Roof insulation without an attic

[Stillstarving]

We're buying a Victorian house with bedrooms in the attic space which have been there since the house was built. The roof of the house was replaced about 10 years ago but it doesn't look to me as if there's much/any insulation between the bedroom ceilings and the actual roof. Would it be very expensive to take the ceilings down and insulate? And will it make much difference to the ceiling height? I'm assuming that it would make a big difference to heat retention?

Yes it will make it warmer. You shouldn't lose much space as the insulation will be between the rafters with plasterboard over it. I looked into it a few years ago, but didn't do the loft conversion in the end.
Google search should show you all you need to know

We have just done this but DH did it himself so I have no idea how much it would cost if you got someone in to do it. He cut a big square out of the ceiling and filled the space with some foam stuff that comes in sheets, with reflective silver stuff on one side. Then put the square of ceiling back and used some filler on the edges. No difference in ceiling height and the room is already warmer. In fact I think the whole house feels warmer.

Hmm Mrs Penny that sounds a more attractive idea than ripping down the ceilings! To look at the ceiling I don't think there's much space between there and the roof but maybe?

The foam sheet stuff that DH used was only about 5cm thick, if that helps. You might be able to get different thicknesses, I don't know. He cut it into pieces to fit snugly in between the vertical wooden bits that the tiles sit on (I think).

I'll check it out. Thanks

I've just done this (in same way as MrsPenny) at a flat I have done up. It is very messy taking down ceilings but the difference was amazing - during the very hot summer the flat was a really nice temperature even though it's south facing and the EPC person has just jumped it from G rating to borderline C/D (make sure you take lots of photos to show the EPC assessor when you come to sell). My beams were deep enough to get 100mm thick insulation in and then I just plasterboarded over and had it skimmed. Not fantastically expensive but a horrible job in terms of breaking down the ceiling at the beginning.

That's very encouraging I'm certain we need to do this asap

If you do insulate, ensure you don't completely fill the space between ceiling and tiles / slates / felt i.e. leave ventilation and use foil backed (and maybe insulated) plasterboard and polythene because by increasing the insulation you run the risk of creating condensation within the roof void.

That's why I wondered if we would have to take the ceings down and end up with them a bit lower Pendeen. It sort of looks like the ceiling and the roof have no space between them to put insulation in. Maybe there is and I just haven't understood it.

There will be space in between the joists (sorry not right term, I always forget which bits of a roof are which). If you imagine a roof without tiles on it, it will have a wooden frame. Tiles (and possibly felt under those) are attached to one side of the frame and on the underside of the frame,, spindly pieces of wood (lathe) is nailed on and plastered over. The insulation is cut to fit in the void between the lathes and the felt/tiles. You cut it into strips to fit between the large sloping joists that form the structure of the roof then, instead of replacing the lathes, you plasterboard and skim.

(And don't forget the polythene...) :)

Starving Have you removed a section of the ceiling already? From what I gather (with my very limited roofing knowledge!) that's the only way you could tell how much space there is.

This picture shows what all the bits are called. The insulation DH used is called Kingspan. He did mention something about leaving space to avoid condensation. He took advice from a friend who builds houses. I'll ask him to elaborate on the condensation issue and post back later.