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If you’re unsure whether a warm roof is the right option for your home, it may help to know some of the benefits of warm roofs. Below are the main advantages to choosing a warm roof:

• Improved insulation - Essentially, a warm roof is a standard roof with added insulation. This means your home will stay toasty warm even on the coldest days.

• Energy savings - As warm roofs have extra insulation, you’ll need to use less energy to heat your home during colder months. This means savings on your energy bills.

• Thermal bridging - Warm roofs have very little thermal bridging, preventing heat loss.

• Price - If you’re retrofitting, warm roofs are often more affordable to install than cold roofs.

• Breathable - Warm roofs allow any moisture to escape your home, preventing mould from growing.

What are the disadvantages of a warm roof?

Warm roofs have a range of benefits, however they do have one main drawback. This is really only an issue on warm flat roofs. As long as your warm roof is correctly installed, the main disadvantage is the added height. Fitting extra insulation will make your roof higher which could be an issue if there are constraints on roof height.

Firstly, let's explore the difference between warm and cold flat roofs. These roofs are very similar with one key difference: insulation. Below is a summary of each type of roof:

Cold flat roof - These roofs aren't actually cold but they are less insulated than warm roofs. Cold roofs don't have insulation installed in their rafters. They do still have insulation in the ceiling below the roof however. Cold roofs are also affected by thermal bridging as wooden rafters conduct heat. This means there’s potential for heat loss.

Warm flat roof - Unlike cold flat roofs, warm flat roofs have insulation above the roof rafters. This can eliminate thermal bridging, keeping your home warm and reducing wasted energy.

Now we know the difference between both types of roof, you may be wondering which is better, a warm or cold flat roof? When it comes to flat roofs, cold flat roof insulation takes longer and therefore can be more expensive. They also have reduced thermal insulation.

Warm flat roof insulation is easier to install and improves your home's energy efficiency but does add height to your roof. This can mean they’re unsuitable for balconies or flat roofs that can be walked over. Really, the best option for your home will depend on your requirements.

If you’re considering adding insulation to create a warm roof, you’re probably wondering how much a warm roof costs? Firstly, let's consider the different factors that affect the cost of warm roof insulation. These include:

• Roof size - The bigger your roof is, the more insulation and labour will be needed. This will affect how much you pay for warm roof insulation.

• Roof condition - If you’re retrofitting a warm roof, the condition of your current roof is an important consideration. If your roof is in poor condition, extra work will be needed to repair the damage. This will come at an extra cost.

• Type of insulation - There are many different types of insulation to choose from, each with a different cost.

• Accessibility - If access is an issue, this may increase labour costs.

• Location - Labour costs will vary depending on where you live in the UK.

  Celotex is a great example of warm roof insulation with many benefits. You can learn all about Celotex boards in our how to insulate roof rafters guide. For reference, the cost to install Celotex insulation can be between £12 - £54 per board.

If you’re wondering how to build a warm flat roof, our how to insulate roof rafters guide is the perfect resource. It takes you through how to install Celotex insulation step by step. The key stages are:

• Preparing your roof

• Taking measurements

• Creating an air gap

• Trimming the Celotex boards

• Installing stop battens

Remember, if you’re looking for perfect results in a short time, hiring a warm roof specialist will save you a lot of hard work and stress. Plus, you can guarantee results that’ll last for years to come.

How long do warm roof installations take?

Depending on how big your home is and how easy it is to access your roof, it’ll generally take less than a day to install warm roof insulation.

Want to speak to warm roof professionals in Kirkwall?

Once you’re ready to get started with warm roof construction, you’ll need to find a trustworthy, qualified professional. Our members pass a series of checks to ensure they’re perfect for your job. They’re even recommended by your neighbours.

We can help speed up your search for warm roof experts in Kirkwall in two easy ways. One option is to use our free search. Just type in your postcode to see a variety of warm roof specialists in your area.

Alternatively, you can fill in our request a quote form. Simply tell us about your project and we’ll pass your details to three warm roof professionals in your area. They’ll then get to work drawing up three personalised quotes.