Costs & Pricing
Attic Insulation Grants in Ireland (SEAI) for Roof Work
SEAI grant-aids attic insulation up to €2,000 (€2,500 for first-time buyers). What it covers, the 2026 amounts by property type, who qualifies, and why a re-roof is the best time to upgrade.
If you’re re-roofing, or just trying to warm up a cold house, you’ve probably seen that SEAI gives grants for attic insulation. The common confusion: does it cover the roof itself? It doesn’t — but the insulation underneath is grant-aided, and a re-roof is the best moment to get it right.
I’m Michael Casey, founder of Keystone Roofing. Here’s a plain-English rundown of what SEAI covers, the current grant amounts, and how it fits with roof work in Cork. Grant figures are from SEAI and current at the time of writing — always confirm the latest on SEAI.ie.
A house loses roughly 20–30% of its heat through the roof, so SEAI grant-aids attic insulation: €2,000 detached, €1,500 semi-detached/end-terrace, €1,400 mid-terrace, €1,100 apartments (first-time buyers up to €2,500 from 2 March 2026). The grant covers the insulation via an SEAI-registered installer — not the roof covering — and the home must be built before 2011 (SEAI).
What does the SEAI attic insulation grant cover?
The grant covers insulation — typically laying or topping up insulation at attic-floor (joist) level, or insulating at rafter level where the attic is a room. It does not cover the roof covering, tiles, felt or structural roof work. According to SEAI, a home loses an average of 20–30% of its heat through the roof, which is why attic insulation is one of the cheapest, highest-impact upgrades you can make (SEAI, 2026).
How much is the grant in 2026?
SEAI sets fixed attic-insulation grant amounts by property type. The current values are:
| Property type | Attic insulation grant |
|---|---|
| Detached house | €2,000 |
| Semi-detached / end of terrace | €1,500 |
| Mid-terrace | €1,400 |
| Apartment | €1,100 |
| First-time buyers (from 2 March 2026) | up to €2,500 |
Source: SEAI. Amounts change — confirm before you apply.
Who is eligible?
The main conditions are straightforward: your home must have been built and occupied before 2011, the work must be carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor, and you apply for grant approval before the work begins. A BER assessment is required afterwards. Full terms are on SEAI’s grants page — check them before committing.
Why a re-roof is the best time to upgrade insulation
When the roof covering is off for a full re-roof, the attic and rafters are more accessible than they’ll ever be again, and it’s the ideal moment to add a breathable membrane and improve insulation and ventilation together. Doing both at once avoids paying twice for access. Get the ventilation right too — over-insulating without airflow causes condensation, which is why roof ventilation matters as much as the insulation itself.
Planning a re-roof in Cork?
It’s the perfect time to sort insulation and ventilation while the roof is open. Book a free inspection and we’ll talk through your re-roofing options — and see our cost of a new roof in Cork 2026 guide for budgeting.
See Roof Insulation CorkAttic Insulation Grants (SEAI) — FAQs
01 How much is the SEAI attic insulation grant in 2026?
SEAI sets fixed amounts by property type: €2,000 detached, €1,500 semi-detached or end-of-terrace, €1,400 mid-terrace, and €1,100 apartments. First-time buyers can avail of up to €2,500 from 2 March 2026. Always confirm current values on SEAI.ie before applying.
02 Does the SEAI grant cover the roof itself?
No. The grant covers attic or rafter insulation, not the roof covering, tiles, felt or structural roof work. A house loses 20–30% of its heat through the roof, so insulation is grant-aided — but the re-roof itself is a separate cost.
03 Who qualifies for the SEAI attic insulation grant?
Your home must have been built and occupied before 2011, the work must be done by an SEAI-registered contractor, and you must apply for approval before work begins. A BER assessment is required afterwards. Full terms are on SEAI.ie.
04 Should I insulate the attic during a re-roof?
It is the ideal time. With the covering off, the attic and rafters are accessible and you can improve insulation, membrane and ventilation together — avoiding paying twice for access. Just ensure ventilation is addressed too, or over-insulating can cause condensation.
Michael Casey, Founder & Master Roofer
Michael Casey is the founder of Keystone Roofing and Construction. He has been on Cork roofs since 2000 and has completed 500+ roofing projects across County Cork and Tipperary.
Keystone Roofing and Construction - CRO Business Name No. 752205 - Fully insured (AXA Policy 12/28/150946921)
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