Thermal roof insulation
Good thermal roof insulation significantly reduces heat loss. Choosing the best thermal roof insulation provides optimum external heat insulation and improves the thermal performance of your building. A well-insulated building is a guarantee of longevity and durability.
Thermal roof insulation, an essential element
Thermal roof insulation is a highly effective way to improve thermal comfort in your home, while reducing your energy consumption and saving money. The roof is responsible for 20% to 30% of heat loss from a dwelling, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency. Insulating the roof is essential and will improve comfort overall. Your walls won't feel cold any more and your home will be more energy efficient.
First of all, you need to identify the various works to be carried out. It is strongly recommended that you prioritise roof insulation over wall insulation. It constitutes a more effective investment in the long term because hot air, being lighter than cold air, rises towards the ceiling and the roof, where it escapes via thermal bridges. Thermal bridges are primarily responsible for heat loss and condensation. These are the joins where the insulation stops.
They are responsible for mould and damage to the home. The role of thermal roof insulation is to remove these bridges to optimise thermal comfort and ensure the health of the building.
Although this work can be costly, remember that financial assistance is available, such as the zero-rate eco-loan and the reduced VAT rate of 5.5% for the work.
What is the best thermal roof insulation?
The technique of insulating your roof from the outside is also known as "sarking". It is recommended for traditional sloping roofs. Although it is more complex and more expensive than insulating the roof space from the inside (because the roof has to be removed to install the insulation in panel form), it allows you to keep the roof space intact. It is usually done at the same time as a total roof renovation when the roof is in poor condition.
The insulation, in panel form, is laid directly between the roof rafters, which removes all thermal bridges and makes the insulation highly effective. All types of roof frames lend themselves to insulating the roof from outside, a solution that offers high levels of sound and thermal performance. In addition, it's a process with aesthetic benefits, as it doesn't change the appearance of the roof.
Focus on
Insulating the roof from the inside
Insulating the roof from the inside is the most common approach. It is often preferred because it is relatively economical and simple to do. However, it requires the installation of a vapour barrier membrane in addition to the semi-rigid panels or rolls fitted against the roof frame.
Depending on whether you choose sarking or insulating from the inside, the price varies considerably. A typical price range is between 50 and 300 euro per square metre. This price is based on the type of thermal insulation, the technique chosen for installation and labour. Good roof insulation helps to protect the building and ultimately the planet. This is a significant but long-term investment.