Insulation buyer's guide

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.

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With new homes now mandated to comply with specific thermal performance levels, this is an ideal moment to contemplate which insulation type best suits your project.

But which solution is right for you? How can you determine how much insulation you require?

This extensive insulation guide from Insulation Superstore aims to assist you in answering these critical questions and in selecting the most suitable insulation for your upcoming project.

Here’s what we have prepared for you:

Table of Contents:

Types of Insulation

The advantages of insulation are indisputable:

Proper insulation of your property can lead to a significant reduction in heat loss, resulting in lower energy bills.

Though sheep’s wool and glass wool insulation remain popular budget-friendly choices, there is a plethora of options available in the marketplace. Most materials come in loose bags, rolls, and slab formats, which are perfect for insulating various spaces like floors, walls, and lofts.

There exists a diverse array of insulation types available today, including boards, rolls, slabs (often referred to as batt insulation), and even insulated plasterboard. Insulating your home promotes energy efficiency, leading to noticeable savings on heating costs. While cavity walls and lofts are commonly insulated, don’t overlook the benefits of insulating floors, pipes, and sheds.

Insulation Slabs

Insulation slabs are an excellent choice due to their ease of installation and added advantage of being fire-resistant. Brands like ROCKWOOL specialize in thermal insulation slabs suitable for timber frame constructions. Their slabs easily fit on both timber and metal frames, and they offer sound insulation slabs that minimize noise transfer between rooms and from outside.

Loft Rolls

When insulating your loft, one of the most effective methods is utilizing loft rolls. Options like glass wool, mineral wool, and sheep’s wool are ideal for roof spaces as they effectively trap air, enhancing their thermal insulation properties. This ensures your home remains warmer in winter and cooler in summer, while also alleviating condensation issues.

Leading manufacturers such as Isover, ROCKWOOL, and Thermafleece provide these rolls, with acoustic loft rolls available for those seeking to mitigate noise pollution as well.

Multifoil Insulation

A standout product in the insulation market, multifoil insulation consists of a roll made from a combination of sheets, foils, and insulating materials. Its thin profile makes it not only easy to transport and install but also significantly more effective compared to traditional insulation products, addressing radiation, conduction, and convection. Major brands such as SuperFOIL provide multifoil insulation, which is applicable in various areas from roof spaces to cellars and is favored by DIY enthusiasts.

Full Fill Insulation

Cavity walls, widely used in the UK since the 19th century, consist of two leaves separated by an air gap that allows moisture resistance and heat retention. Full fill insulation fills this cavity and has gained traction recently, thanks to the introduction of moisture-resistant insulation products. Full fill insulation must be weatherproof and water-resistant, and our selections of EcoTherm, Isover, and ROCKWOOL full fill insulation products are equipped to meet your needs.

Fire-resistant Insulation

In any project, adherence to building regulations and appropriate fire ratings are crucial. There are two primary types of fire-resistant insulation: non-combustible insulation that retains energy while minimizing fire risk, and fire-resistant boards that create a robust barrier against fire spread. Various additional accessories for insulation support safe fire ratings, such as downlights and pipe collars. Check out our comprehensive Guide to fire-rated insulation for more insights.

Acoustic Insulation & Soundproofing

Acoustic insulation minimizes noise transference between rooms as well as from the outside. This is accomplished by reducing transmission loss levels that hinder sound movement through walls, floors, and ceilings. By installing acoustic insulation, external noise disturbances, such as traffic or car alarms, will hinder your living space less. Room-to-room soundproofing is also achievable with this insulation type.

Foams and underlays can serve to diminish noise impact. Several products today combine acoustic and thermal insulation functionalities, and an acoustic insulation slab is a prime example, specifically suited for pitched roofs and cavity walls. For further details, explore our dedicated guide on the Types of insulation and their applications.

Insulation Materials

Once you determine the areas requiring insulation and the corresponding insulation type needed, turn your attention to selecting the best materials for the task. Insulation can come from various fabrics, each serving distinct purposes.

Wool remains a favored option, primarily in three forms: rock mineral wool, glass mineral wool, and sheep’s wool. All three variants are typically sold in rolls, facilitating easy installation within wall cavities.

If you prefer a rigid option, numerous insulation boards are available. These boards come as sheets and can be customized to your necessary size, minimizing waste. PIR, XPS, and EPS boards are the three primary types of rigid board insulation suitable for walls, ceilings, and floors.

For a deeper look into the various options available, let's examine the specifics.

Insulation Board Materials

Insulation boards come with an easy installation process and an extensive selection of materials and sizes. They provide a rigid insulation system, ensuring a choice of thicknesses befitting your house insulation.

PIR Board

PIR insulation board (polyisocyanurate insulation) is formed by blending materials to create a single rigid foam board. It is celebrated for its efficiency and ease of installation, along with fire resistance, making it ideal for self-build projects. Discover how different products available in the UK market stack up by reviewing our PIR insulation comparison chart.

XPS Board

XPS insulation board (extruded polystyrene insulation) is revered for its moisture-repellency and remarkable strength, making it suitable for floor, ceiling, and flat roof insulation. Its durability also reduces problems associated with mold and dampness, ensuring consistent insulation performance over time. Notably, XPS boards are reusable, contributing to minimized environmental impacts.

EPS Board

EPS insulation board (expanded polystyrene insulation) offers thermally efficient, economical solutions among insulation products on the market. While it isn’t as moisture-resistant as XPS boards, it remains lightweight, user-friendly, and retains insulating properties well over time.

Insulation Roll Materials

Insulation rolls afford ease of installation and perform effectively in wall cavities. Available in three wool types, they rank as one of the industry’s most favored options for home insulation.

Glass Wool

Comprising sand and recycled glass, glass wool is manufactured to resemble wool, featuring numerous air pockets that enhance insulation properties. It also contributes to soundproofing and is considered environmentally friendly due to its recycled composition.

Mineral Wool

Fabricated from melted rock and raw materials spun into fibers, mineral wool effectively provides insulation and fire protection while guarding against noise pollution.

Sheep’s Wool

Admired for its eco-friendliness, sheep's wool serves as an excellent insulation material that is inherently non-flammable and easy to manage. Additionally, its moisture-absorbing properties mean ventilation problems remain minimal.

How Much Insulation Do I Need?

The current building regulations dictate a minimum of 270mm of loft insulation to achieve a required U-value of less than 0.16w/m2k. If your property was built in the last century, it likely has only 75mm or less of loft insulation, which was adequate back then but is now insufficient.

Fortunately:

In many cases, it's feasible to enhance your loft insulation, which carries its own benefits. Naturally, the specifics will depend on your unique insulation needs and budget considerations. However, should you find heating costs rising significantly, topping up insulation could be wise, especially if you’re adept at DIY, as these installations generally incur lower costs.

For further insights on insulation thickness and depth, refer to our dedicated guide. Familiarize yourself, too, with the Approved Document L for England, which offers technical guidance on meeting Part L of the Building Regulations.

Insulation Guide on Understanding Thermal Values

Insulation materials possess two critical values: the R-value and U-value. The R-value indicates a material's efficiency in resisting heat flow—higher R-values denote superior insulation properties. In contrast, U-values convey the quality of materials concerning insulation to builders, architects, and engineers, factoring in conduction, convection, and radiation—widely regarded in the UK as more dependable than R-values.

Calculating U-values involves dividing the temperature differential inside and outside the material by the heat transfer rate. Reduced U-values signify improved thermal retention.

How to Install Insulation

With countless rooms and spaces to insulate, we’ve assembled a series of useful insulation guides to assist you in getting started. Whether you’re contemplating insulating your shed or need assistance with pipe insulation, we have you covered.

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How to Insulate Walls

Regardless of whether internal or external walls need insulation, our guide addresses internal cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, and the best materials to use.

For complete insights, explore our guide to insulating walls.

How to Insulate Floors

If your floor is above unheated areas like garages, insulating it presents many benefits. Our guide discusses various methods for insulating solid, concrete, and suspended floors.

Read our full guide on insulating floors.

How to Insulate a Shed

If you’ve got the DIY skills, insulating a shed is easily achievable at minimal cost, transforming it into a practical outbuilding.

Consult our comprehensive guide on insulating a shed.

How to Insulate a Summer House

Insulating a summer house can engage a few different strategies as long as you have the proper materials and skills. This enhancement allows for year-round use.

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

How to Insulate a Loft

Deciding how to utilize your loft, whether as extra living space or storage, influences the materials best suited for insulation. Our guide provides useful considerations for roof space insulation.

How to Insulate a Van

A project not initially considered for insulation but quite effective, this adds a cozy touch to camper vans. While geared towards experienced builders, our guide details the materials best for use and installation.

How to Insulate a Flat Roof

Learn how to insulate a flat roof, including which materials are effective and when to undertake the task in our informative guide.

How to Insulate a Garage

Converting your garage into livable space calls for proper insulation. Our Help & Advice article covers what you need to factor into this project.

How to Insulate Pipes

This simple yet often-ignored task has gained traction as energy efficiency becomes increasingly important. From preventing pipe freezes to foam pipe insulation installation tips, there's much to learn in our pipes insulation guide.

How to Insulate a Balcony

Often overlooked, balcony insulation is fundamental to sustaining a building’s thermal envelope. For insights on suitable products and best installation practices, access our Insulating a Balcony guide.

Getting the Best Insulation for Your Needs

As energy costs have surged amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, insulating our homes has become an urgent priority.

With a vast range of insulation types and materials available, finding the ideal one for your home can feel overwhelming.

Fortunately:

Help and guidance abound at Insulation Superstore! We hope our insulation guide has illuminated the myriad options available for you.

For additional assistance in selecting the right insulation type, engage with our live chat or contact our support team at 692 206.

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