Specialist roof insulation for Inverness and Highland homes. Cold loft, warm roof and rafter-level installation. Reduce heat loss through your roof by up to 25%. Often combined with re-roofing projects for maximum value. Free thermal assessment included with all roof surveys.
Inverness sits at latitude 57°N. Heating degree days - the measure of how much energy a building needs to maintain internal temperature - are significantly higher in Highland Scotland than the UK national average. Up to 25% of a home's heat loss occurs through the roof. For an Inverness property with inadequate or absent loft insulation, this represents a substantial and ongoing energy cost. Roof insulation is also one of the most cost-effective building improvements available - payback periods on correctly installed loft insulation are typically 2–5 years, and it improves comfort as well as reducing bills. We assess roof insulation during every roof survey and combine insulation upgrades with re-roofing projects wherever it makes financial sense.
Cold loft insulation - mineral wool laid at ceiling joist level - is the standard approach for most Inverness properties with an accessible loft. Current Building Regulations specify 270mm minimum depth; many properties in the Inverness area, particularly pre-1990 stock in Crown, Dalneigh, Merkinch and Hilton, have 100mm or less and in some cases none at all. The installation is straightforward: existing insulation is supplemented or replaced to achieve the correct depth between and over the joists, and the loft hatch is upgraded to match. When combined with a re-roofing project, it adds minimal time and cost to a project that already has the roof area accessible.
Properties with converted loft spaces require insulation at rafter level rather than at ceiling joist level - the insulated envelope includes the roof slope. This is significantly more complex and expensive than cold loft insulation but necessary for any habitable roof space. We install two approaches: rafter-level batts between and below the rafters, or an overlay warm roof system above the existing roof deck where the roof is being re-covered. The overlay approach - rigid insulation above the deck, beneath a new roof covering - is the most thermally efficient and avoids the cold bridging inherent in between-rafter insulation.
The most cost-effective time to upgrade roof insulation is when the roof is being re-covered. Stripping the roof to the deck exposes the rafter structure and, on flat roof sections, gives direct access for overlay insulation installation. For pitched roofs being re-tiled or re-slated, we routinely supplement loft insulation at the same time, completing both works in a single visit. For properties with flat roof sections being replaced with GRP or EPDM, we specify an insulated deck - rigid PIR insulation board beneath the waterproofing membrane - which significantly improves the thermal performance of the flat roof section at marginal additional cost.
| Cold loft insulation top-up (standard 3-bed semi) | £200–£400 |
| Cold loft insulation full install (uninsulated) | £350–£700 |
| Rafter insulation (per m²) | £25–£45/m² |
| Warm roof overlay insulation (flat roof, per m²) | £30–£55/m² |
| Insulated flat roof deck (GRP/EPDM combined, per m²) | £75–£120/m² |
| Loft hatch upgrade (insulated, draught-sealed) | £150–£250 |
Free survey and written quote - no obligation. Call today.
Call 01463 262835"Had the loft insulated when they re-roofed the extension. They found the existing insulation was 50mm and completely inadequate. Upgraded to 270mm across the whole loft. Noticeably warmer that winter and the heating bills were down."
"Victorian property on Ness Bank - they discovered the rafter insulation in the converted loft was falling out in sections. Replaced during the reroofing work. A difference from day one."
"Granny flat above garage - flat roof replaced with insulated GRP deck. They specified PIR insulation board under the GRP. Room is now usable all year round. Was practically uninhabitable in winter before."
Current Building Regulations specify 270mm minimum for cold loft insulation. Inverness properties built before 1990 often have 100mm or less - pre-1960 properties frequently have none. For a Highland property, we recommend achieving at least 270mm between and over joists, and upgrading the loft hatch to match. For rafter-level insulation in converted lofts, current regulations specify a U-value of 0.18 W/m²K.
This depends on whether the loft space is used. For storage-only lofts, ceiling joist level insulation (cold loft) is correct and cost-effective. For habitable loft spaces - converted lofts, rooms in roof - rafter-level insulation is required to include the roof slope within the heated envelope. Mixing the two approaches is generally not recommended.
Yes - and this is the most cost-effective approach. Re-roofing gives access to the full roof structure. We regularly combine cold loft top-up with tile or slate replacement, and overlay warm roof insulation with flat roof replacement. The additional cost during a re-roofing project is substantially lower than standalone insulation work.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates 25% of home heat loss occurs through the roof. For an Inverness property with inadequate roof insulation, upgrading to current standards typically saves £150–£350 per year on heating bills depending on property size and fuel type. At those savings, payback on installation costs is typically 2–5 years.
For cold loft insulation: mineral wool (fibreglass or rockwool) - cost-effective, widely available, easy to install. For rafter-level and flat roof overlay: rigid PIR (polyisocyanurate) board - higher thermal performance per mm, essential where thickness is constrained by rafter depth or flat roof build-up. We specify the correct product for the application.
Incorrectly installed insulation can cause condensation issues - particularly in older Highland properties with natural slate roofs that rely on ventilation through the tile or slate course. We assess ventilation requirements as part of every insulation specification and install appropriate breathable membranes and ventilation provisions where required. This is not something that can be overlooked in a Highland climate.
The ECO4 scheme provides funding for roof insulation for eligible households - typically those on certain benefits or with low energy performance ratings. The Great British Insulation Scheme also provides partial funding. We can advise on eligibility at survey stage. Call 01463 262835 to arrange a free thermal assessment.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Expert advice from local Highland roofing specialists.
01463 262835