Loft insulation in 1960s to 1980s houses
From the 1960s, most new houses were built with factory-made trussed rafters. They make the loft easy to insulate and harder to use for storage. And the original insulation is usually thin.
| Built | Roughly 1965 to 1990 |
|---|---|
| Typical roof | Trussed rafters at close spacing, often a low pitch |
| Original insulation | Often a thin layer by today’s standards |
| Watch for | Truss timbers must never be cut; limits on storage weight |
Trussed rafters
A trussed rafter is a triangle of slim timbers joined with metal plates, made in a factory and spaced about every 600mm. The diagonal braces inside each truss form a W, which is why lofts of this age feel cluttered. Each timber is part of a designed structure, so none of them can be cut or removed without an engineer’s design.
Insulating them
Insulating the floor of a trussed loft is straightforward: the ceiling ties of the trusses act as joists. Many houses of this period were built with a thin first layer that has since flattened, so they are good candidates for a top-up. Low-pitched roofs give very little room at the eaves, so care is needed to keep ventilation clear there; blown insulation can help in the tightest corners.
Storage
Trusses are designed for the roof and ceiling, with limited allowance for storage. Light storage on raised boarding is commonly fitted, but heavy loads aren’t a good idea. Ask us what your loft can reasonably take, and keep heavy items close to the walls where the trusses are supported.
Common questions
Can I remove a truss brace to make room?
Can I have boarding in a trussed loft?
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