David in Normandy wrote:
In article , David Hansen
says...
On Mon, 8 Oct 2007 13:38:49 +0200 someone who may be David in
Normandy wrote this:-

What "loft" insulation material would the experts recommend for my
needs?

You didn't state what constraints you place on your choice of
insulation material, such as sustainability or cost.

Far better to put in a heat recovery system to heat the rooms
upstairs and insulate the loft. For the latter, wool or newspaper is
more sustainable but generally somewhat more expensive.


Unfortunately the loft can't be insulated at the moment - or rather it
would be a waste of time as there is a mezzanine sized hole between
upstairs and the attic space, so any warm air would just drift up the
"hole" and into the roof space. The "hole" will become stairs at some
time in the future, but a lot more building work needs doing before
then. The immediate need is to insulate the floor/ceiling above the
living room.

As the gap under the floor boards is only around 4 inches I don't know
whether to use Rockwool,

effective, fireproof, dampproof, rotproof, low cost, indefinite life,
some sound absorption

vermiculite,

I suppose you could, but it would not be a first choice material

or some of that new foil/bubble
wrap stuff,

lot of question over the claims made with that stuff. Burns away in
fire, little or no sound insulation, limited life, high price.

Polystyrene

works. Flammable though, and easy to make nests in

or some other material?

sheep wool costs more, has limited life, burns, and is very cosy
for mice.
Fire retardant treated shredded paper burns in fire, is cosy for mice.

Preferably not a
material that mice would find too comfortable to set up home in as we
live in the countryside surrounded by lots of the furry little buggers.

firebreglass or rockwool are the best bet.

David in Normandy.
(The free MicroPlanet Gravity newsreader is great for eliminating
rubbish and cross-posts)


NT