Since flat roofs are becoming popular for their sleek, modern look and practical use of roof space, one question is popping up. How can you make your flat roof more energy-efficient?
Without the right insulation, any roof can become the source of high heating bills, structural issues and massive heat loss. That’s why investing in quality insulation in your flat roof is a wise choice for your property and your pocket!
We’ll break down the 3 key reasons you should be thinking about insulating your flat roof properly as soon as possible. And we’ll also let you know what happens when you get the wrong contractors in for this job…
Increase The Value Of Your Property
Would you want to increase that valuation number for your property if you could do it with relative ease? Increasing your property’s market value is always a smart move, and as buyers are more energy-conscious than ever, ensuring your flat roof is properly insulated is a must.
Flat roof insulation can add value to your home simply by reducing heating and cooling costs, improving energy efficiency ratings and giving the assurance of a well-maintained property. All together, these things factor into a buyer’s decision to offer more to secure your property.
From a buyer’s perspective, if you’re enjoying cheaper energy bills, they will too!
Upgrading your flat roof insulation is a fairly simple way to up your property’s potential value while still benefiting you in the present.
Improve Energy Efficiency And Reduce Energy Costs
Without the right insulation, your flat roof could be losing heat. In fact, your home or commercial property could be losing up to 25% of its heat through your roof. So all of that heat you’re paying for could be rising away without getting a chance to make your home any warmer.
Your heating system accommodates this loss by working harder, so you might not even realise there’s an issue, but that means higher energy bills for you and the creation of unnecessary carbon emissions too.
Insulation in your flat roof can drastically reduce heat loss through the roof in two ways:
Lowering Energy Consumption: Less heat goes up and out of your roof, so your home heats up to the desired temperature quicker and with less effort from your heating system. By trapping in the heat, you’ll rely on central heating less in the colder months, as once it’s warm, it stays warm for longer.
Regulating Ambient Temperatures: It isn’t just heating that roof insulation helps with. In the summer, flat roof insulation keeps the interior of your house cooler, so there’s less need for air conditioning or costly electric fans.
As any property owner knows, energy costs are on the rise, so flat roof insulation can be one method of cutting expenses in the long run.
Improve Your EPC Rating
Homeowner or landlord? You know the value of a good EPC rating!
An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate that is the standard for knowing the energy efficiency of a home. Properties in the UK are rated on a scale that ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). What many homeowners don’t realise is that insulation is a key factor considered when your EPC rating is determined.
Having a poor EPC rating can make your property harder to sell or let and will ultimately mean higher energy costs for whoever is inhabiting the property.
The alternative? Upgrading your flat roofing insulation to improve your EPC rating – and make a practical improvement to your home’s energy performance. It will also make your property more appealing to prospective buyers or tenants. If you’re a landlord any energy efficiency improvement can be crucial, as rental properties must comply with strict minimum EPC standards to be let legally.
Choosing The Right Contractor To Insulate Your Flat Roof
Now you know the benefits of flat roof insulation, you may be eager to get insulation installed. But insulating a flat roof is not a job for DIYers or even general builders.
Improperly installed insulation can be just as bad or worse than no insulation at all. Using a contractor who isn’t experienced with flat roof insulation can lead to some serious issues.
If your roof insulation isn’t properly installed, your flat roof could suffer from condensation build-up, trapping moisture between the materials. This can lead to deeper problems like mould and damp. This goes hand in hand with structural issues that can spring up from unchecked water ingress caused by the incurred insulation being used or poor installation.
With poorly installed insulation, you could seriously reduce the lifespan of your flat roof, as materials may degrade faster or require replacement sooner than would otherwise be needed. In the end, you may find yourself wondering why you wasted money on incorrect insulation that is now costing you more.
The good news is that by employing an experienced contractor, you can avoid all of those issues and benefit from flat roof insulation. When insulating your flat roof, make sure you choose a PAS 2030-approved contractor.
PAS 2030 is the UK’s official standard for energy-efficient improvements to property. If your contractor is certified with this scheme, it means they’ve been assessed and approved to carry out work that will meet both government and industry standards.
Thinking Of Insulating Your Flat Roof To Reap The Rewards?
Installing flat roof insulation is a good decision for your property, your bank account and your comfort. In fact, we go as far as saying insulating your flat roof is an essential investment in your property, lowering your energy bills, and giving you more even temperatures indoors. And adding to your property value isn’t something to be sniffed at, along with improving your EPC rating.
To guarantee that you’re getting quality insulation installed effectively, always choose a PAS 2030-approved contractor for the job. If you’d like to find out how your flat roof could benefit from proper insulation, book your free flat roof survey today for a detailed report.