought you meant it had all fell apart and wasnt insullating anymore

I see your point, and am still trying to decide - but in all honesty, because the property is so cold I just dont want to go and put good stuff on top of bad - sort of thinking being "bite the bullit, remove the old stuff regardless of whether that makes financial sense, clean up the loft with the vaccum idea you mention and hey presto then wallo in the joy of laying sheeps wool!" (LOL!)

Point is, is it really dangerous to remove the old insulation - I dont want cancer etc in the future but sure am struggling to want to put sheeps wool on top of this crap stuff thats there at the minute.

What do you think? Is my idea striking any chord of sense?

I am pasionate about being green - so willing to pay for sheepwool but would hope somehow I can still qualify for grant of some kind.

any ideas on the grant issue for wool?

Cheers!

Mike

 

[Freddie]

Well if your insulation is a mess and damaged etc then it would need attention.

If you decide to get rid which is what i would do then protective clothing and strong bin liners and bag it up and hoover the dust out and replace with whatever you decide---one thing about sheepswool is that it does have a 50 year lifespan whereas rockwool and glassfibre are only held together by the glue which will start to breakdown from day 1 and reduce its efficiency from day 1 as well.

Looking back over the thread you say you have 45 or angled rafter cielings, well if the insulation has moved that could be where your cold problem may be.

 

[trojan09]

Cheers freddie/oilman etc,

removing old insulation is something I'll get organised.

sheepswool is the answer from what everyone says.

Do you know any way I can get any grant towards costs?

 

[Freddie]

Have a word with these people they can tell you more than us and they sell and manufacture the stuff http://www.joulesave.co.uk/