OK. Talk to me about insulation, do.

[Habbibu]

Our house is about 100 years old, semi, with a smallish attic that you can stand up in and has a little skylight. It's completely floored in what look like the original floorboards. It's unlikely (but not totally out of the question) that we'd ever properly convert it, but we might need it as a study in a few years if we have another baby.

We are pretty sure it's not insulated. I don't think I can bring myself to have the floorboards torn up to have the normal stuff laid. Has anyone had blown insulation in an attic like this? And also, if we were to lay out rolls of insulation (the stuff that's covered in plastic) on top of the floorboards, would that make a difference? Anyone got any other ideas?

[Habbibu]

cold-in-winter bump

[Tickle]

rolled insulation would definitely make a big difference, and would be much easier to remove again than that loose paper stuff if you wanted to convert it in the future...

a mucky unpleasant job, but easy to do yourself - get some overalls and good gauntlet gloves!

[Tickle]

oh, and if you want to store stuff in the attic in the meantime, you should lay some joists first - the same height as the insulation - then you can lay plyboards over the top without squashing the insulation (it needs to be fully puffed up to be effective)

[mumonthenet]

Am not really in the same boat, habbi, but...

Can you change the windows? We have replaced all windows with double glass modern pvc. (Do appreciate this doesn't suit all houses but there are millions of styles available on the market. The insulation they provide is fantastic.

[Habbibu]

Thanks, tickle. Wish the place wasn't floored to start with - life would be much easier, but I just can't face getting them all pulled up...

[RambleOn]

Ask your local council about an insulation grant. Some of them have pretty good schemes that can help towards cost/pay for it outright depending on your circumstances.

[Habbibu]

thanks, mumonthenet - the windows are actually relatively new & double-glazed, so the house is probably warmer than it would have been. Hardly any curtains, mind, so that's tomorrow's job!

[Habbibu]

Ramble, I tried out the British Gas website, and it flat-out refused to accept us as the attic is floored. Will try council, but suspect we may have difficulties as it's not a standard job. It's a PITA - cost us £109 to insulate old flat...

[Habbibu]

Ooh - found this - the Warmroof system. Anyone know anything about it?

[Habbibu]

Skip that - googled and it looks a bit dodgy...