Answer these simple questions and we will find you the BEST prices
Which type of solar quotes do you need?
Get Free quotes from insulation specialists near you
Save money by comparing quotes and choosing the most competitive offer
The service is 100% free and with no obligation
Is Fibreglass Loft Insulation Illegal in the UK? (2024)
- Fibreglass insulation is not illegal in the UK and is quite common in loft upgrades, however, it’s important to handle it carefully to avoid health risks.
- If fibreglass fibres are in direct contact with the skin or inhaled, they can cause several symptoms, such as respiratory discomfort, stomach irritation, and skin rashes.
- Fibreglass costs around £10 per m2, making it one of the most affordable insulation materials today.
Fibreglass is one of the most affordable and versatile insulation materials on the market today, so it’s no wonder that it’s popular in many home insulation upgrades, including lofts. Its malleable sheets are great for insulating awkward spots, and its price tag makes it a very feasible option for lower-budget projects.
However, fibreglass has its downsides, too. While completely legal to use as insulation for loft purposes, the mishandling of fibreglass can cause a range of respiratory health issues and irritations, causing some to believe it may potentially be illegal to use.
To answer this and more, our GreenMatch UK guide will walk you through all you need to know about fibreglass loft insulation, its legalities, as well as pros and cons worth considering.
Ready to get loft insulation? Let GreenMatch UK find you the best bargains. By spending just 30 seconds filling out our online form, you can receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes directly from our network of trusted professionals. Free of charge! Click below to begin.
- Describe your needs
- Get free quotes
- Choose the best offer
Is fibreglass loft insulation illegal?
Simply put, fibreglass loft insulation is not illegal. It is very commonly found and popular as a loft and roof insulation material due to its budget-friendly pricing and wide-spanning accessibility. Despite being relatively inexpensive, fibreglass also provides decent thermal efficiency at an r-value range of 2.2 - 4.3 m²K/W.
However, this does not mean that there aren’t some key rules that one must follow when handling fibreglass:
- Wear safety gear: Adhering to safety practices by wearing protective gear is a must to avoid skin contact and inhalation of fibreglass particles. Mishandling can pose significant health risks such as respiratory difficulty, as well as skin and eye irritation. Wear goggles, mouth guards and a jumpsuit to avoid direct contact with the material.
- Avoid skin contact: Fibreglass, as the name suggests, is composed almost entirely of glass products. This makes the fine strands of glass sharp to the touch, easily causing irritation and rashes on your skin. Handle the material with gloves to avoid contact.
- Avoid inhalation: Airborne particles of fibreglass pose the risk of being inhaled or becoming lodged in your eyes. This can lead to respiratory issues, as well as significant eye irritation. Goggles and a mouth mask are important to avoid this.
While rules and regulations govern insulation materials based on ecological, health, and safety risks, fibreglass remains a completely legal material to use for loft insulation. Just make sure to follow the correct safety precautions to avoid lasting damage to your health.
What is fibreglass insulation?
Fibreglass is a staple in construction and renovation materials. The material is made primarily from recycled glass products which are melted and spun into microscopic strands. These threads are then laced together to form a sheet or quilt of blanket-like material.
Its interlaced nature allows it to effectively trap heat and resist it from escaping. Fibreglass insulation can also provide soundproofing improvements due to its material density. The malleable nature of fibreglass blankets also makes them very effective in insulating awkward angles and difficult-to-access areas of your loft.
Fibreglass is commonly used as loft insulation between rafters for warm loft insulation, or between loft floor joists for cold loft insulation.
Is fibreglass loft insulation dangerous?
You might be wondering; is loft insulation dangerous? Not necessarily, although fibreglass loft insulation can certainly pose a health risk if not handled properly. Despite its soft blanket-like appearance, fibreglass is still made from glass. Therefore contact with the skin and eyes, or inhalation of its airborne particles can lead to significant symptoms.
Here are the key fibreglass insulation dangers and symptoms of direct exposure:
- Respiratory issues: Airborne particles of fibreglass, normally dislodged during installation, can cause mild to severe respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing and even asthma attacks. Wearing an industry-standard facemask during installation is necessary to avoid this exposure.
- Skin and eye irritation: Direct contact with skin, or the lodging of airborne particles in your eye can cause mild to severe irritation, redness, and rashes. Wearing industry-standard safety suits, glasses and gloves is imperative to keep yourself safe during the handling and installation of fibreglass.
For this reason alone, it's advised to ditch the DIY job and work with a professional installer for your loft insulation. That way, you can ensure maximum safety, as well as entrust a professional to carry out the best course of action for your home.
At GreenMatch UK, we can save you countless hours of research and vetting by bringing the bargains to you. Just spend 30 seconds filling out our online form and receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes from trusted professionals. No charges, no obligations. Click below to begin!
- Describe your needs
- Get free quotes
- Choose the best offer
Pros and cons of fibreglass loft insulation
While there is no single best loft insulation material, fibreglass is certainly an affordable and worthy loft insulation material to work with, provided that it’s installed correctly. Here are some of the key advantages you could expect when insulating your loft with fibreglass:
- Budget-friendly and widely accessible.
- High thermal resistance at an r-value range of 2.2 – 4.3 m²K/W.
- Relatively sustainable and recyclable.
Despite its wealth of benefits, fibreglass loft insulation also has significant downsides that are worth filtering into your decision. Here are some of the key points to be mindful of:
- Can pose serious health risks if not handled correctly.
- Requires 270mm or more of insulation thickness to be effective enough.
- More prone to mould and moisture damage compared to other insulators.
With all things considered, fibreglass insulation is a handy material for loft insulation, especially if you aim to complete the project within a budget. Most downsides of any insulation material can be avoided by working with a professional installer.
Professional loft insulation installers can draft the best course of action for you with the experience of an expert. However, finding the right installer can require endless hours of surfing websites and scheduling phone calls. That’s where GreenMatch UK comes in.
By spending just 30 seconds filling out our online form, you can save yourself endless hours of research and vetting by receiving up to 3 free home-tailored quotes straight from our nationwide network of pre-vetted installers. No charges or obligations. Click below to begin!
- Describe your needs
- Get free quotes
- Choose the best offer
FAQ
We strive to connect our customers with the right product and supplier. Would you like to be part of GreenMatch?
