What is the Best Insulation for your project?
With rising costs associated with heating our homes, energy performance rating changes for landlords, and purchasers being more careful when it comes to energy efficiency when buying new properties, choosing the best insulation for your project has never been more important.
Whether you are considering upgrading your existing insulation or are creating a new structure such as a garden office or extension, selecting the best materials will ensure that you get a finished project that will retain heat when needed, keep rooms cool in warmer weather, and potentially form a barrier to stop sound transference to other rooms or adjoining properties.
Which insulation materials to use for your project will depend on several factors, including the area you want to insulate and existing structure of the build.
With that in mind, we explore the best types of insulation for a wide range of applications.
Rigid Insulation
Rigid insulation refers to larger pre-formed panels or boards which are designed to increase thermal performance.
Available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses. The most common size being 1200mm x 2400mm, but sizes come from 450mm. Thickness can start from 40mm and up to 150mm. The benefit of using rigid insulation boards is that they are versatile and can be applied almost anywhere in the home where insulation is needed. They are commonly used to ensure that spaces such as walls or beneath rafters are fully covered.
A great option is Eco-Versal insulation boards, which are made from rigid polyisocyanurate foam with aluminum foil composite on both sides , which provides excellent thermal qualities, and is ideal for using on pitched roofs, ceilings, floors and inside walls.
Many rigid insulation boards consist of a polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam core, a highly durable, moisture-resistant and safety compliant solution.
Loft roll
A popular choice found in most domestic attics, loft roll, is a flexible option for insulating lofts. Modern domestic insulation tends to be made from mineral wool which is a lightweight and easy to install option.
As loft roll is easy to manoeuvre and requires few tools, it's an ideal way for DIY novices to ensure that their loft is insulated. Loft roll also has the advantage of helping to ensure acoustic insulation, meaning that sound is reduced between floors.
Rockwool thermal insulation roll offers key benefits including keeping your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer months and is non-combustible.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Around one-third of the heat lost in uninsulated homes is drawn out through the walls. By ensuring that your walls are properly insulated, you can help to retain heat and save money on energy costs. Most newer homes built after 1990 will already have cavity wall insulation installed during construction.
However, some older homes built between 1920 – 1990 may not have cavity walls. If you’re unsure whether your home has a cavity wall, it’s best to consult with a local expert who can check behind the brickwork.
In addition to cavity wall insulation, you may wish to install sound insulation to stop noise travelling between rooms within your home or between neighboring properties.
The Isover Cavity Wall Slab is an ideal solution helping to reduce heat loss within a building The slabs are available in a range of sizes from 50x 455 x 1200mm to 150 x 455 x 1200mm with several options in-between.
Foil Insulation
Foil insulation is made up of layers of foil and insulation materials, offering an excellent solution for a variety of applications, whether in domestic homes, outbuildings or even caravans and boats.
Available in both roll and panel form, the beauty of foil insulation is that it traps heat between insulation layers while also having reflective qualities that allow it to also "bounce off heat", meaning it can help keep a space cool when it's warmer too.
Like loft roll, many foil insulation solutions are lightweight and easy to fit, making them the perfect choice for self-builds and DIY projects.
Expanded Polystyrene
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation is sold as a board and is one of the most cost-effective ways to insulation your home.
The manufacturing method is to use a mould that contains small foam beads. Heat or steam is then applied, fusing the beads together to create the board.
Lightweight and durable, EPS can be an excellent, money saving solution for insulation across a variety of places where heat may escape. The material is also a known acoustic barrier, meaning that your room will also be well insulated against noise travel.
While EPS is an affordable solution, is has relatively low insulating properties when compared to rigid boards or loft roll.
Whatever your insulation needs, Alsford has a wealth of easy to apply solutions, so take a look now at our range of insulation products.