BEST INSULATION FOR UK HOMES
It is widely known that houses in the UK are generally not well-insulated, and their thermal efficiency leaves much to be desired. However, this doesn't mean it cannot be improved. There are many ways to enhance the thermal insulation of homes in the UK. The simplest method is to purchase and install the best thermal insulation.
So, what is it?
The best insulation for UK homes will be an insulation material produced exclusively in the UK with a high R-value above 4.5m²K/W, thermal conductivity not exceeding 0.025W/mK, and a high compressive strength above 120kPa. The best insulation for homes should provide the lowest U-value, enabling the installation of the thinnest thermal product such 15mm.
The best insulation for UK homes should not only exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties but also stand out for ease of transport, cutting, processing, and ultimately installation.
The best insulation for UK homes should be lightweight and versatile, meaning its application should cover use in floors, walls, ceilings, lofts, and roofs.
The best insulation for UK homes should always be synonymous with the word "warmest," and fortunately, there are products in the UK that can confidently be given this label.
BEST INSULATION FOR HOMES - MOST EFFECTIVE INSULATION
The best insulation for UK homes must be inherently the most effective, particularly considering the limited space within our houses. Given the scarcity of space, where every square metre comes at a significant cost, it is advisable to use the most effective insulation for warming UK homes. This type of insulation ensures the thinnest application, minimising the space it occupies.
As of today, the most effective thermal insulation includes Phenolic and PIR rigid boards. Phenolic boards provide a thermal conductivity level of 0.018W/mK, while the competitive and well-known PIR boards offer 0.022W/mK. Phenolic boards are often associated with companies like Unilin and Kingspan, whereas PIR boards are linked to Celotex and Recticel.
These two categories of insulation, phenolic and PIR, are currently the most effective, offering the best U-values for their thickness. While innovative products such as Aerogel are emerging in the market, there is still much to explore in the realm of insulation technologies.
BEST INSULATION FOR HOMES - THE WARMEST INSULATION
The warmest insulation is the one that provides the highest level of heat retention while, at the same time, doesn't feel cold to the touch. The warmest insulation is also the one that, in addition to heat accumulation, can reflect it back to the source.
Therefore, the warmest insulation is mentioned earlier PIR board with aluminium foil on both sides. Rock wool is just as effective as PIR insulation also having aluminium foil on both sides.
BEST INSULATION FOR HOMES - INSULATION FOR COLD WALLS
Cold walls in UK homes are a common issue, often due to wall thickness or frequent rain. This problem is particularly prevalent in basement walls, exposed to weather conditions like snow and rain. Failing to insulate them can lead to future problems.
For insulating cold walls, it's crucial to choose a nearly waterproof material, explicitly marked for use below the DPC level in the product's PDF datasheet. One effective choice is Extruded Polystyrene (XPS), known for its resistance to water and high compressive strength (>300kPA), even though it may not have thermal properties (0.033 W/mK) as good as PIR or Phenolic board.
In comparison, XPS boards are 4 times tougher, closed-cell structured, and available in the common thicknesses of 30mm, 50mm, and 100mm.
BEST INSULATION FOR HOMES - INSULATION FOR INTERIOR WALL
Internal walls in the UK are typically built using various materials like timber frame, metal frame, or masonry. While it's generally impossible to insulate and soundproof masonry walls, it's very much feasible and recommended for walls constructed with timber or metal frames. These walls usually have a thickness of around 100 millimetres, allowing for insulation material to be added.
The choice of the best material for internal wall insulation depends primarily on the goal you want to achieve. If you aim to insulate interior walls economically, mineral wool in rolls is the most cost-effective option. On the other hand, PIR boards provide the best U-values. If you're focused on both soundproofing and insulation for interior walls, using rock wool with a density above 45 kg/m3 is the best choice. Products like slabs Rockwool RWA 45, RW3, RW5, or Knauf RS45, RS60, or RS100 are suitable options. Rock wool also offers the highest fire class A1, being completely non-combustible.
When selecting roll insulation for internal wall insulation, it's essential to remember that it tends to sag over time. Therefore, it might not fulfil its purpose after several years, creating thermal bridges on half of its coverage surface
BEST INSULATION FOR HOMES - INSULATION FOR EXTERNAL WALLS
The external wall is one of the most exposed parts of a building to atmospheric conditions. It serves as the structural support for the building and is the primary barrier separating us from the low temperatures outside. Insulating the external wall should be carefully planned, considering that not all insulation materials are suitable for this purpose.
Certainly, using glass mineral wool for external wall insulation wouldn't be suitable, as it tends to absorb water quickly and fails to fulfil its intended functions. Similarly, it would be challenging to use aluminium-faced layers of PIR boards as a base for thin coat render. Nevertheless, PIR or phenolic boards are commonly used for filling external cavity walls.
German engineers were the first to find the optimal solution for insulating the external walls of buildings, and this insulation is still widely applied today.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) stands out as a material with remarkable adhesive properties, adhering well to almost any surface. It is highly resilient to the weight of thin coat renders like K-rend or EWI. While not as water-resistant as XPS, EPS still offers good water resistance. Furthermore, EPS is lightweight and easy to install externally. Its straightforward cutting process makes it a preferred choice for EWI installers.
In terms of external wall insulation, it's crucial to highlight the Phenolic board by Kingspan, known as Kingspan Kooltherm K5. This board, unique within the Kingspan product range, features a white tissue coating. Presently, it stands as the most effective product for external wall insulation, delivering the lowest U-value with the thinnest insulation layer.
The last product commonly used for external wall insulation is Rockwool DD slab. These are boards consisting of two layers – a softer one facing the wall and a harder one facing the render. Their remarkable acoustic properties make them excellent for insulating homes located near airports or highways. However, using rockwool for external wall insulation requires a bit more knowledge and experience from installers. This doesn't mean it's difficult to execute, but it emphasises the importance of expertise in the process.
BEST INSULATION FOR HOMES - INSULATION FOR LOFT
When it comes to loft insulation, opinions on the best insulation material are divided. This includes both affordable loft rolls with higher (worse) thermal conductivity of 0.044 W/mK and PIR boards with lower (better) thermal conductivity of 0.022 W/mK. The price difference between them, especially at a thickness of 100mm, can be significant, with a ratio of £5 to £30. This means that glass wool loft rolls are up to 5 times cheaper.
However, using loft rolls requires a much greater thickness of insulation to achieve the same U-value as PIR boards.
Taking into consideration ease of cutting, R-value coefficient, low maintenance, and ease of transportation and handling on construction sites, the majority of people opt for purchasing PIR boards for loft insulation. Up to 30 out of 100 of our customers specifically choose this product for insulating their attic.
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