Whatever type of property you're working on, it's critical to consider how you'll keep it warm all year. With all new homes being obliged to achieve particular thermal performance criteria, there has never been a better moment to decide which type of insulation is most suited to your project.
Insulating your home well can considerably reduce heat loss and save you money on energy expenses. Sheep's wool and glass wool insulation are popular environmentally friendly solutions, however there is a wide range of options available. The majority of materials are available in loose bags, rolls, and slabs, making them ideal for insulating floors, walls, and loft spaces.
Types Of Insulation
Insulation comes in a variety of forms, including boards, rolls, slabs (also known as batt insulation), and even insulated plasterboard. Insulating your home makes it more energy efficient, and you'll notice a reduction in your heating expenditures as well. While cavity walls and lofts are the most commonly insulated locations, floors, pipelines, and sheds can all benefit from insulation.
Insulation slabs
Insulation slabs are an excellent choice because they are simple to install and have the added bonus of being fire-resistant. ROCKWOOL is a well-known brand that specializes in thermal insulation slabs for timber frame structures. Its slabs are renowned to fit easily on both wood and metal frames. They also provide a variety of sound insulation slabs that limit noise transfer between rooms as well as from outside your home.
Loft rolls
Using loft roll to insulate your loft is one of the most effective solutions. Glass wool, mineral wool, and sheep's wool are all excellent candidates for roof spaces because they trap air and hence provide thermal insulation. This will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, while also eliminating condensation issues. Loft roll is offered from major manufacturers such as Isover, ROCKWOOL, and Thermafleece. If you want to lessen noise effect or protect your property from loud exterior sounds, acoustic loft roll is another alternative
Multifoil Insulation
Multifoil insulation is a foil roll made composed of sheets, foils, and insulating materials that is one of the newest insulation solutions on the market. It is one of the thinnest insulation products on the market, and it is simple to transport, handle, and install. Because it concentrates on radiation, conduction, and convection, it is also thought to be far more effective than more standard insulating products. More traditional insulation takes simply conduction and convection into account.
Multifoil insulation may be applied practically anywhere, from roof spaces to cellars, and is very popular among do-it-yourselfers. It is simple to install and has a lifespan of more than 50 years, making it ideal for self-build projects.
Full fill insulation
Cavity walls have been utilized in Britain since the 1920s and are one of the most common wall constructions. They are made up of two leaves separated by a transparent cavity, which aids in the resistance to moisture infiltration and heat loss. This cavity is filled with full fill insulation, which has grown in popularity as manufacturers began to make moisture-resistant insulation for filling cavity walls.
To protect against the elements, full fill cavity insulation must be both weatherproof and water-resistant. Our full fill insulation materials from EcoTherm, Isover, and ROCKWOOL will keep you warm.
Fire-resistant insulation
Adhering to building codes and having the proper fire ratings in place is critical for any project. Non-combustible insulation, which maintains energy while lowering the risk of fire, and fire-resistant boards, which create a solid barrier to prevent the spread of fire, are the two types of fire-resistant insulation. There are also a variety of supplementary insulating accessories available to help you reach a safe fire rating, such as downlights and pipe collars.
Acoustic insulation & soundproofing
Acoustic insulation lowers noise transference between rooms as well as sound transmission from outside to inside (and vice versa). It works by lowering transmission loss and preventing sound from traveling through walls, floors, and ceilings. External noise pollution, such as car alarms and traffic, will be reduced by adding acoustic insulation, and noisy films will not disturb the children's bedrooms by installing room-to-room soundproofing.
To lessen noise impact, acoustic panels, underlay, and foam can all be employed. There are additional items on the market that combine soundproofing with thermal insulation. Acoustic insulation slabs are a good example of this, albeit they are only appropriate for pitched roofs and cavity walls.
Insulation Materials
Once you've determined which places need to be insulated and what type of insulation is needed, it's time to choose the best materials for the job. Insulation can be constructed from a variety of fabrics, each with a somewhat different function. Wool is a popular insulating material, and there are three types: rock mineral wool, glass mineral wool, and sheep's wool. All of these are available in rolls, making them easy to install and fit into wall cavities.
If you prefer to deal with a more rigid material, there are a variety of insulation boards available on the market. Because these are sold in sheets and may be trimmed to size, there should be little waste. The three primary varieties of rigid board insulation are PIR boards, XPS boards, and EPS boards, all of which can be used to insulate walls, ceilings, and floors.
Insulation Board Materials
Insulation boards are simple to install and are available in a variety of materials and sizes. They provide a robust insulation system, and with a variety of thicknesses available, you can be sure to select the best option for your home.
PIR board
PIR insulation board (polyisocyanurate insulation) is made by combining ingredients to form a single rigid foam board. It's a popular type of insulation and one of the most efficient on the market. It is simple to install, has a long lifespan, and is fire resistant. Because of these three characteristics, it is a good insulator to use if you are going on a self-build project.
XPS board
XPS insulation board (extruded polystyrene insulation) is water resistant and extremely strong. As a result, it is an excellent choice for insulating floors, ceilings, and flat roofs. Its moisture resistance means you'll be less likely to have mould and damp issues, and its long-term durability means its insulation capabilities won't diminish with time. It's also worth noting that XPS boards may be reused, which lowers their environmental impact.
EPS board
EPS insulation board (expanded polystyrene insulation) is a low-cost insulation solution that is thermally efficient. Water can penetrate it, unlike XPS boards, but it is still an excellent insulator. It's lightweight, quick and simple to install, and its insulating characteristics, like those of XPS boards, do not decrease over time.
Insulation Roll Materials
Insulation rolls are simple to install and perform particularly well in wall cavities. They are one of the most regularly utilized forms of insulation in the industry and are available in three distinct varieties of wool.
Glass wool
Glass wool is created by combining sand and discarded glass. It's made to look like wool and is filled with numerous air pockets, so it's good for insulation. It can also help with soundproofing and is often praised for being environmentally friendly because it is made from recycled glass that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
Mineral wool
Mineral wool is created by melting down rock and raw minerals and spinning them into fibers that resemble wool. It protects against fire and effectively insulates your home from both weather and noise pollution.
Sheep’s wool
Sheep's wool is one of the most common insulating materials. It is non-toxic and does not burn, making it a safe option for usage in the home. It's also simple to work with and absorbs water, so you won't have to worry about ventilation.
How Much Insulation Do I Need?
Current construction codes need at least 270mm of insulation in a loft to achieve the required U-value of less than 0.16w/m2k. If your house was built in the 1980s, the loft insulation may be as little as 75mm or less. This was thought to be sufficient at the time, but it is currently less than what we would expect to install today.
You can add to your loft insulation, but you must consider the cost with the advantage. If you find yourself spending a lot of money on heating expenses, it may be worthwhile to invest in a top-up. If you enjoy DIY and can do the project yourself, the installation prices will be substantially lower, so it's something to think about.
Understanding Insulation Thermal Values
An R-value and a U-value are assigned to insulation materials. An R-value indicates how well a material resists the flow of heat. A substance with a high R-value is an excellent insulator that resists the flow of heat well. When it comes to insulating a building, the higher the R-value, the better the material is at it.
More information on R-values and how they can be altered can be found here.
A U-value is used in the construction business to notify builders, architects, and engineers how well a material insulates. In the United Kingdom, it is usually assumed that U-values are more accurate than R-values since they account for conduction, convection, and radiation. To calculate a material's U-value, divide the temperature difference between inside and outside the material by the rate of heat transfer.
Because U-values calculate how much heat has been lost, the lower the U-value, the better.
You can find out more information about U-values and how to calculate them here.
