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If you’re looking to improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce heating bills, or address a poorly performing loft space, you’ve likely come across the debate of loft insulation vs spray foam. But what’s the difference? And more importantly, which one is right for your home?
At Universal Eco Homes, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners across the UK understand the real benefits and risks of different insulation types. With over 30 years of combined industry experience, we believe in honest, informed advice, not pushy sales tactics.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the loft insulation vs spray foam debate and tell you what you need to know if you’re dealing with either or both types of insulation.
Loft insulation vs spray foam boils down to traditional vs modern approaches to keeping heat in your home. Loft insulation typically refers to rolls or slabs of insulating material such as mineral wool or fibreglass installed between and over your joists to reduce heat loss. It’s affordable, breathable, and effective. We use a loft insulation product called SuperFOIL SF19, which saves space compared to traditional materials due to its slimmer profile whilst achieving high thermal resistance.
Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, is a liquid that expands into a solid foam when applied. It is often sprayed directly onto the underside of roof tiles or between rafters. It was marketed as a high-performance solution, but for many UK homeowners, it has caused more problems than it solved.
While spray foam can insulate well, it creates serious issues when applied incorrectly or in the wrong context. These include condensation and trapped moisture that can lead to hidden rot or mould, roof ventilation problems, especially in older homes, and difficulty with mortgage approvals. Many lenders now flag homes with spray foam as high risk. It also often results in costly spray foam removal processes when it comes time to sell or repair the property.
We are regularly called out to remove spray foam from lofts where it has caused major headaches for homeowners trying to move or re-mortgage.
In most cases, no, and we wouldn’t recommend it.
Combining loft roll insulation with existing spray foam can lead to over-insulation without adequate ventilation, an increased risk of condensation and hidden timber damage, and difficulty identifying roof defects beneath the foam.
If you have spray foam installed and are considering upgrading your loft insulation, the best first step is to have the foam professionally assessed or removed.
If you inherited spray foam insulation when buying your home or installed it a few years ago before the risks became well-known, you have a few options.
First, have it professionally inspected. We offer loft surveys to assess the spray foam’s condition and the potential impact on your roof structure and ventilation.
Second, consider spray foam removal. We specialise in safe, thorough spray foam removal with minimal disruption to your home.
Third, re-insulate correctly. Once the spray foam is removed, we can help you install breathable, regulation-compliant loft insulation that improves warmth without compromising your home’s structure or value.
In the debate of loft insulation vs spray foam, traditional loft roll insulation remains the most cost-effective, low-risk, and regulation-friendly option for most UK homes. It is breathable and compatible with traditional UK roof structures, easy to upgrade or top up over time, recognised by mortgage providers and energy assessors, and fast and affordable to install.
We make the process simple and stress-free with clear advice and high-quality results.
As part of our broader home improvement services, we also offer protective ProPERLA coating for external walls, which helps improve thermal performance and resist weather damage.
Whether you’re unsure what kind of insulation you have or you’re already dealing with spray foam issues, we can help. From advice on loft insulation vs spray foam to complete spray foam removal, you’re in safe hands with us.
Contact us today to book a loft insulation installation, spray foam removal service or learn more about our services.
When it comes to loft insulation vs spray foam, don’t guess. Get the facts from a team with decades of hands-on experience and a reputation for results.
