Here Is Why You Should Consider Replacing Your Roof Insulation
Posted on: 23 April 2020
Roof insulation is a critical part of any construction as it not only allows for much easier temperature control of any building, but it also helps with sound cancelling and draughts. Many people take great care to choose the best roof insulation service they can when getting their home built, but what you may not realise is that this is not a once in a lifetime sort of deal. Roof insulation will degrade over time, and it will get to a point where it needs to be replaced. If you have lived in your house for a while, or you moved into an already built home, then you should really think about whether it is time for a roof insulation service upgrade.
How Long Does Roof Insulation Last?
There are many factors to consider when answering this question. Insulation can be loose-fill, come in batts (connected and compacted) or be sprayed on. Loose-fill ages the poorest because it can get moved around and leave areas exposed so that there is no even coverage. You also need to consider the material. Fibreglass, rock wool or cellulose are the three most common insulation material and they all react differently to moisture, dirt and ageing. There is no definitive answer to say your roof insulation will deteriorate after a certain amount of years, but generally, after the first decade, you should get your insulation checked and then go from there.
How Much Does A New Roof Insulation Cost?
The good news is that a roof insulation service on an already insulated roof is far less expensive than starting from scratch. This is because you can 'top-up' the insulation rather than totally tearing out all the current insulation and then replacing it. A simple inspection by an expert should be enough for them to diagnose whether your home is suitable for this procedure, and then they will simply find an insulation material that matches your current type. It is important you get similar insulation to your current material. Otherwise, the heating and cooling of your home will be very haphazard.
Does Roof Insulation Ever Require A Full Overhaul?
Yes, there are a few occasions on which you cannot simply top-up your insulation and need to fully replace it. These situations include:
- Asbestos. If your home is found to have asbestos insulation then you will be strongly advised, and in many cases legally required, to get it removed and replaced. This is for your health and safety as well as the safety of your roof insulation service contractors.
- Water damage. If it is discovered that there was a leak in your roof and water managed to get in, then you will likely need to replace most of your insulation. Insulation is very sensitive to water and it will lose many of the properties that you require through exposure to it.
