The attic always occupies a virtual space in a house. In the case of lost attics, it is difficult to fit them out because of their insufficient average headroom or because of a bad layout of the woodwork. Discover in this article the tricks to make them habitable.
For far too long, the attic has been abandoned as a living place, and most people use it as a storage area. But if your attic is big enough, then you can turn it into a livable space where you can go to relax. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to make your attic more habitable.
The need to insulate the attic
The insulation of lost attics prevents heat loss through the roof, especially in winter. During the summer, it allows the air not to heat up too much. In fact, insulation improves comfort and promotes energy savings.
What you need to know before insulating your attic
Insulating materials have the particularity of having a high thermal resistance. This has a significant impact on the space available after the installation of the insulation. Its resistance is determined by its thickness and its own characteristics. You can significantly reduce heat loss in winter and keep cool in summer by improving insulation performance.
Installing insulation in your attic retains the heat inside the house without escaping from the outside. In concrete terms, this means that it is almost impossible for heat to pass through them compared to other surfaces. Thus, for your lost attic, it is necessary to insulate it. Here are some techniques to take into account.
1. Prioritize attic insulation to avoid heat loss
The insulation of the attic must be prioritized. Indeed, the heat produced in the house escapes through the roof if they are badly insulated. Insulation techniques depend on the attic and the space between the top floor of the house and the roof. To make the attic suitable for conversion, the space must not be filled with trusses and must be at least 1.80 m high. The roof slope should have 30% more for an average-sized adult to stand and be a livable and comfortable space.
2. Opt for the right technique and the suitable material
The best technique for insulating a lost attic is to spread insulation material on the floor. You can use flake or roll insulation depending on the accessibility of the area. When it is inaccessible, the best solution is flocking or blowing insulation. The latter consists in projecting an insulating product on the whole floor to obtain a mattress of about twenty centimeters.
It is also possible to insulate lost attics with rolls or semi-rigid panels. However, you must be careful with thermal bridges during installation. The slightest gap between two rolls can reduce the insulation performance to zero.
3. Attic insulation: to optimize the energy performance of your home
Insulating lost attics can be done when the house is built or during renovation work. It can be done from the inside or the outside. In all cases, you must consider the remaining surface after installing the insulating material. Indeed, the performance of an insulation material depends entirely on its thickness.
4. Opt for the best insulation techniques
For efficient attic insulation, it will be necessary to provide a waterproofing membrane covering the slopes, the ceiling, or the right foot. It is also necessary to install a vapor barrier to avoid the harmful effects of condensation from damp rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen and install good ventilation.
5. Efficient roof insulation from the outside
If the insulation is done from the outside, it will be necessary to check if the existing frame can support the weight of the materials. The effectiveness of this technique depends on the insulation forming a continuous cover over the entire roof.
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