Whatever type of property you&#;re working on, it&#;s important to think about how you&#;re going to keep it warm all year round.

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

And with all new homes now required to meet specific levels of thermal performance, there&#;s never been a better time to consider which insulation type is most suited to your project.

But what solution is right for me? And how do I figure out how much insulation I need?

To help you answer these vital questions and find the best insulation for your next project, at Insulation Superstore we put together this comprehensive insulation guide.

Here&#;s what we have in store for you

Table of contents:

Types of insulation

The benefits of insulation are undeniable:

Effectively insulating your property can significantly reduce heat loss and save you money on energy bills.

While sheep&#;s wool and glass wool insulation remain popular cost-friendly options, you&#;ll find an abundance of choices on the market. Most materials are available in loose bags, rolls and slabs, which are perfect for insulating floors, walls and loft spaces.

Now:

There are many different types of insulation available on the market including boards, rolls, slabs (also known as batt insulation) and even insulated plasterboard. Insulating your home ensures it&#;s energy-efficient, and you&#;ll notice a reduction in heating bills too. While cavity walls and lofts tend to be the most popular spaces to insulate, floors, pipes and sheds can all benefit from insulation too.

Insulation slabs

Insulation slabs are a solid choice as they&#;re easy to install and have the added benefit of being fire-resistant. ROCKWOOL is a renowned brand, specialising in thermal insulation slabs for timber frame constructions.

Its slabs are known to fit with ease on both timber and metal frames too. They also have a selection of sound insulation slabs which reduce noise transfer both between rooms and from outside your home.

 

 

Loft rolls

When it comes to insulating your loft, one of the most effective methods is using loft roll. Glass wool, mineral wool and sheep&#;s wool are all great choices for roof spaces as they trap air which gives them their thermal insulating properties.

This will make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, while also reducing any problems you may have with condensation.

Loft roll is available from leading brands, including; Isover, ROCKWOOL and Thermafleece. An acoustic loft roll is also an option if you&#;d like to reduce noise impact or protect your home from loud outdoor sounds.

 

 

Multifoil insulation

One of the most iconic insulation products on the market, multifoil insulation is a foil roll made up of a combination of sheets, foils and insulating materials. It&#;s one of the thinnest insulation products available and is easy to transport, handle and install.

It&#;s also understood to be much more effective than more traditional insulation products as it focuses on radiation, conduction and convection. You&#;ll find more traditional insulation only takes into account conduction and convection.

Multifoil insulation from leading brands like SuperFOIL can be used almost anywhere, from roof spaces to cellars, and is extremely popular with keen DIYers. It&#;s easy to install and has a long lifespan of over 50 years, making it perfect for self-build projects.

Full fill insulation

Cavity walls are one of the most popular wall constructions in Britain and have been used since the s. They comprise two leaves separated by a clear cavity, which helps to resist moisture penetration and heat loss. Full fill insulation fills this cavity and has seen a surge in popularity as manufacturers began to produce moisture-resistant insulation for filling cavity walls. 

Full fill cavity insulation needs to be both weatherproof and water-resistant to protect against the elements. Our range of EcoTherm, Isover and ROCKWOOL full fill insulation products will have you covered. You can find out more about this type in our Cavity wall insulation buyer&#;s guide.

Fire-resistant insulation

Adhering to building regulations and having the correct fire ratings in place is essential to any project. There are two types of fire-resistant insulation; non-combustible insulation, which retains energy while reducing the risk of fire, and fire-resistant boards, which create a solid barrier to prevent the spread of fire.

There are also several additional accessories on the insulation market to help you achieve a safe fire rating, such as downlights and pipe collars. To find out more, check out our comprehensive Guide to fire-rated insulation.

Acoustic insulation & soundproofing

Acoustic insulation reduces both noise transference between rooms and sounds from travelling from outside to inside (and vice versa). It works by reducing the levels of transmission loss, preventing sound from passing through walls, floors and ceilings.

Installing acoustic insulation means you&#;ll see a reduction in external noise pollution, such as car alarms and traffic, while you can make sure noisy films don&#;t disturb the children&#;s bedrooms by installing room-to-room soundproofing.

Underlay and foam can all be used to reduce noise impact. Several products on the market combine soundproofing and thermal insulation. An acoustic insulation slab is a good example of this, although it&#;s only suitable for pitched roofs and cavity walls.

Head over to our dedicated guide on the Types of insulation and their uses to find out more.

Insulation materials

Once you&#;ve identified the spaces you need to insulate and the type of insulation required, it&#;s time to think about the best materials for the job. Insulation can be made up of a variety of fabrics and each serves a slightly different purpose.

Wool is a popular choice, and there are three main types of wool insulation: rock mineral wool, glass mineral wool and sheep&#;s wool. These are all available in rolls so they&#;re simple to install and fit easily into wall cavities.

The good news is:

If you prefer to work with a more rigid material, you&#;ll find many insulation boards on the market. These are sold as sheets and can be cut to the size you require, so there should be little waste. PIR boards, XPS boards and EPS boards form the three main types of rigid board insulation, all of which are suitable for insulating walls, ceilings and floors.

Having said that, let&#;s take a closer look at the various options available to you.

Insulation board materials

Insulation boards are easy to install and come in a wide range of materials and sizes. They offer a rigid insulation system and there is a vast choice of thicknesses available. So, you can be sure you&#;ll find the most suitable house insulation.

PIR board

PIR insulation board (polyisocyanurate insulation) is created by blending materials to make a single board of rigid foam. It&#;s the most popular form of insulation and is considered one of the most efficient on the market.

In addition, it&#;s easy to install, benefits from a long lifespan and is fire resistant. These three qualities make it good insulation to use if you&#;re embarking on a self-build project.

Find out how the different solutions available on the UK market compare with the help of our PIR insulation comparison chart.

XPS board

XPS insulation board (extruded polystyrene insulation) is water-repellent and renowned for its extreme strength. This makes it a good choice for insulating floors, ceilings and flat roofs.

Its moisture resistance means you&#;re less likely to encounter problems with mould and damp, while its long-term durability means its insulation properties won&#;t deteriorate over time. It&#;s also worth noting that XPS boards can be reused, reducing their environmental impact.

 

EPS board

EPS insulation board (expanded polystyrene insulation) is thermally efficient and one of the cheapest insulation products on the market.

Unlike XPS boards, water can penetrate it but it&#;s still an effective insulator. It&#;s lightweight, quick and easy to install, and like XPS boards its insulating properties do not deteriorate over time.

 

 

Insulation roll materials

Insulation rolls are easy to install and work especially well in wall cavities. Available in three different types of wool, they&#;re one of the most commonly used forms of home insulation in the industry.

Glass wool

Glass wool is made from a combination of sand and recycled glass. It&#;s manufactured to look like wool and is filled with numerous air pockets, giving it good insulation properties.

It can also help with soundproofing and is often credited for being environmentally friendly, as it&#;s manufactured from recycled glass which otherwise would end up in a landfill.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is crafted from rock and raw materials that are melted down and spun into fibres.

In fact, this is what gives it the appearance of wool. It protects against fire and does a good job of insulating your home from both weather and noise pollution.

Torn between glass wool and mineral wool? Our handy guide will help you make up your mind.

Sheep&#;s wool

One of the most popular insulation materials is sheep&#;s wool. It&#;s environmentally friendly and doesn&#;t burn, making it a safe option to use in the home.

To make things even better, sheep&#;s wool is also extremely easy to work with and absorbs water. So, you don&#;t have to worry about ventilation issues.

How much insulation do I need?

Current building regulations stipulate the need for at least 270mm of loft insulation to meet the required U-value of less than 0.16w/m2k. If your home was built in the s you might find it has around 75mm or less of insulation in the loft. This was considered to be enough at the time but is now below what we would expect to install today.

No need to worry, though:

Topping up your loft insulation is possible in many cases and comes with benefits. Naturally, it will depend on your insulation needs. And if you do find you need a top-up, your budget will be on the brain. 

Still, if you find you&#;re spending a lot on heating bills, it could be beneficial to invest in a top-up. If you&#;re keen on DIY and can do the job yourself, the installation costs will be much lower and it&#;s worth considering.

You can find out more about the thickness and depth of insulation in our dedicated guide. In addition, it&#;s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the content of Approved Document L &#; England, which offers technical guidance on meeting the requirements outlined in Part L of the Building Regulations .

Insulation guide on understanding thermal values

Insulation materials have two values, an R-value and a U-value. An R-value tells you how good a material is at resisting the flow of heat. A material that resists the flow of heat well is a good insulator and receives a high R-value. When it comes to insulating a building, the higher the R-value, the better the material is at insulating the property.

Read more on R-values and how they can be affected in our R-values guide.

Next:

In the construction industry, a U-value is used to tell builders, architects and engineers how good a material is at insulating. In the UK it&#;s widely believed that U-values are more accurate than R-values. This is because they take into account conduction, convection and radiation too.

To calculate the U-value of a material you divide the temperature difference inside and outside the material by the rate of heat transfer. As U-values work out how much heat has escaped, the lower the U-value the better.

Find out more information on U-values and how to calculate them.

How to install insulation

With so many rooms and spaces available to insulate, we&#;ve put together a series of handy insulation guide articles to help get you started. Whether you&#;re thinking about insulating your shed or you have some pipes requiring insulation, we&#;ve got you covered.

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How to insulate walls

Whether it&#;s an internal or external wall that needs insulating, our handy guide will talk you through internal cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation and even which materials are best for the job.

Read our complete guide to insulating walls.

How to insulate floors

If you&#;ve got a floor above a cold space, such as a garage, there are many benefits to insulating it. Our guide covers insulating solid floors, concrete floors and suspended floors.

Read our complete guide to insulating floors.

How to insulate a shed

If you&#;re a DIY pro, insulating a shed is definitely something you can do yourself. It&#;s inexpensive and can transform your shed into a usable outbuilding.

Read our complete guide to insulating a shed.

How to insulate a summer house

There are a few different ways you can go about insulating a summer house so long as you have the right materials and know-how. It&#;s a great way to transform it from a seasonal to a year-round outbuilding.

Read our step-by-step guide on insulating a summer house.

How to insulate a loft

From deciding whether to use your loft for extra living space, to deciding on which materials are best for insulating your loft, our handy guide will give you food for thought when it comes to embarking on roof space insulation.

How to insulate a van

Not the first space you might think of insulating, it&#;s actually an inexpensive way to create a more cosy atmosphere for campervans. It&#;s not a project for DIY novices, but if you&#;re a pro at self-builds our guide runs through the best materials to use and how to fit them.

How to insulate a flat roof

Find out how to insulate a flat roof, including which insulation to use and when it&#;s best to tackle the job, in our insightful guide.

How to insulate a garage

If you&#;re converting your garage into additional living space, it&#;s a good idea to ensure it&#;s insulated. From cavity wall insulation to breeze block insulation, our Help & Advice article runs through everything you&#;ll need to consider in this project.

How to insulate pipes

This simple job was once forgotten about but has seen a resurgence thanks to our increased focus on reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. From preventing pipe freezes to talking you through how to install foam pipe insulation, there is plenty to learn from our insulating pipes H&A article.

How to insulate a balcony

One that often gets overlooked, insulating a balcony is important for a building&#;s thermal envelope. Read our Insulating a balcony guide and find out which products are suitable and what the best practice is when it comes to installing balcony insulation.

Getting the best insulation for your needs

As energy prices have soared in recent years amidst a worsening cost of living crisis, insulating our homes has become an urgent matter.

But with so many different types of insulation and materials available on the market, getting the right one for your home can be quite tricky, to say the least.

The good news is:

There&#;s plenty of help and advice you can avail of at Insulation Superstore! We hope our insulation guide has given you a clearer idea of the multiple options open to you.

If you would like more help choosing the right insulation type, you can open the live chat or give our support team a call on 692 206. 

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Roof insulation can cost you money, but it can also protect your home from heat loss, extreme temperatures, wind and more. Adding a layer of insulation to your roof or lofts can definitely save you money in the long run.

For roof insulation, you have many options to choose from, including cellulose, fibreglass, foam insulation boards, foil insulation etc. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of each of these roof-insulating materials to help you pick the right fit for your home.

The type of roof insulation you choose depends heavily on the type of roof you have. Primarily in the UK, roofs can be either flat or pitched.

Pitched roof:

If you have a pitched roof, you can either opt for cold-pitched roof insulation, or warm-pitched roof insulation, depending on how you wish to use the loft space. Let&#;s discuss these in detail:

Cold-pitched roof Insulation:

It is also referred to as loft insulation. Loft insulation rolls like Knauf loft 44 or Superglass multi-roll 44 are easy-to-install insulation a roll. These insulation products are simply laid between and over the ceiling joists. Fibreglass loft insulation needs to be about 270&#;300mm thick, to effectively reduce heat loss according to the building regulations.

Insulation on a roll is very easy to install and quite cheap compared to insulation boards, foil insulation, etc. The money spent on these loft rolls can be easily recouped in a couple of months.

You can buy loft insulation online or through local insulation suppliers or retailers. There are several loft insulation grants made available through the government. It is estimated that you lose nearly 15&#;20% of heated air through an uninsulated loft, which can be easily prevented using these fibreglass loft rolls.

Loft insulation rolls block heat or energy from escaping your living room, but do not keep your roof warm. That is, your loft spaces can get chilly in the winter and hot in the summer.

Warm-Pitched roof insulation:

If you want to use your loft as an office or as an extra bedroom, then warm roof insulation is the way to go. In this case, the insulation is placed in between, over or under the roof rafters.

For warm roof insulation, you can use mineral wool insulation batts like RWA45, Knauf Rocksilk RS45, PIR boards, foil insulation rolls and others. Warm roof insulation will keep your roofs warm, comfortable and cosy. Just ensure you have adequate ventilation in place.

Flat Roof Insulation:

If your roofs have a pitch of fewer than 10 degrees, they are considered flat roofs. Much like pitched roof insulation, insulating a flat roof also brings in many benefits, like reduced heat loss, lower energy bills and cosy, comfortable home.

Flat roofs can again be insulated based on your requirement;

Cold flat roof insulation:

For cold flat roof insulation, insulation materials are placed beneath or between the timber rafters. This is quite an outdated method of insulating flat roofs, as it usually leads to condensation issues when proper ventilation is not in place.

Cold flat roofs can be insulated using rigid insulation boards like PIR, or loft insulation rolls, which are easy to carry and install between timber rafters. However, a vapour barrier is a must to keep condensation and other moisture-related issues away.

Warm Flat roof Insulation:

Insulation boards like PIR or extruded polystyrene insulation boards are an ideal choice for flat roof insulation. They give good thermal insulation and are moisture-resistant insulation boards.

Warm roof insulation is when you place an insulating material above timber rafters. This is not a DIY job, better left to professional insulation installers. Installing warm flat roof insulation has several advantages. It prevents dampness and rot by allowing moisture to escape and is regarded as the best roof solution in the UK.

Common roof insulation materials include:

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose roofing insulation is a great choice for a variety of reasons. Not only does it help improve the quality of indoor air in your home, but it can also protect you from fire hazards. It is environmentally friendly as it is made from recycled materials.

Cellulose insulation is usually manufactured by hammer-milling waste newspaper and is treated with chemicals to prevent the spread of fire. Cellulose roofing insulation is its ability to soundproof. This material is three times denser than fibreglass, which helps reduce the sound travelling through different rooms in a home.

A disadvantage of cellulose roofing insulation is its short lifespan. Cellulose will need to be replaced within 20 to 30 years after installation. It is also not waterproof, so water damage can damage the material and reduce its K-value.

Fibreglass Insulation:

Fibreglass insulation on a roll is one of the cheapest and easy-to-install roof insulation materials. As discussed above, it can be used for cold roof insulation in both flat and pitched roofs.

Fibreglass insulation rolls are lightweight, easy to handle, and have a low K-value per square meter. Glass mineral wool insulation is made of very fine glass fibres, which are made with recycled glass. It is environment

ally friendly insulation on a roll.

These high-density fibreglass rolls also give superior acoustic insulation and fire resistance. Fibreglass insulation is a smart choice for homes in humid climates as it does not absorb water and is hence, resistant to mould and vermin growth.

The major disadvantage of fibreglass insulation is that its tiny glass fibres could come loose during installation or when insulation is disturbed. Fibreglass insulation is known to cause skin irritation and infections in the respiratory tract. Also, if this insulation on a roll becomes wet, their K-vale gets affected resulting in lower thermal efficiency.

Mineral Wool Insulation Batts:

Mineral wool batt insulation can be used between roof rafters for warm roof insulation. At Buy Insulation Online, we store premium insulation batts like RWA45, Rocksilk RS45 and more, which have a lower K-value. Not only that, since they are made of high-density mineral wool, they also give superior sound insulation.

Mineral wool insulation batts are about mm in length and 600mm wide. They come in various thicknesses ranging from 25mm to about 200mm, perfect for any roof insulation application.

Insulation slabs are resistant to moisture and hence do not support mould growth. These friction-fitting insulation slabs fit perfectly between roof rafters, leaving no gap in the application. They reduce energy bills and keep your roofs warm and cosy.

The main disadvantage of batt insulation is that they are thicker compared to insulation boards and hence takes much space. Also, since they are not waterproof, if they get wet, much like fibreglass insulation rolls, their thermal efficiency decreases.

PIR Insulation Boards:

PIR insulation board is a versatile roof-insulating option. It can be used to insulate pitched and flat roofs. PIR is made of polyisocyanurate and has a K-value as low as 0.022 W/mK, which means it is the most effective in restricting heat loss among other insulation materials.

PIR insulation boards also have low-emissivity foil-facings on either side which reflect radiant heat and also act as a moisture barrier. A standard PIR insulation board is about 2.4m long and 1.2m wide. They are also available in thicknesses ranging from 25mm to about 200mm.

ot just roof insulation, PIR boards are also a popular choice for wall insulation, floor insulation, cavity walls and more. They can be used in retrofit and new builds alike. They comply with building regulations and help you achieve low U-values in any application. At Buy Insulation Online, we stock Celotex PIR boards, Iko and Xtratherm brands.

PIR insulation boards, however, do not offer much in terms of fire insulation. The installation process can get messy with dust and waste.

Extruded Polystyrene:

Extruded polystyrene boards are best used for floor insulation applications, however, they are also perfect for flat roof insulation. These insulation boards have a low K-value and high compressive strength. They are not affected by moisture easily. They are cheap compared to PIR insulation boards and are lightweight.

Much like PIR insulation boards, extruded polystyrene also does not give much fire insulation. They have a Euroclass rating of E or F.

Insulated plasterboard:

Insulated plasterboards can be used to insulate flat roofs, on warm roof applications. At Buy Insulation Online, we stock PIR insulated plasterboards like Celotex PL, Xtratherm Thermal Liner and Polystyrene insulated plasterboards like Knauf XPS Thermal laminate and EPS thermal laminate.

These insulated plasterboards save space and effectively reduce heat loss through roofs. They are, however, expensive compared to extruded polystyrene.

Foil Insulation:

Foil insulation rolls can be used below, over or in between rafters. They are thin, lightweight insulation on a roll made of aluminium foil. Foil rolls work differently compared to wool insulation or insulation boards, by reflecting radiant heat to the source.

Foil insulation not only maintains a warm cosy loft space in winter but also helps keep cool in summer. These insulation rolls help you achieve your desired U-values easily.

At Buy Insulation Online, we stock Actis hybris foil insulation panels, which can be used for insulation between rafters. Other than these, we also stock foil insulation rolls from YBS Super quilt and Superfoil, which can be used to insulate both pitched and flat roofs. Foil insulation rolls are quite expensive compared to other forms of insulation.

Phenolic foam

Phenolic foam roof insulation was developed in the early 80s in response to the energy crisis and regulations requiring lower K-values for roof insulation. It was designed to provide greater insulation efficiency and fire resistance without requiring complete re-roofing. In addition to being an excellent insulator, phenolic foam is also resistant to fire. Its fire rating of Euroclass B makes it suitable for use on newbuild and ventilated roofs.

The product was a great success in the short term. The main issue with phenolic foam roof insulation is that it shrinks significantly after curing, sometimes up to 2 percent. This can result in significant air leakage and heat transfer. Because of this, phenolic foam insulation may need to be reapplied after the initial material has been set.

In Conclusion:

Without proper roof or loft insulation, you can lose as much as 20&#;25% of heat, something none of us can afford, given the steep rise in energy prices and the energy crisis. By insulating roofs and lofts, you not only save energy and improve the EPC ratings of your home but also help the UK achieve its carbon neutrality goal, in a small way.

For premium loft insulation on a roll, insulation boards and foil insulation products, visit Buy Insulation Online. We also specialise in technical insulation products like pipe lagging, ductwrap, duct insulation boards, valve insulation jackets and so on. With every order, we place a tree in your name for free and also protect five trees in the amazon.

For more information, please visit Phenolic Insulation Board.