Structural Assessment
Checking rafter depth, existing insulation, and moisture condition before work begins.
Pitched Roof and Loft
Roof Insulation in Riga
Pitched roof and loft insulation fitted between the rafters - with correct vapor control, a breather membrane, and a ventilation gap. This service covers the roof slope, not the attic floor.
Who it's for
For Loft and Pitched-Roof Owners
Roof insulation is for situations where the space under the roof slope is, or will be, a living area - a loft conversion, second floor, or an attic space you're planning to convert. Insulation is fitted directly between the rafters (or below/above them), so the room under the roof stays warm while the structure itself stays dry.
An important distinction: if your attic is cold and unused - nobody lives there and there are no plans to - the correct solution is insulation at ceiling or floor level, not on the roof slope. See that service on our attic insulation page - it's a different zone of the building with a different technical solution.
This service also suits people already living in a loft space who notice draughts, cold walls in winter, or excessive heat in summer - this usually points to insufficient or uneven existing insulation. It's equally relevant for anyone planning to convert an attic into new living space where the roof structure isn't insulated at all yet.
The need
The Problems Insulation Solves
An uninsulated or incorrectly insulated roof slope creates both comfort and structural problems.
Heat Loss Through the Roof
Missing or thin insulation on the slope is one of the biggest sources of heat loss in loft spaces.
Thermal Bridging at the Rafters
A continuous insulation layer prevents local heat loss where the timber rafter interrupts the insulation.
Condensation and Moisture in the Structure
Incorrect vapor control, or its absence, causes condensation that damages the timber structure over the years.
Scope of work
What's Included in Roof Insulation
Insulation Fitted Between the Rafters
Installing stone wool, mineral wool, or cellulose insulation to the calculated thickness.
Vapor-Control Membrane Installation
An airtight membrane on the room side, with sealed joints and connections to the walls.
Ventilation Gap Check
Making sure airflow between the insulation and the outer membrane stays functional.
Additional Framing
If the rafter depth isn't sufficient for the desired insulation thickness, we build out an additional batten layer.
Sealing Joints and Connections
Tape and vapor-control adhesive at every penetration and connection - flues, windows, and walls.
Structure
The Roof Insulation System Layers
The correct order ensures the insulation does its job and the structure stays dry.
| Layer (outside to inside) | Function |
|---|---|
| Roof covering | The outer water-resistant layer |
| Battens and counter-battens | Load-bearing base for the covering, creates the ventilation gap |
| Breather membrane | Lets vapor escape from the structure, keeps out water from outside |
| Ventilation gap | Removes moisture that passes through the membrane, away from the insulation |
| Insulation between the rafters | The main thermal-insulation function - reduces heat loss |
| Vapor-control membrane | Prevents moist indoor air from getting into the structure |
| Interior finish (plasterboard, etc.) | The room's interior finish, hiding the vapor membrane behind it |
Each of these layers solves a specific technical problem: a continuous insulation layer reduces thermal bridging, correctly sealed vapor control combined with a functioning ventilation gap prevents condensation in the roof structure, and carefully sealed membrane joints ensure airtightness.
Materials
Choosing an Insulation Material
Material choice affects thermal conductivity, fire resistance, and installation method.
Stone Wool
Good fire resistance and sound insulation - the standard choice for insulating pitched roofs between the rafters.
Mineral Wool
Easy to install in boards or rolls, widely available in various thicknesses and densities.
Cellulose Insulation
A blown-in material that fills irregular gaps and complex structural shapes well.
We determine the insulation thickness based on rafter depth and the desired thermal-conductivity target - we offer a precise solution after a site assessment, not a generic average figure. If the existing rafter depth is less than needed for full insulation thickness, the solution is to build out additional battens on the room side - this lets us increase the total insulation thickness without rebuilding the roof structure.
Critical details
Vapor Control and the Ventilation Gap
Two details determine whether insulation will function long-term: sealing the vapor-control membrane on the inside, and a continuous ventilation gap on the outside. If either layer is damaged or skipped, moisture builds up in the insulation and the structure, reducing thermal performance and encouraging timber decay.
Sealing Vapor-Membrane Joints
Every joint and connection is sealed with special tape - even a small gap can cause localized condensation.
Ventilation Gap Beneath the Covering
We check that airflow from eaves to ridge isn't blocked by insulation or debris.
Process
How Roof Insulation Happens
1
Site Assessment
We assess rafter depth, existing insulation, and signs of moisture.
2
Material & Thickness Choice
We propose a solution matched to how the room is used and your budget.
3
Fitting the Insulation
Installing the material between the rafters without voids or gaps.
4
Vapor-Control Installation
Fitting the membrane and sealing all joints, penetrations, and connections.
5
Ventilation Check
Confirming airflow beneath the covering hasn't been interrupted.
6
Handover
Photo documentation, quality control, and warranty documents.
Quality
Quality Control
Before the interior finish is closed up, we check the sealing of vapor-membrane joints and the continuity of insulation across the entire slope. The ventilation gap is checked visually from the attic or roof side before and after the work. This is the only point at which insulation quality can be checked visually - once the interior finish is installed, that's no longer possible, so we photograph every stage.
Price
Factors Affecting Price
The price of roof insulation is affected by the insulation material, thickness, area, whether the rafter depth is sufficient, and the access method (from inside, or by lifting the covering). See the full breakdown on our pricing page.
Timeline
How Long the Work Takes
Insulating an average loft space usually takes 3-7 working days depending on area and access method. If partial removal of the covering is needed to restore ventilation, the timeline can extend. We give you the exact schedule in the quote. Work is usually divided by room - if the loft has several rooms, we can work in stages so you can keep living in the house during the project.
Warranty
Warranty
We provide a written warranty for the insulation work performed and the materials used. See full terms on our warranty page.
Completed project
Loft Insulation in Ķekava
At a single-family home in Ķekava, we insulated the sloped roof of the loft conversion - the rafter depth was insufficient for the desired thickness, so we built out additional battens on the inside and fitted stone wool in two layers. We carefully sealed the vapor-control joints around all the roof window connections.
More Completed Projects
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Roof insulation refers to the roof slope - insulation is fitted between the rafters, in places where the space under the roof is a living area (a loft or attic conversion). Attic insulation refers to cold, unoccupied attics, where insulation is fitted at ceiling or floor level instead. It's a different zone of the building with a different solution.
For pitched-roof insulation, we most often use stone wool or mineral wool for their good fire-resistance and sound-insulation properties. Cellulose insulation is an alternative if you'd prefer a more natural material with good gap-filling coverage. We match the material choice to the rafter depth and roof structure.
Condensation forms when warm, moist indoor air gets into the structure through insufficient or damaged vapor control and meets a cold surface beneath the membrane. The solution is an airtight vapor-control membrane on the inside and a functioning ventilation gap between the insulation and the outer covering.
No - if the existing structure and ventilation gap are adequate, insulation can be fitted from the room side without lifting the covering. If the rafter depth isn't sufficient for the desired insulation thickness, or ventilation needs restoring, partially lifting the covering may be needed - we assess this during the site visit.
Yes - cellulose insulation is blown in with special equipment between the rafters or into structural cavities, filling gaps better than board or roll materials. This solution suits irregularly shaped roof structures, where precisely measuring and cutting boards would be time-consuming.
Get Your Roof Insulated Correctly the First Time
Request a free site assessment - we'll evaluate rafter depth and the existing condition and propose a precise insulation solution.
We'll be in touch within 5-10 minutes