Our high-quality sheep’s wool loft insulation will save around 10% on your heating bills. While sloping ceiling insulation is a canny way to thwart heat loss in difficult-to-insulate areas.
Eco-friendly sheep’s wool loft insulation
We install Thermafleece loft insulation made from sheep’s wool. This excellent loft insulation provides significant heat insulation, keeping your period property toasty in winter and saving on your fuel bills.
Thermafleece is a natural and eco-friendly material that has many beneficial properties. It has a 60-year life compared to 15 years for glass wool, and an increase in insulation properties in damp conditions. It’s treated with natural borax to prevent damage from pests and it won’t irritate your skin or respiratory systems. It also supports British sheep farmers – improving economic resilience – and uses little energy in its manufacture.
When we insulate your loft we can also install the unique Loftzone flooring system, which means you can still store heavy items in your loft.
Our innovative insulation solutions are well suited to preserving Hertfordshire’s celebrated architecture, fine examples of which can be found in areas such as Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, St Albans, Cheshunt plus other areas in this magnificent county.
Sloping ceiling insulation
Sloping ceilings in upstairs rooms have very high heat loss per square metre. This is because they usually consist of a sheet of plasterboard, a 100mm ventilated gap between the rafters, then battens, felt and tiles.
If you compare this to an 18-inch wall or 12 inches of loft insulation, it becomes clear how little insulating effect they have, making them responsible for the coldness you’ll often find in these rooms. As a minimum of 50mm ventilation is required between the rafters, taking down the plasterboard to insulate behind a sloping ceiling is very expensive and disruptive for little gain. However, there is another solution.
Our sloping ceiling insulation consists of thermal laminate boarding, a high-efficiency insulation board with plasterboard attached. This is applied underneath the sloping ceilings by screwing through to the rafters.
Gaps around the edges are then filled and the whole area re-plastered. Because the extra material costs a little more, 100mm thickness is recommended wherever possible. However, if you are limited on headroom, 50mm is still effective.
Since this is labour intensive due to the plastering, sloping ceiling insulation is generally more expensive than our draught proofing, loft insulation and secondary glazing. It does however offer an attractive return on investment in terms of money saved on heating bills. This is typically in the region of 10% return per year. So if you have covered the other areas first, this is a very attractive next step for warmth, efficiency and money saving.
Solutions for period homes and listed properties
Our Thermafleece sheep’s wool loft insulation is ideal for period homes and listed properties. We can supply our Thermafleece loft insulation to owners of country homes and traditional period properties across many parts of England.
We have operational teams across the South, South West and the Midlands, including London, Bath, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex.
Loft Insulation FAQs for Hertfordshire Homes
Thinking about insulating your loft in Hemel Hempstead or the wider Hertfordshire area? Below we’ve answered the most common questions homeowners ask about loft insulation in period and listed properties. From breathable materials to heritage-approved methods, these FAQs explain how to keep your home warmer and more efficient while protecting its historic character.
Loft insulation works by creating a thermal barrier that reduces the transfer of heat between your home and the outside environment. In properties across Hertfordshire — including towns such as St Albans, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Watford — insulation beneath the roof stops heat escaping through the loft space. This improves energy efficiency all year round, helping period and modern homes maintain a stable and comfortable indoor temperature.
Proper loft insulation significantly reduces heat loss in your property. For homeowners in Hertfordshire — including towns such as St Albans, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Watford, this means warmer rooms, fewer draughts and noticeably lower energy bills. A well-insulated loft keeps your home comfortable in both winter and summer and can also enhance property value, particularly in older homes where insulation upgrades are highly beneficial.
Energy savings vary depending on your home’s condition and climate, but a well-insulated loft can reduce heating bills by up to 10%. Homes in St Albans, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Watford, where weather conditions can increase heat loss, often see even greater benefits. Whether you live in a modern Hampshire property or a period home, loft insulation is one of the most cost-effective upgrades for improving efficiency.
Draughts (or air infiltration) are often one of the biggest sources of heat loss in a building – something commonly experienced in older Hertfordshire homes — including towns such as St Albans, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Watford. In a typical ‘unimproved’ period building (one that has not had modern insulation measures applied) we estimate the draughts cause approximately 30% of total heat loss. To accurately measure the sources and rate of draughtiness (or air infiltration) an air pressure test is required.
However, most occupants know where the draughts come from and where they are worst because they can feel it! Windows, doors and chimneys will normally be responsible for the majority of the draughts. Mitchell & Dickinson’s surveyors will help you identify the draught sources and their contribution to your building’s thermal performance.
Yes. Damp issues often arise when insufficient insulation creates cold surfaces in the loft, causing warm, moist indoor air to condense. This is particularly relevant in areas like St Albans, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Watford, where humidity can be higher. Installing quality loft insulation — alongside proper ventilation — helps regulate moisture levels and protect your Hertfordshire home from mould, condensation and damp-related damage.
There are several types of loft insulation, including fibreglass, mineral wool, cellulose and reflective foil. In Hertfordshire properties — especially older homes in St Albans, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead and Watford and the surrounding areas — breathable natural materials such as sheep’s wool are often preferred because they support moisture balance while delivering excellent thermal performance.
This natural and eco-friendly material has many beneficial properties including a 60-year life compared to 15 years for glass wool, and an increase in insulation properties in damp conditions.
Products such as Mitchell & Dickinson’s eco-friendly sheep’s wool loft insulation are treated with natural borax to prevent damage from pests, are not irritating to skin or respiratory systems, support British sheep farmers – improving economic resilience – and use little energy in manufacture. Sheep’s wool insulation is also biodegradable, reducing its environmental impact at the end of its lifecycle.
While it is possible to install loft insulation yourself, it’s often worth hiring a professional to ensure it’s installed correctly and effectively. They will be up to date on the latest building regulations and will have the correct specialised equipment to complete the job. They’ll also have knowledge of achieving the desired thermal resistance and understand the required density and thickness of the insulating material.
Yes, and we recommend that you do because sloping ceilings have very high heat loss per square metre. This is because they usually consist of a sheet of plasterboard, a 100mm ventilated gap between the rafters, then battens, felt and tiles. If you compare this to an 18-inch wall or 12 inches of loft insulation, it becomes clear how little insulating effect they have, making them responsible for the coldness you’ll often find in these rooms.
Mitchell & Dickinson’s sloping ceiling insulation consists of thermal laminate boarding, a high-efficiency insulation board with plasterboard attached which is applied to the underneath of the sloping ceilings by screwing through to the rafters. Gaps around the edges are then filled and the whole area re-plastered.
Breathable natural materials, such as sheep’s wool, are ideal for insulating Georgian, Victorian, and listed homes in Hertfordshire. They reduce heat loss while allowing the building to breathe, protecting timber and plaster from moisture damage.
Yes, but it must be done carefully. For listed buildings in Hertfordshire, conservation officers usually recommend breathable loft insulation that respects historic fabric. Professional advice ensures your project meets heritage guidelines.
For most properties in Hemel Hempstead, loft insulation can be installed in a single day. Larger or listed homes may take longer, as careful handling of historic features is required to ensure the insulation is both effective and conservation-friendly.
