You're probably already aware that insulating your home or property is a good idea if you want to make your property warmer and keep heating costs down. Insulation will help you keep the desired temperature on your property protecting it against cold in winter and excess heat in summer. Using less heating is also wonderful for the environment.
But what types of insulation should you be using? We’ve summarised some of the most common types of insulation materials to help you choose the best insulation for your next property project.
Blanket insulation
The most common and widely available type of insulation usually comes in batts or rolls of foil-backed felt, rock, glass, or mineral fibre. The material normally used is glass wool made from recycled bottles, which gives a good environmental rating. Glass wool insulation is one of the easiest materials to install and is the most cost-effective. If installed properly, it is very energy efficient. Some studies have shown blanket insulation can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a home by as much as 50%.
Rock mineral wool insulation
Rock mineral wool insulation is extracted from rocks, making it a more solid material and an environmentally friendly alternative to glass wool. As a result, it is suitable for situations where the material may be compressed. Mineral wool is available in rolls and comes in varying thicknesses and widths. Rock Mineral Wool has a melting temperature of over 1,000ºC and reduces heat transfer. It is a very effective fire safety measure as it is resilient to heat and fire.
Sheet loft, insulation
Sheet loft insulation is designed for insulating the sloping side of the roof inside a loft. This type of insulation can be more expensive and is energy-intensive to manufacture, but it has a high insulation value. Sheet insulation works well in a loft conversion, as it is a good alternative to insulating the floor. Green attic insulation materials include cork, straw, and planks.
Loose-fill insulation
Loose-fill insulation is made up of tiny particles of fibre, foam, or other materials. These tiny particles combine to form a substance that can adhere to any space without disturbing structures. The most popular material for Loose-fill insulation is cellulose, fibreglass, and mineral rock wool which are all made from recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fibreglass products contain 40% to 60% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content.
Sprayed foam insulation
Sprayed foam insulation, also known as expanding foam is a simple and quick way of insulating. It is sprayed directly onto the surface that has to be treated. A foaming agent is used to install sprayed-in foam, which will expand and become solid as the mixture cures. It provides an efficient thermal and noise insulating layer once it is set. The slowly curing foam will flow around any obstacles in the wall cavity, seal all corners, and seamlessly connect to pipes and irregularities before hardening.
Sheep’s wool insulation
This type of insulation has the advantage of being 'sustainable' and it is a good substitute for synthetic types of insulation. It is natural insulation made from real sheep's wool that naturally regulates humidity levels in the home. It can be used to insulate between roof beams, under floors, and in solid walls. Sheep’s wool is an efficient insulator and offers an alternative to more synthetic types of insulation. Wool insulation can last over fifty years and is also treated against fire and to be resistant to insects.
Rigid foam insulation
Rigid foam is a type of insulation commonly used in walls, floors, and ceilings where weight requires support. Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist heat flow. They are rigid and durable, as well as providing acoustic insulation by reducing the amount of sound that travels through walls or elevated floors, such as in flats, etc.
Structural insulated panels
Structural insulated panels are structural panels that can be used in walls, roofs, and floors. They offer excellent insulation in comparison with traditional methods. SIPs provide an extremely durable, solid, thermally efficient, and energy-efficient building material. It is possible to save up to 50% on your energy bills.
Conclusion
After reading through each of the insulation types mentioned above, you should be able to weigh up the pros and cons of each material. However, we would always recommend that you seek the advice of a specialist before determining the right material for your project.
It's worth also noting that several other less widely used natural materials might be suitable for your next project.
If you'd like any further information or resources or have some insights on this topic please leave a comment below.
**Nurtured Properties is a sustainable property investment business. We nurture properties back to life by focusing on environmentally sustainable refurbishment techniques and practices. We use recycled products and materials, source locally where possible, and improve the energy efficiency of the properties we purchase.
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