COST TO INSULATE ATTIC
We use SEAI as our starting point to estimate the cost of attic insulation. Unfortunately due to ever changing material costs we can only use ball-park figures. Just call for a quotation as the material prices seem to change weekly 087-6089310. It’s frustrating but believe me – we are as frustrated as you!
The SEAI set-out to cover approximately 50% of all insulation costs. Unfortunately this is now not the case due to inflation. Using the SEAI Grant figures we can estimate at a minimum that Attic Insulation will cost double what you see in the table. However the grant takes care of some of the cost. Please note that these are the generic costs for attic insulation and each house is different. For more information the SEAI have produced a useful guide for Attic Insulation.
WHAT'S INVOLVED IN THE COST TO INSULATE AN ATTIC?
It’s not just a case of rolling out insulation and resolving the Attic Door and Airtightness issues. The SEAI Grant is only payable if further measures are
completed as well – I’ve listed these below as well as the benefit of each measure.
The SEAI Grant aims to give you a complete solution for your attic so you never have problems again and achieve the maximum benefit possible. Therefore, it’s a comprehensive solution encompassing Walk- Ways, Pipe Insulation, Water Tank Insulation, etc.
BENEFITS FOR EACH SEAI ATTIC GRANT ITEM
| Insulation Area Installed | If you have a lean-to as part of your habitable home area e.g. kitchen/living-room extension then this must also be insulated (if it can be accessed) to get the grant. This is referred to as a “Whole House Solution” |
| Documentation | Guarantees are always a good idea and really helps if you ever sell the house. |
| Pipe Insulation | After Attic Insulation we have dramatically cooled the attic space. In fact it will probably be close to the outside temperature. If it’s freezing outside then it may well be freezing inside the attic space. Therefore all pipework must be protected. |
| Pipe Insulation | The commonly available “Grey Pipe Insulation” does not meet the standard. It must be at least an equal thickness to the pipe itself |
| Walk boards | Stops you falling through the attic floor! Earth-wool has excellent Thermal performance as it traps air within the membrane. If the Earth-wool is compressed then this performance is compromised. Walk boards are not only safe but ensure the Earth-wool is not compressed via walking on it. |
| Walk boards | Must be 450mm wide for safety |
| Hatch | Must be Draft-proofed Must be same U-Value as the Attic Insulation so the hatch does not become a heat since for the house. |
| Water Storage Tank Insulation | Remember, If it’s freezing outside then it may well be freezing inside the attic space. Therefore the Water Tank must be wrapped. |
| Water Storage Tank Insulation | If less than 300mm above the attic floor then do not insulate as the heat from the house below will stop it from freezing. If above 300mm from the attic floor then must be insulated to stop form freezing |
| Ventilation | There must be sufficient ventilation at the Soffit (or install roof vents). Lack of ventilation will lead to Mould. |
| Ventilation | Too much ventilation refers to the insulation not meeting the Wall-plate at the edges of the attic floor |
| Electrical | High powered cables cannot be covered due to fire risk and it will also drastically reduce the capability of the cable to carry current. General lighting and socket cables are not high powered. |
| Insulation as per specification | All Insulation must meet NSAI standard |
Prior to achieving my SEAI Insulation Certification I didn’t think of half of the measures above but now I understand the benefit of each one.
Of course Attic Insulation can be done without the Grant however “If it's right, then it's right forever, saving money forever. If it's wrong, then it's wrong forever, losing money forever”
I hope this all helps to understand more about Attic Insulation. I’ve answered more of my customer’s general queries below. As always, I’m just a phone call 087-6089310
ATTIC INSULATION COST FAQ'S
Generally homes had 100mm of fibreglass insulation. This is the horrible yellow stuff that made you itchy all over. Over the years this collapses and I find it’s about 50mm now. All insulation is helpful so I would not remove it.
Simply insulate over it. 300mm of Earthwool on top would do the finest. At the end of the day it will give you a better U-Value. Costings above for 30mm Earthwool.
It was estimated in 2020 that in financial terms you save about €250 per year on your heating bills. Given our inflation since then I’d say it’s a multiple of this figure. However it’s not just about savings it’s about having a nice, comfortable place to live. Similar to painting every couple of years – you don’t need too but it makes the house a home. Sometimes I’m asked about the Return on Investment (ROI) of insulating. Thinking purely in those terms is a bit limiting. . . it’s only half the picture. . . it’s like asking what’s the ROI of getting a new kitchen? . . the simple answer is Happiness. . .and money cannot buy that!
Horrible yellow fibre-glass insulation is the simple answer but I wouldn’t use it. It’s awful to work with and you need full PersonalProtective Equipment including a respirator. It also gets all over your house when insulating even with your best efforts to keep the attic door shut. Then each time it’s disturbed the glass fibres become air-Bourne so back to using a respirator every time you are in the attic.
Using R-values get complicated and technical very quickly. Just go with 300mm of Earthwool and you are in a good place.