Insulating your roof: tips for beginners

The answer to this is very simple, and you likely already know it. Heat rises! Without insulation in your roof, about 30 – 35% of the hard-earned heat from your heat pump or fireplace can easily escape. Roughly 12 – 14% escapes through an uninsulated floor, so if you’re considering insulating just one area of your home, the roof is best. Keeping the heat in means you’ll save money on your power bill, and you’ll only need to wear one layer of socks.

The GreenStuf range has two insulation products designed for residential roofs, Skillion Roof Blanket and Roll Form. If you have an accessible attic space, then Roll Form is the best choice. However, if you have a skillion roof, you should look to install Skillion Roof Blanket.

Heat always flows from the source to surrounding cooler areas; insulation is designed to slow this heat transfer. The relative efficiency with which it does this is called the R-Value, with ‘R’ representing the insulation’s resistance to heat flow at a given thickness. The higher the R-Value, the more effective the insulation. R-Value is achieved through a combination of density and loft. Some insulation styles—like Roll Form—rely more on loft to meet the required R-Value, whereas thinner products—like Skillion Roof Blanket—rely more on density. If you have an attic space, a loftier insulation is perfect. However, for tight spaces like skillion roofs (where the ceiling slopes with the roof), a denser insulation product is required to achieve the same R-Value.

You can install GreenStuf insulation yourself. Made from 100% polyester fibre, it is safe to touch and easy to handle—even in tight spaces. If you have an attic, installing insulation is simple. Every GreenStuf product comes with easy-to-follow install instructions, and DIY install videos are available online with a quick Google search.

Skillion roofs need a bit of planning. As the space between the roof and the ceiling isn’t accessible once the roof is finished, Skillion Roof Blanket needs to be installed during the construction of the roof. This can be done in both new builds and renovations to existing homes. It is important to consider the quality of insulation you are installing in a skillion roof, as once it is installed, it will be very tricky to replace. Unlike other common insulation products, GreenStuf doesn’t slump over time, ensuring your home will stay warm and dry for years to come.