Collection: All Insulation

What Is Insulation?

Insulation is a process to keep sound, electricity and heat from spreading. A material specially designed to prevent the transmission of heat or sound from one space to other is known as insulation material. The ultimate purpose of insulation is to create a barrier around the building which helps in reduction of the amount of heating needed on a cold day or vice versa. All year round you can keep the desired temperature in your house by the help of insulation.

How does insulation work?

You will need to understand heat flow if you want to understand how insulation works. Heat is transmitted in three different way like convection, conduction, and radiation. Thermal insulation works by restricting the movement of heat in any form providing a much more comfortable place to live in.

The combination of these two characteristics plays a main role in the quality of insulation

• The natural capacity of insulation material to inhibit the transmission of heat.
• Natural insulants which are trapped inside the pockets of insulation material.

What is R-Value?

R-value is the measure of resistance to heat flow in a material means the level of heat transfer from warm space to colder space. A material will work more effectively when the R-value of the material is higher. R-value is calculated by dividing the thickness of the material by its thermal conductivity. Therefore, the unit of R-value is m2K/W.

R-values are also the reciprocal of the U-values means the higher the R-value of the material the lower will be the U-value of the material.

R-value is affected by

• The type of insulation
• Density of the material
• Thickness of the material
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What is U-value?

U-value is also known as thermal transmittance. U-value is used to measure the efficiency of the insulation material in the construction. The lower the U-value of the material the slower the heat will transmit through the material.

U-value is a combination of all materials used in the construction including timber, foil tape, membranes etc 

Building regulation has set some standards in part L of the approved document which is mandatory to be achieved while carrying out building work.

What are the types of insulation?

Thermal insulation

Thermal insulation prevents or reduce heat loss and reduces the amount of money and gas and electricity we use to do this. With ever-rising energy costs if the house is properly insulated it can save up to 2/3 of the energy required.

Acoustic insulation

The sound that causes trouble to others is nothing but undesirable an unaccepted sound. Acoustic insulation is also known as sound insulation or soundproof insulation. The purpose of acoustic insulation is to block or decrease the intensity of soundwaves transmitting from outside the house to inside or vice versa.

Fire-resistant insulation

Fire-resistant insulation material slows the spread of fire and protects the building. Fire-resistant insulation material is specially designed to resist high temperature and ensure no toxic smoke is released if it does come in contact with flames.

Fire resistance insulation materials are classified in various ratings as follows

A1- non-combustible

A2- limited combustible

B-F - Low- high contribution to fire.

Insulation materials can be categorized based on various factors like its composition, form, and structural contribution.

The cavity closer acts as a seal, preventing external water vapour and damp from entering the cavity wall and the building, whilst also preventing heat from being lost through the gap. Cavity closers can be used in a range of different constructions, including masonry, timber frame and steel frame systems.

Another thing you may wish to consider when looking to reduce your heating bills is to use efficient doors and windows. A customer reported big improvements in their heating costs by installing a upvc door in their kitchen. There is no point in insulating your house if you let your heating escape straight into the garden and out onto the decking! It is definitely one to add to the list.

Why ventilation is important?

Ventilation plays a vital role when it comes to insulating a space. Ventilation helps to remove harmful substances from the air inside the building also eradicates moisture and provides fresh air inside the house.

A poorly ventilated house can have serious health consequences like fatigue, headaches, sinus congestion, dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea. On the other hand, it can also damage the walls and fabric of the house with condensation and mould especially in high moisture areas like the bathroom.

What is the importance of insulation?

• Insulation reduces heating cost
• Control condensation
• Improves thermal comfort
• Reduces the amount of noise
• Increases fire-resistant of your house
• Increases the value of the property
• Increases comfort
• Protection against fire

Installing loft insulation

Loft insulation is the easiest way to improve comfort and save money in your home.

A well-insulated loft can reduce heat loss through the roof. That means you'll have a cosier home which will reduce your heating costs.

Choosing loft insulation

There are different types of loft insulation and they vary in cost and performance. So choose the one which best suits your needs.

The insulation typically comes in rolls or slabs which are pre-cut at common widths. Popular brands include Isover and Knauf.

For more information on choosing loft insulation, see our loft insulation page. We also sell a huge range of roofing products such as roofing membranes and roofing tiles on our sister site Build4less.

DIY Loft Insulation

Many people choose to install loft insulation themselves, as it works out much cheaper and is an easy job for most people. (Be warned - installing loft insulation is a messy job and you should definitely wear a mask, goggles and gloves!)

The first step is to measure your loft. You can then work out how much material you need (see our guide on measuring).

You might also consider boarding your loft at the same time, it's a smart way to add extra storage for your tools and household accessories.

Just be careful of electric cables. Electric cables are generally fine to cover with insulation, but you should consult with an electrician to be sure.  

For more detailed information see our diy loft insulation page.

Cavity wall insulation

Cavity wall insulation is an effective way to reduce the amount of heat that escapes from your home. It's also one of the most popular insulation retrofit options.

All new builds must insulate their cavity walls to meet building regulations.

New builds typically use pir insulation or another similar insulation board to insulate because you have access to the cavity while building. This offers the best performance for the cost.

For an existing home, the installation involves using a spray type insulation such as beads or a foam which can be pumped into the wall. This is a technical process and the user needs to be well trained and used to the process in order to get the best results.

For our full range of cavity wall insulation options for new builds, click here.