Loft insulation thickness allows you to choose the appropriate depth for the job.
Many older UK homes already have 75mm–100mm of insulation installed. Current UK and Wales guidance on loft insulation thickness usually recommends 270mm of mineral wool in a cold loft to meet regulatory targets.
That figure is based on the target U-value required for your specific project under Approved Document L. Loft insulation thick enough for today’s performance levels balances thickness, material type, and proper installation.
When choosing loft insulation thickness, think about:
Loft insulation by thickness refers to insulation products categorised and sold by depth – usually mineral wool rolls, rigid boards, or multi-layer systems.
Let’s focus on mineral wool roll, as that’s the most common for cold lofts.
It’s made from molten glass or stone spun into fibres. Those fibres trap millions of tiny air pockets. Air does not move much inside those pockets, so heat transfer slows. That’s how insulation works – by resisting heat flow and effectively reducing energy bills.
Performance depends on:
So when someone says they need “loft insulation thick enough for regulatory compliance,” they mean thick enough, with the right lambda, to achieve the required U-value.
Thickness categories make it easier for builders to:
15mm–40mm insulation listed under loft insulation by thickness are usually rigid PIR boards or specialist thermal boards. These thinner products are precision tools used where space is tight, detailing is important, or you’re improving performance without rebuilding the roof, especially with mineral wool insulation.
15mm is a detail layer that improves surface temperature and reduces condensation risk in hard-to-insulate areas. It is used for:
In refurbishment projects, thin boards are sometimes laid over existing insulation before raised loft legs are installed to add performance without lifting the finished floor height too much.
25mm PIR will not meet current minimum loft insulation thickness standards on its own in a cold loft. But paired with additional PIR insulation layers, it enhances overall performance.
It improves thermal resistance, especially when used as a cross-layer of insulation to reduce thermal bridging through timber joists. Its main applications include:
30mm gives stronger thermal resistance while still keeping height under control. It’s common in upgrade jobs where increasing full loft insulation thickness is not possible due to eaves clearance or ventilation limits.
Usually used for:
40mm makes a difference without interfering with head height or airflow, allowing you to effectively insulate your loft. In warm loft designs, subject to condensation risk assessment, 40mm PIR under rafters can help achieve target U-values without excessively increasing rafter depth when combined with thicker insulation between rafters. It has to be a combined build-up.
Typical uses include:
Mineral Wool insulation (Cold Loft Floors)
50–140mm of mineral wool on its own would not meet current UK upgrade targets under Approved Document L.
140mm mineral wool (λ 0.035 W/mK) = ~0.24 W/m²K.
The current recommended upgrade level for loft floors is typically around 0.16 W/m²K.
Because of this, 50–140mm is normally used as:
It is not usually sufficient as a standalone upgrade thickness.
PIR insulation (Rigid Board Insulation)
With PIR insulation (λ typically between 0.022–0.026 W/mK), performance per millimetre is significantly higher.
At 140mm thickness, PIR can achieve a much lower U-value than mineral wool at the same depth. In loft conversions or warm roof systems, this thickness may form part of a compliant roof build-up, depending on the overall design and detailing.
PIR at 50–140mm is typically used in:
Instead of loose-laid floor insulation.
This creates a solid base layer. On its own, it’s still below current regulatory targets, but it fills the joist depth before adding a cross-layer. Often fitted between 150mm–170mm joists.
200mm of mineral wool significantly improves performance but falls below the typical 0.16 W/m²K upgrade target unless combined with an additional layer. It is used in refurbishment work where:
Different thickness options are available to meet the thermal requirements of varying loft designs.
Regulated or assessed projects require improved SAP scores. Others focus purely on lowering heating demand. Having a range of thicknesses means:
You can buy loft insulation by thickness online from Insulation Wholesale. We stock a full range of loft insulation thickness options for trade and DIY. Our prices are competitive, plus we offer pallet deals, fast quote turnaround, and fast nationwide delivery to your site.
Because heat escapes through poorly insulated roof spaces, increasing loft insulation thickness reduces heat transfer. Less heat loss means:
All that translates to lower fuel consumption. The thicker (within reason and properly installed), the better the thermal resistance, up to the point where regulatory targets are met.
For cold lofts:
The best option depends on roof type, target U-value, and available height.
Start by measuring what is already there to determine how much insulation you need to add. If you’ve got 100mm of Knauf insulation installed, you are below modern expectations. Topping up to around 270mm is usually advised for a cold loft.
If you are working on a regulated project, check the required U-value first. That determines the correct loft insulation depth.
100mm Celotex GA4100 is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Celotex is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
100mm Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
100mm Isover Spacesaver Insulation Loft Roll is an efficient and easy-to-install solution for insulating loft spaces, designed to enhance energy efficiency and home comfort.
Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 44 is a non-combustible glass mineral wool roll supplied in a Combi-Cut format. It is designed for use in cold lofts. Manufactured using Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, ECOSE® Technology.
100mm ODE Insulation Loft Roll is a highly effective thermal loft solution for improving home energy efficiency. Made from eco-friendly materials, it offers a simple and effective way to improve comfort while lowering energy costs.
100mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
100mm Rockwool Flexi has been designed as a multi-use, dual-purpose acoustic and thermal mineral wool insulation with a unique flexible edge along one side. It is suitable for use all over the home, in pitched roof rafters, framed external walls, internal partitions, intermediate floors, separating walls and floors, and timber suspended ground floors.
100mm Rockwool RWA45 has been developed for thermal, acoustic and fire performance in a range of construction types. It is suitable for applications on partition walls, ceilings, floors and roofs.
Multi-Roll 44 is a lightweight, non-combustible glass mineral wool roll, designed to provide thermal insulation in lofts. This roll is typically used for insulating loft spaces and cold roofs but can also be used in a multitude of different applications.
110mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
110mm Unilin Thin-R PIR insulation is a foil faced, high-performance insulation solution that offers exceptional thermal efficiency and durability. This polyisocyanurate insulation board, formerly known as Xtratherm, is ideal for a range of applications, such as floors, pitched roofs, and walls.
120mm Celotex XR4120 is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Celotex is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
120mm Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
120mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
140mm Celotex XR4140 is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Celotex is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
140mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
140mm Rockwool Flexi has been designed as a multi-use, dual-purpose acoustic and thermal mineral wool insulation with a unique flexible edge along one side. It is suitable for use all over the home, in pitched roof rafters, framed external walls, internal partitions, intermediate floors, separating walls and floors, and timber suspended ground floors.
150mm Celotex XR4150 is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Celotex is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
The 150mm Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
150mm Isover Spacesaver Insulation Loft Roll is an efficient and easy-to-install solution for insulating loft spaces, designed to enhance energy efficiency and home comfort.
Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 44 is a non-combustible glass mineral wool roll supplied in a Combi-Cut format. It is designed for use in cold lofts. Manufactured using Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, ECOSE® Technology.
150mm ODE Insulation Loft Roll is a highly effective thermal loft solution for improving home energy efficiency. Made from eco-friendly materials, it offers a simple and effective way to improve comfort while lowering energy costs.
150mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
Multi-Roll 44 is a lightweight, non-combustible glass mineral wool roll, designed to provide thermal insulation in lofts. This roll is typically used for insulating loft spaces and cold roofs but can also be used in a multitude of different applications.
150mm URSA 10 DIVERSO Loft Rolls are used as loft insulation in cold pitched roofs. It is suitable for both new build and refurbishment.
200mm Isover Spacesaver Insulation Loft Roll is an efficient and easy-to-install solution for insulating loft spaces, designed to enhance energy efficiency and home comfort.
Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 44 is a non-combustible glass mineral wool roll supplied in a Combi-Cut format. It is designed for use in cold lofts. Manufactured using Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder, ECOSE® Technology.
200mm ODE Insulation Loft Roll is a highly effective thermal loft solution for improving home energy efficiency. Made from eco-friendly materials, it offers a simple and effective way to improve comfort while lowering energy costs.
Multi-Roll 44 is a lightweight, non-combustible glass mineral wool roll, designed to provide thermal insulation in lofts. This roll is typically used for insulating loft spaces and cold roofs but can also be used in a multitude of different applications.
200mm URSA 10 DIVERSO Loft Rolls are used as loft insulation in cold pitched roofs. It is suitable for both new build and refurbishment.
25mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
30mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
40mm Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
40mm Recticel Eurothane GP is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Recticel is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
50mm Celotex GA4050 is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Celotex is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.
50mm Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulation core with composite aluminium foil facings on both sides. Ecotherm Eco-Versal is a multi-purpose insulation board suitable for use in pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and walls.