24 Jun 2016

Your definitive guide to insulation

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Stocking over a thousand insulation products from leading brands, Insulation Superstore, a brand of Construction Materials Online, highlights the top 10 insulation products available.

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Insulation is the most practical and cost-effective way to make a new construction or existing home more energy-efficient, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter, saving a considerable amount of money on energy bills and reducing carbon emissions.

Typically, half of a home’s heating and cooling will escape if a home is not properly insulated. According to the Energy Saving Trust, heat escapes through uninsulated walls (66% heat loss through solid walls and 33% though cavity walls), the loft/roof space (25% heat loss) and windows and doors (20% heat loss), so it is recommended that any insulation works focus on these areas.

Because one size doesn’t fit all, here is a a range of the best-selling solutions on the market to suit any insulation project, big or small.

1. TLX Gold Multi-foil roofing insulation

What is it? 2-in-1 insulating breather membrane. Vents moisture like a breather membrane, whilst insulating like non-breathable PIR board.

What are the key benefits? Improves thermal performance of a roof without the risk of condensation or having to adjust the height of the roof.

What are the main applications? Historic buildings, barn conversions, new builds and extensions.

2. Isover Spacesaver loft insulation roll

What is it? High-quality, glass mineral wool insulation roll (available in four sizes), manufactured from up to 86% recycled glass that would otherwise go to landfill.

What are the key benefits? Lightweight and easy to handle, cut and install, it is one of the most environmentally-sustainable insulation products on the market today.

What are the main applications? Cold roof and loft floors in new build and renovation projects.

3. Knauf Earthwool combi-cut loft insulation

What is it? Flexible, low-density glass mineral wool quilt roll (available in eight sizes).

What are the key benefits? Lightweight, resilient and non-combustible, it provides thermal, acoustic and fire performance. It represents no known threat to the environment with zero ozone depletion and global warming potential.

What are the main applications? Pitched roofs at ceiling level and suspended timber floors.

4. SuperFOIL SF19 Multi-foil insulation

What is it? Multi-layer foil insulation – 19 layers of reflective foil with thermo foam separation layers.

What are the key benefits? Offering great value, it reflects unwanted heat from solar gain in summer and enhances insulation in winter. It has air barrier properties and controls air movement for further energy efficiencies.

What are the main applications? Walls and roof structures in new build and renovation, refurbishment and extension projects.

5. YBS SuperQuilt Multi-layer foil insulation

What is it? Flexible, easy-to-fit, multi-foil insulation offering excellent thermal benefits.

What are the key benefits? It reflects heat back into the building in winter, keeps cold out in summer, plus it is an effective solar over heating barrier, which reduces the need for artificial cooling systems, preventing uncomfortable heat build-up in the roof. Its unique method of stitching reduces cold bridging, strengthening its effectiveness.

What are the main applications? Roofs, walls and floors.

6. Celotex High Performance insulation board

What is it? Multipurpose insulation board (available in a number of sizes and specifications), developed to provide simple solutions for overcoming localised thermal bridges.

What are the key benefits? Designed to eliminate thermal bridges, these boards are easy to cut and shape and include low emissivity foil facings which improve thermal insulation performance within cavity air spaces.

What are the main applications? Roofs, walls and floor systems.

7. Thermofloc loose fill cellulose insulation

What is it? Loose fill premium cellulose-based insulation manufactured from recycled/unmixed newspaper combined with a mineral fire retardant.

What are the key benefits? Sustainable and cost-effective. High thermal performance and also helps with sound reduction.

What are the main applications? Horizontal surfaces, such as lofts or floors.

8. Recticel Eurothane GP PIR rigid insulation board

What is it? A premium PIR insulation with excellent thermal performance.

What are the key benefits? Will not degrade or deteriorate due to moisture, so maintains its thermal performance and is a good choice for underfloor heating insulation.

What are the main applications? Pitched roofs, framed walls and floors. It is also compatible with underfloor heating systems.

9. Sheep’s wool insulation Thermafleece NatraHemp

What is it? Fast-growing, low-impact plant crop which produces fine fibres suitable for insulation.

What are the key benefits? Safe, efficient and durable plant-fibre alternative. Not irritating to the skin, eyes or respiratory tract. Can provide good acoustic insulation in a variety of systems.

What are the main applications? Lofts and warm roofs, timer frame and solid walls, suspended ground floor and between floors.

10. External wall insulation K5 Kooltherm by Kingspan

What is it? Premium performance external insulation for masonry walls with a fibre-free rigid thermoset phenolic core.

What are the key benefits? Easy to handle and install. Suitable for use behind traditional and lightweight polymer modified renders and dry cladding systems.

What are the main applications? Masonry walls.

Further information....

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