To prevent heat loss, a roof must be well insulated. Roof insulation on the inside prevents heat rising up so that a room remains optimally heated. In this way you save an enormous amount of energy, which is nice for both the environment and your wallet. Insulation along the inside is the most common form of insulation and is particularly suitable for sloping roofs.
Insulate the roof from the inside
Insulating a roof from the inside is also referred to as a “cold roof”. Insulating a roof on the inside is usually cheaper than roof insulation from the outside. Flat roofs are almost always insulated on the outside to prevent possible moisture problems.
Advantages
The roof on the inside is a relatively inexpensive and fast way to insulate the roof. Different materials can be used and easily applied. Insulation boards or insulation blankets are placed against the roof boarding, after which the ceiling is neatly finished with drywall (or other material).
Disadvantages
In most cases, the ceiling will have to be removed to insulate the roof from the inside. In addition, the insulation material takes away some space (from the attic). Insulating a roof from the inside involves the risk of moisture and mold. There is also a chance of cold bridges, because the material often cannot be applied as a continuous whole. It is therefore of great importance that an insulation specialist carries out the insulation work.
Roof insulation inside and moisture problems
It is very important to properly install the roof insulation on the inside to prevent moisture problems. The expertise and experience of a professional is certainly needed for this important job. Moisture can enter the roof construction from both the outside and the inside. The layer that normally ensures the removal of this moisture is filled with insulating material with the insulation. To prevent moisture problems, it is important to apply the material 100% airtight. In addition, in the case of roof insulation, a vapor barrier film is also applied on the inside to prevent condensation from penetrating into the insulation material. A vapor-permeable film is applied to the roof side of the insulation material to remove any moisture outside.
Materials
Different insulation materials can be used to insulate a roof on the inside.
- Mineral wool
Mineral wool, such as glass wool and rock wool, is relatively inexpensive and easy to process. Both glass wool and rock wool both have an excellent insulating effect, although rock wool provides better acoustics.
- Environmentally friendly insulation material
More and more environmentally friendly insulation materials are being used to insulate the roof on the inside. For example, sheep wool, wood wool, cork, hemp and paper flakes can be chosen.
- Plastic insulation material
It is also possible to opt for plastic materials to insulate the roof from the inside. Examples of plastic materials are EPS, XPS, PUR and PIR are petroleum-based chemical foams. Because these light insulation materials are insensitive to moisture, they are often used in damp rooms.
Costs of roof insulation inside
The costs of the roof insulation on the inside depend on the surface, the material chosen and the other work required to install the insulation material. In many cases, the ceiling must be removed or it is necessary to attach an additional construction for the insulation material. The type of finish also determines the total cost of the insulation work.
Roof insulation is an investment that is earned back with the savings on heating costs. You may be eligible for subsidies to fund this investment.
Subsidies and savings
The benefits may be more important than the costs of roof insulation. The insulation provides a considerable saving on heating costs; nice for both the environment and your wallet. To fund the investment, you can ask your municipality whether you can apply for a subsidy. These are often made available, in particular for owners of older houses, with a view to making them more sustainable.
Website of the central government: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/energie-thuis/vraag-en-antwoord/subsidie-isolatie-huis
Energy subsidy guide: https://www.energiesubsidiewijzer.nl/
Good roof insulation is very important. It prevents heat loss, which results in a huge saving on heating costs. By insulating the roof you are – literally and figuratively – a lot warmer. Roofs can be insulated on both the outside and inside. Insulation on the inside is particularly suitable for pitched (sloping) roofs, for flat roofs this method of isolation involves potential moisture problems. Roof insulation on the inside is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. The expertise and experience of an insulation specialist is required. There are various materials that lend themselves as insulating material, from mineral wool, durable insulation materials to plastic foams. Insulating a roof should be seen as an investment that will pay for itself with energy savings. Municipalities often make subsidies available for roof insulation in order to promote sustainability.
For the right investment and the highest return, it is advisable to call in an insulation specialist. The specialist will look with you at the insulation options and help you make the right choice.
Do you want to save on your energy bill and insulate your roof on the inside? Get advice without obligation and ask for an accurate cost overview from one of the specialists at Trudodak.