Knauf Eko Roll Loft insulation roll, (L)4.83m (W)1.14m (T)200mm - £24 / buy 3 for £18 each + free Click and Collect @ B&Q

coolhandan02/10/2021 20:51

Some government thing. Got free wall insulation and a new boiler.

By "free" you mean founded by me and everyone else.

I had already ordered at the weekend and took today off to get it laid. I wore a mask and overalls but compared to the old existing 1980s insulation there was negligible irritation really. It has slight cuts length-ways allowing you to pull it apart, which is handy. I'd suggest getting decent lighting setup (instead of relying on a little torch like I did). It was hard work, surprisingly sweaty (just my luck that today was sunny and warm in the attic) and generally took longer than expected. My roof is relatively low and I was lying down by the edge near the eaves.

I didn't replace the old insulation. It would have been a faff but I'm now thinking it might have been worth it.

Hopefully this should be a quick payoff in terms of heating bills and also good for environment.

Edit: +3.4% topcashback. (edited)

Spartan17602/10/2021 15:59

I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council …I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council houses from the 1950's (mine is 1953) are uninsulated walls - just a gap between inside and outside skin. A bit of an unfair dig at the prat.Read lessRead more

Got mine filled for free with some foamy stuff.

Would this stuff stop the police helicopter from detecting heat from my nan's loft. and by the way I'm just asking on behalf of a friend

Someone forward this to the Insulate Britain spokesperson that walked off Good Morning Britain in a huff after being asked if his house was insulated (well eventually walked off), please. (Topical Joax!)

subbafer02/10/2021 21:03

By "free" you mean founded by me and everyone else.

Don't tell me what I mean.

Spartan17602/10/2021 15:59

I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council …I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council houses from the 1950's (mine is 1953) are uninsulated walls - just a gap between inside and outside skin. A bit of an unfair dig at the prat.Read lessRead more

Maybe, but it's probably more unfair to sit in a middle of a motorway (after all its not a park..) when normal people are trying to get to work so I don't really have any sympathy for him.

Alllfff02/10/2021 20:32

Tell me more. Where you at?

Don't do it!

So many issues with wall insulation, causing mould and other issues. There is meant to be an air gap. Insulation of the roof, better windows etc should be the priority!

Plus a lot of the companies that did these schemes filled them with the wrong stuff meaning super expensive and invasive fixes or just living with it.

A good reason it's not done as often now

Alllfff03/10/2021 08:09

My top priority now is to take out the patchy 100 or so mm that is in the …My top priority now is to take out the patchy 100 or so mm that is in the loft now and put new 100mm and 170mm across it. I just hate that some sockets in one or two rooms get draft out of them and sometimes when I make a hole in the plasterboard to put up a shelf or a picture, there is draft too. Any suggestions?Read lessRead more

Fill the hole with some sealant and small amount of expanding foam or such like but I agree with CRWAB, I would never fill my cavity wall insulation... the air cavity is there for a reason and filling it up can sometimes cause damp and mould issues which are far worse health wise.

Properly done, insulation can help, poorly done (as is often the case by monkeys flogging 'free governent home improvements' ) can make a real mess and expensive remedial works required.

I'd make sure the loft is well insulated (but still has fresh air in it to breathe) and get windows and doors done.... but give serious thought and research before considering wall cavity insulation! (edited)

Alllfff03/10/2021 12:32

I've tried to seal and pack all the holes I can find. I would rather not …I've tried to seal and pack all the holes I can find. I would rather not pile the old stuff up there I think its full of moths and if I pile it on top of plasterboard, they could maybe slowly sack under the weight.Read lessRead more

Dead moths have an R-value too, albeit a small one (edited)

coolhandan02/10/2021 21:25

Don't tell me what I mean.

Well I just told you what "free government thing" means.

Daves_mate03/10/2021 15:16

General th Thanks all for the general advice. I have cavity wall and loft …General th Thanks all for the general advice. I have cavity wall and loft insulation booked for next week. Thanks to this post I've done some more research and think I will be cancelling the CWI and just do the loft insulation only. Guessing there will always be some form of grant available so might just hold back research more or wait for better tech/materials to be available.The type they were going to install was mineral fibre based (i think white fibre?).House is 1940's build and generally pretty warm anyway so before reading this my main concern was if it will get too hot.Anyway, cheers!Read lessRead more

I spent some time researching this, while I certainly suggest you do your own research, I concluded that filling my 1910 cavity wall was a bad idea, I already had a few slight damp issues, which I resolved by fitting a PIV (positive input ventilation) fan in my loft which slowly pushes fresh air into the house to prevent too much condensation forming etc. (Great if you suffer mould/condensation issues)

10 years ago I got a load of cheap Knauf mylar wrapped loft insulation, basically fibreglass insulation wrapped in a plastic/foil cover to make it easier to handle...much better than raw fibreglass like you get from government grants etc. But anything is better than nothing in the loft.

Good to note that making a home totally airtight is likelty to cause moisture problems, when you breath, dry cloths, take a shower or cook, loads of moisture is released and has to go somewhere, make sure you have kitchen and bathroom extractors.

Sorry I went right off topic (edited)

subbafer02/10/2021 21:03

By "free" you mean founded by me and everyone else.

That's what taxes are for though, isn't it? A pool of resources for the betterment of society. If you want to get mad at where your money goes, look at tax cuts for the rich, and the enormous number of loopholes used not just by mega-corporations, but by the wealthy scum who don't want to pay their fair share -- landlords, business owners, trust fund beneficiaries...

On top of that, the sad fact is that this "cavity wall" stuff is an utter travesty. The clue is in the name: cavity. There's meant to be a gap. Filling that gap in destroys the entire purpose of it being created in the first place.
It's the same as in the 70s-80s, all the bottom-barrel "tradesmen" telling home owners they'd repoint their brickwork and slapping concrete in the gaps. This stuff ruins houses.

farmphdbank27/10/2021 13:37

Yeah this was my basic conclusion and also it would have been a faff to …Yeah this was my basic conclusion and also it would have been a faff to get it all out! Depends on the condition though.. if it's full of dust or squashed (I.e. less trapped air) then it won't be as effective.Read lessRead more

Mine was exactly that...squashed, dirty, patchy and full of dust...took me and my wife 2 hours to bag it all up. The hoovering, taking it all to the skip and installing loft legs took a lot longer. Now happy with 100mm + 170mm perpendicular insulation in place. Also water tank taken out years ago so insulated that part too...

urbanbushwacker02/10/2021 13:55

Would this stuff stop the police helicopter from detecting heat from my …Would this stuff stop the police helicopter from detecting heat from my nan's loft. and by the way I'm just asking on behalf of a friend Read lessRead more

Mary Jane up to her old tricks again??

Angelgabriel12303/10/2021 13:15

How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to …How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to fit it but just wonder how small the particles are and how effective a standard dust mask isIs it something that years down the line will be barred like asbestos..?Read lessRead more

It's perceived as cancerous in the States (but ai can't find refs that it is carcinogenic). This brand isn't as immediately aggravating as stuff already in our loft. But it's pretty aweful. People suggest it is fine if undisturbed! They have found glass fibres on the rocky mountains. And PIR is hazardous too. There are alternatives like wool, but that can get insect infestation. Perhaps dipped in borax solution it could be good. I bought as cheaper, but have huge regret as my partner already has breathing issues. (edited)

TKDBlackbelt04/10/2021 16:15

How would it be 'divided fairly'?

Using that tried and tested communism theory... it works really well (if you're a dictator or one of his cronies) and the rest of the society all suffer equally and (un)fairly. (edited)

urbanbushwacker02/10/2021 13:55

Would this stuff stop the police helicopter from detecting heat from my …Would this stuff stop the police helicopter from detecting heat from my nan's loft. and by the way I'm just asking on behalf of a friend Read lessRead more

Them tomato plants dont do well in the cold

Bit late to the party here but a heads up if you have a water tank in the loft and there is no insulation under it. DO NOT insulted that part. It was left uninsulated to stop the tank and pipes freezing, even if they’re lagged.

After doing my loft my research showed it’s worth leaving the old insulation in place. There’s little benefit replacing it from an efficiency stand point.

Also if you’re doing this to save money the first 100mm is vital but after that the returns diminish quite considerably. Something to consider. If you’re not moving anytime soon fill it up and above the recommended 270mm and you’ll probably see a return on your investment.

JohnnyUtah27/10/2021 14:58

What did you do about the lighting wiring above the bedrooms? Cover it up …What did you do about the lighting wiring above the bedrooms? Cover it up with the insulation or do as I have read and leave exposed to stop overheating? Not easy if the wiring is routed tight and below the insulation top level.Read lessRead more

I insulated over and around it. I think the light circuits have 6A breakers but the cables seem the same thickness as the ones in socket circuits which are 13A, so I think they are thick enough to be safely covered by the insulation. It was like this originally as well.

coolhandan02/10/2021 19:03

Got mine filled for free with some foamy stuff.

Yes, my elderly grandmother did about 15 years ago through a free government scheme.

Alllfff03/10/2021 08:09

My top priority now is to take out the patchy 100 or so mm that is in the …My top priority now is to take out the patchy 100 or so mm that is in the loft now and put new 100mm and 170mm across it. I just hate that some sockets in one or two rooms get draft out of them and sometimes when I make a hole in the plasterboard to put up a shelf or a picture, there is draft too. Any suggestions?Read lessRead more

If you can pinpoint the top of the dividing walls from the loft you could try running a line of expanding foam over them. I’ve got the same issue, plasterboard walls with some kind of cardboard spacer, leaving the cavity open to the loft space. Same for the wall sockets, isolate the ring circuit and squirt some foam past one of the knockout holes.
I’d pile the old stuff up in a corner rather than removing, it’s better sat in your loft than a landfill

Air leakage is one of the bigger losses in a house, there’s no point in us all having an insulted loft if there is a howling gale though all the door and window seals. Some builders in America are making big steps to seal up a house during the construction stage, looks like it makes a big difference. (edited)

horsey03/10/2021 12:38

Dead moths have an R-value too, albeit a small one

I dont think they are dead. Twice a year there is a small invasion in the rooms below.

Spartan17602/10/2021 15:59

I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council …I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council houses from the 1950's (mine is 1953) are uninsulated walls - just a gap between inside and outside skin. A bit of an unfair dig at the prat.Read lessRead more

Wall insulation can be bad too. Neighbours have had issues ever since they filled their cavities.

I bought this stuff for the loft, varies in quality. Still horrible stuff, better than some of the other stuff I have been near. Glass fibres should be banned.

How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to fit it but just wonder how small the particles are and how effective a standard dust mask is
Is it something that years down the line will be barred like asbestos..?

Angelgabriel12303/10/2021 13:15

How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to …How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to fit it but just wonder how small the particles are and how effective a standard dust mask isIs it something that years down the line will be barred like asbestos..?Read lessRead more

Although this stuff is unpleasant and irritates your skin and lungs, the effect is only temporary and it is not considered dangerous.
Whether or not the fibers of fiberglass could be carcinogenic has been researched and debated for decades. Many years ago, studies suggested that glass fibres might be carcinogenic but more recent research has found no evidence of this so it is now not considered to cause cancer.
Its been used as insulation since the 1930's so if there was a problem, as with asbestos, I think we would know about it by now. (edited)

Angelgabriel12303/10/2021 13:15

How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to …How bad is this stuff for your lungs..? I know you need to wear a mask to fit it but just wonder how small the particles are and how effective a standard dust mask isIs it something that years down the line will be barred like asbestos..?Read lessRead more

Regarding masks, if you're just handling this stuff occasionally then get a disposable one that offers FFP3D protection from a decent manufacturer like 3M, don't use a poundshop mask.

General th

spannerzone03/10/2021 12:20

Fill the hole with some sealant and small amount of expanding foam or such …Fill the hole with some sealant and small amount of expanding foam or such like but I agree with CRWAB, I would never fill my cavity wall insulation... the air cavity is there for a reason and filling it up can sometimes cause damp and mould issues which are far worse health wise.Properly done, insulation can help, poorly done (as is often the case by monkeys flogging 'free governent home improvements' ) can make a real mess and expensive remedial works required.I'd make sure the loft is well insulated (but still has fresh air in it to breathe) and get windows and doors done.... but give serious thought and research before considering wall cavity insulation!Read lessRead more

Thanks all for the general advice. I have cavity wall and loft insulation booked for next week. Thanks to this post I've done some more research and think I will be cancelling the CWI and just do the loft insulation only. Guessing there will always be some form of grant available so might just hold back research more or wait for better tech/materials to be available.
The type they were going to install was mineral fibre based (i think white fibre?).
House is 1940's build and generally pretty warm anyway so before reading this my main concern was if it will get too hot.
Anyway, cheers!

CRWAB03/10/2021 08:05

Don't do it!So many issues with wall insulation, causing mould and other …Don't do it!So many issues with wall insulation, causing mould and other issues. There is meant to be an air gap. Insulation of the roof, better windows etc should be the priority!Plus a lot of the companies that did these schemes filled them with the wrong stuff meaning super expensive and invasive fixes or just living with it.A good reason it's not done as often nowRead lessRead more

exactly. I have a 1950's house with cavity walls, a lot of people years back had free insulation and now they've forked out a bunch to get it all pulled out, it was a disaster! The house needs a cavity!

deleted98480303/10/2021 21:36

That's what taxes are for though, isn't it? A pool of resources for the …That's what taxes are for though, isn't it? A pool of resources for the betterment of society. If you want to get mad at where your money goes, look at tax cuts for the rich, and the enormous number of loopholes used not just by mega-corporations, but by the wealthy scum who don't want to pay their fair share -- landlords, business owners, trust fund beneficiaries...On top of that, the sad fact is that this "cavity wall" stuff is an utter travesty. The clue is in the name: cavity. There's meant to be a gap. Filling that gap in destroys the entire purpose of it being created in the first place. It's the same as in the 70s-80s, all the bottom-barrel "tradesmen" telling home owners they'd repoint their brickwork and slapping concrete in the gaps. This stuff ruins houses.Read lessRead more

It's just that some people don't get anything,

angie55504/10/2021 08:38

It's just that some people don't get anything,

The state does provide though e.g. roads, which pretty much everyone uses one way or the other. Investment for the betterment of all is a good thing. Sadly most housing stock in the UK isn't really fit for purpose by modern standards. And yet it appears to hold outrageous monetary value. The state should take it all, grind it down and start again, and distribute it fairly.

spannerzone03/10/2021 17:12

I spent some time researching this, while I certainly suggest you do your …I spent some time researching this, while I certainly suggest you do your own research, I concluded that filling my 1910 cavity wall was a bad idea, I already had a few slight damp issues, which I resolved by fitting a PIV (positive input ventilation) fan in my loft which slowly pushes fresh air into the house to prevent too much condensation forming etc. (Great if you suffer mould/condensation issues)10 years ago I got a load of cheap Knauf mylar wrapped loft insulation, basically fibreglass insulation wrapped in a plastic/foil cover to make it easier to handle...much better than raw fibreglass like you get from government grants etc. But anything is better than nothing in the loft.Good to note that making a home totally airtight is likelty to cause moisture problems, when you breath, dry cloths, take a shower or cook, loads of moisture is released and has to go somewhere, make sure you have kitchen and bathroom extractors.Sorry I went right off topic Read lessRead more

I'm surprised that you even have cavity walls in your house because it was not common until the 1920s.

deleted98480303/10/2021 21:36

That's what taxes are for though, isn't it? A pool of resources for the …That's what taxes are for though, isn't it? A pool of resources for the betterment of society. If you want to get mad at where your money goes, look at tax cuts for the rich, and the enormous number of loopholes used not just by mega-corporations, but by the wealthy scum who don't want to pay their fair share -- landlords, business owners, trust fund beneficiaries...On top of that, the sad fact is that this "cavity wall" stuff is an utter travesty. The clue is in the name: cavity. There's meant to be a gap. Filling that gap in destroys the entire purpose of it being created in the first place. It's the same as in the 70s-80s, all the bottom-barrel "tradesmen" telling home owners they'd repoint their brickwork and slapping concrete in the gaps. This stuff ruins houses.Read lessRead more

Oh, you’re one of these guys….

gravy_davey27/10/2021 13:27

After doing my loft my research showed it’s worth leaving the old i …After doing my loft my research showed it’s worth leaving the old insulation in place. There’s little benefit replacing it from an efficiency stand point.Read lessRead more

Yeah this was my basic conclusion and also it would have been a faff to get it all out! Depends on the condition though.. if it's full of dust or squashed (I.e. less trapped air) then it won't be as effective.

I just can't get eknauf of this deal.

Affray02/10/2021 13:31

Someone forward this to the Insulate Britain spokesperson that walked off …Someone forward this to the Insulate Britain spokesperson that walked off Good Morning Britain in a huff after being asked if his house was insulated (well eventually walked off), please. (Topical Joax!)Read lessRead more

I watched a bit of that with him heading off. Most owners of council houses from the 1950's (mine is 1953) are uninsulated walls - just a gap between inside and outside skin. A bit of an unfair dig at the prat.

coolhandan02/10/2021 19:03

Got mine filled for free with some foamy stuff.

Tell me more. Where you at?

Alllfff02/10/2021 20:32

Tell me more. Where you at?

Some government thing. Got free wall insulation and a new boiler.

CRWAB03/10/2021 08:05

Don't do it!So many issues with wall insulation, causing mould and other …Don't do it!So many issues with wall insulation, causing mould and other issues. There is meant to be an air gap. Insulation of the roof, better windows etc should be the priority!Plus a lot of the companies that did these schemes filled them with the wrong stuff meaning super expensive and invasive fixes or just living with it.A good reason it's not done as often nowRead lessRead more

My top priority now is to take out the patchy 100 or so mm that is in the loft now and put new 100mm and 170mm across it. I just hate that some sockets in one or two rooms get draft out of them and sometimes when I make a hole in the plasterboard to put up a shelf or a picture, there is draft too. Any suggestions?