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Loft Conversion

why is my new loft room (dormer) so cold?

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 2.47 PM

Had a loft room (dormer) and bathroom done earlier this year and am very happy with it apart from the fact that it is very, very, cold. In the bedroom they have made a storage space on the side of the roof that slopes opposite the extended dormer side. This is where I think we are getting a great deal of draft from! Inside it, there is some celotex slotted into the rafter bits that form the wall to our room but it's very loose and not a snug fit, allowing it to fall off easily. Is that right? Also was wondering could we use some celotex to put in between the rafters of the roof and board over it to try and retain some extra heat? Boys bedroom below is colder now so there is definitely heat being lost somewhere. This was passed off but I think the building regs man only came round twice, first time he just took the builder's word when he showed him the size of timber/steels being used as he was so far into the job by the time he came round and the second time was when it was finished. I'm just concerned it hasn't all been insulated properly. Is there any way of knowing? Two of my friends have loft conversions and their rooms are very warm. Any advice would be much appreciated.

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1 Answer

SD Building Plans

Rating: 5 out of 5

Orpington

The purlin wall insulation should not be loose. Use some low expansion foam (with a mastic gun) to fill the gaps around the insulation. This will also hold the insulation in place. The pitched roof should also have insulation between the rafters and on the underside of the roof slope. The void behind the purlin wall (sloping side) should have 100mm insulation between the old ceiling joists and 170mm min laid across the top. This will probably stop your son's room from getting cold. If you have had this area boarded out, it is unlikely that you have got insulation on top of the joists. If you want to use this area as storage, you can buy stilts to lift the storage floor up. Just be aware that the void area is meant to be ventilated so do not block any air flow from the eaves (guttering, facia, soffit). Make sure there are no gaps around windows or other openings as any drafts in the loft space will make the room cold. Also, is your radiator big enough? Hope that helps

Answered23 November 2013