Irish homes are no strangers to uneven heating systems indoors on top of the already too-cold winters. This makes it imperative to install insulation systems as well as other measures to optimize home temperatures so that the external cold does not creep in. As most external insulation contractors would propose, having insulation between rafters is an excellent method of preventing the exchange of temperatures between indoors and outdoors.
Accordingly, in this guide, we will discuss why it is good to install insulation between the rafters of your home, how to do so and everything in the nitty-gritty you are expected to know before you do it.
What are the Benefits of Installing Insulation Between Rafters?
Most external insulation contractors advise homeowners to install insulation between rafters as the roof of the homes itself is where most indoor heat gets lost from. When you insulate the ceiling or the roof itself, the external temperatures stop affecting the indoor ones due to that extra layer of glassfibre, spray foam, or even rigid insulation boards. The benefits of insulating between rafters in Irish homes are deeply discussed below:
1. Reduced Energy Consumption
Without insulation, your HVAC systems have to overwork to compensate for the heat and cold loss due to an uninsulated roof. Rafters create a thermal barrier which stops external heat or cold from affecting the indoor temperature conditions while reducing the amount of power consumption.
2. One-Time Investment
As per SEAI, Ireland’s Sustainable Energy Authority, attic or rafter insulation is one of the most cost and energy efficient ways to upgrade a house to make it more comfortable. Not only this, insulation between rafters by reliable external insulation contractors is a one-time investment that will last you through years and years of heat and cold without affecting your indoor settings.
3. Uniform and Consistent Indoor Temperature
The in-between rafter insulation prevents the escape of the indoor heat and the entry of the external cold. By doing so, the heat within the house will be evenly spread and also consistent, i.e. the entire house will be the same temperature in each room and each corner.
4. Air Quality and Moisture Control
Installation of insulation between rafters will keep foreign moisture and dust out of your home. In this manner, there will always be no damage done to the air quality of your home, regardless of the conditions outside. Moisture level in the house is also not present; therefore, no growth of mold or peeling of wallpapers or paint.
5. Livable Attics
Rafter insulation enables you to make the attic of your house a more livable, comfortable and energy saving place. This will also create extra space by adding another livable room to your home unlike most non-insulated attics that are usually used as storage rooms.
6. SEAI Grants
The SEAI Home Energy Grants programme offers homeowners in Ireland certain grants for insulating their attics or rafters. These grants lead to a significant reduction in overall costs to be paid, making these insulations even more affordable and cost-efficient.
What is the Process of Insulating Between Rafters By External Insulation Contractors?
The installation process of insulation between rafters is fairly simple and time-efficient with the right external insulation contractors who understand your home, its structural requirements, as well as your own needs. However, this is exactly how the process of installing insulation between rafters in your Irish home flows in a step-by-step manner:
Step 1: Prepare for Installation
Check the space and see whether you have any outstanding repairs that have to be done like leaks, damages and proper ventilation of your attic. Then empty the space fully so that the contractors can inspect the requirements and measurements of your attic.
Step 2: Choose the Material
With the help of your contractors and their expertise, choose from the available option for insulating between your rafters. Some examples of available materials are blanket insulation, spray foam, foam board insulation, loose-fill, and batt insulation.
Step 3: Installation Process
Your contractors now will make the correct measurements and cut the insulation to precisely fit the rafter cavity with no gaps or spaces between the insulation. Once the material has been fitted, they will seal the joints, and put on additional layers when necessary.
Step 4: Vapor and Moisture Control
An airtight membrane is used to prevent moisture and indoor warmth from reaching the colder roof structure so that the air doesn’t condense and damage the structure. Then, a plasterboard is fitted and plastered as the final layer to complete the sealing part.
How to Choose the Right External Insulation Contractors
Choosing from multiple contractors for external insulation can be a bit tricky if you do not know what to look for in terms of services, certifications, and experience. Not to worry though, as this section will walk you through the checks you need to make before selecting an external insulation contractor to help you:
1. SEAI and NSAI Certifications
Do check if your chosen contractor is registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). These act as the hallmark of their eligibility and safety while installing insulation.
2. Expertise and Specialisation
These are the two most important things to consider while choosing an external insulation contractor because they must have experience and expertise in the specific type of insulation you need. Also check the duration of how long they have been in business along with the clients they have helped and with which type of insulations.
3. Reputation and Testimonials
Browse through their client testimonials and third-party reviews to get a clear understanding of how well they have helped clients that also needed insulation between their rafters. Ask your contractor for references too and if possible, visit a past project they worked on.
Final Words: External Insulation Contractors for Insulating Between Rafters
By now, the importance of installing rafter insulation is made clear, however, it all starts by choosing the right external insulation contractors that simply understand what your home needs. This understanding will pave the way for a smooth insulation installation that will last you through years and help you double up on cost and energy savings in the long-run.
On top of all this, you also make a green and eco-friendly choice by opting for insulation rather than choosing to blast your HVAC systems all year long. So why wait when you can simply make the more energy and cost-efficient choice to maintain optimal temperatures inside your home, all year long.
