Loft Insulation upgrade

[Fender Stratoplaster]

We were thinking of insulating and boarding our loft and adding a loft hatch so had some builders round to take a look and do a quote but they said there's no need to add insulation as its already got adequate insulation there

Looking at the existing insulation, it looks like the loft wool insulation type and is probably quite old, we've had the house only for a year or so and would of been put in by the original owner

I've taken a picture to show what its like - is this insulation still up to the task or would there be a significant benefit to replacing if there is something better?

Also, is this some sort of insulation between the rafters? Or is it just normal cladding or similar

Thanks

 

[flameport]

What's there is probably 100mm thickness, which is entirely inadequate.
Adding another 200mm on top of that would get it to modern standards.

Boards will need to be raised above the insulation, so additional supports will be required.

The rest is just the back of the felt or whatever else was used - that's not insulation, and you don't need or want insulation there.

 

[Fender Stratoplaster]

Thanks @flameport - do you suggest getting some more insulation and laying on top of existing?

 

[flameport]

Yes - get some 200mm thick and lay over the existing.

 

[mad.phase]

Just jumping into this conversation from last year. I read and fitted some 200mm loft insulation to 'top up' my existing which was likely similar 100mm. Just after a general opinion upon how I have done. Thanks

 

[cdbe]

Looks better than your photography.

 

[mad.phase]

hA

 

[davelx]

What's there is probably 100mm thickness, which is entirely inadequate.
Adding another 200mm on top of that would get it to modern standards.

Boards will need to be raised above the insulation, so additional supports will be required.

The rest is just the back of the felt or whatever else was used - that's not insulation, and you don't need or want insulation there.

It's perfectly OK to have insulation between the rafters provided that there is an air gap between the insulation and the felt with eve and ridge vents to allow airflow between the felt and the insulation, plus provision for ventilation of the loft space.