Loft Insulation?

Question

I have a quantity of carpet underlay. I was thinking of cutting it into strips and putting it between the rafters in my loft and then putting the original insulation material on top of it. It seems a good way of keeping the house warm and saving energy. Does anyone have a reason why I should not do this.

Answer 1

Why don't you try the best available insulation for any where now found at lowest prices to any other insulation product.  =R-53 Radiant Barrier Foils.  Do a search for Energy Conservation Specialists in eBay Stores area.  

The manufacturer has lowered his prices by 3-4 times, so its expensive stuff.  Non-toxic, has =R-53 value when 2 layers are just 3/4" apart at minimum and using the 2 layers on opposite walls lets one layer per wall do the same work. Just stretch and tack to open joists ends is all it takes.  If your attic has a V-shape that should work like the two walls for single =R-53 RB Layers usage.  

Otherwise put a layer on open joist ends stretched like a board, and one on the floor under some extra plywood boards or such.  Advantage of using the two layers is they protect the indoors even if it got +1000 or -400 outside.

Answer 2

the only thing i can think of if its fire resistant-other than that it would be a lot of work when insulation would do as same

Answer 3

it would take up more room then it 's worth for insulation value. 1" of styrofoam would be double the insulation value

Answer 4

carpet underlay is not a particularly good insulant, its just not thick enough to be effective. honestly, its really not worth your time and effort doing it, you wont save any measurable amounts of energy

the best idea would be to increase the depth of fibreglass or rockwool, maybe to a modern standard of 250-270mm