Largely manufactured from recycled glass (e.g. windscreens) and mineral base materials such as sand and without the use of binding agents. The ingredients are melted into molten glass, which is cooled and crushed into a fine powder. The powdered glass is poured into molds and heated (below the melting point) in a "sintering" process that causes the particles to adhere to one another. Next, a small amount of finely ground carbon-black is added and the material is heated in a "cellulation" process. Here, the carbon reacts with oxygen, creating carbon dioxide, which creates the insulating bubbles in the (material). CO2 accounts for more than 99% of the gas in the cellular spaces.
Cellulose insulation is a material made from recycled newspaper. The paper is shredded and inorganic salts, such as boric acid, are added for resistance to fire, mould, insects and vermin. The insulation is installed either blown or damp-sprayed depending on application.
Wood fibre
The success of wood fibre insulation derives from an attractive environmental profile combined with a whole bag of functions including rigid insulation, sheathing and sarking for timber frames, roofs and flooring as well as flexible insulation for studs and rafters.
Wood of course is renewable, it sequesters carbon during its growth and product production is relatively free from pollution. The insulation value of wood fibre boards is not as dimensionally efficient as some of the orthodox petro-chemical materials - but it's no slouch either - typically coming in with a 'k value' range of between 0.038-0.043 W/mK depending on format.
Hemp
Hemp fibres are produced from hemp straw of the hemp plant. Most hemp is imported, but an increasing amount of home-grown crop is becoming available. Hemp grows up to a height of nearly 4 metres within a period of 100-120 days. Because the plants shade the soil, no chemical protection or toxic additives are required for hemp cultivation. The product is composed of, usually, 85% hemp fibre with the ballance made up of polyester binding and 3-5% soda added for fire proofing.
Straw
Straw is an agricultural by-product, the dry stalks of cereal plants, after the grain and chaff have been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of cereal crops such asbarley, oats, rice, rye and wheat.
Foil aluminium insulation also known as a 'quilt' or 'multi foil' product is a modern and most effective form of insulation available, worth considering if you have restricted space in your loft or roof space that means regular insulation is not viable. Wrap foil insulation works slightly differently, then typical insulation. Whilst there will be some resistance to conduction, thanks to the air gaps between the layers of foil, most of the performance of the material lies in its ability to reflect radiative heat back into the room. This characteristic is not an important player when it comes to fibreglass or wool insulation, but is crucial for foil. Thermal wrap insulation has low emissivity outer layers, which reflect infra-red radiation back into the room, preventing it from exiting the building. Its layer of bubble like structure, known as low emissivity cavities, helps to maximise insulation by preventing heat transfer. The heat transfer is greatly reduced through pockets of air. This type of loft insulation is one of the thinnest insulation products on the UK market. This brings a number of benefits, particularly that of space saving. Traditional insulation such as loft roll can take up valuable space, especially in loft conversions, whereas foil insulation minimises the space taken up by insulation. So choosing foil loft insulation can be a positive change. Due to the thin characteristics of multi foil insulation it is incredibly easy to transport, handle and install. No special protective equipment such as breathing apparatus is required, and unlike other insulation, there isn’t a lot of dust produced during installation. Moreover foil insulation controls water vapour movement, unlike other forms of insulation such as mineral wool. It can be used on its own, helping to further decrease the amount of heat loss from the building. Those products can also act as vapour permeable insulation. This reduces the need for other separate insulation products, saving time and money and is resistant to corrosion. Furthermore, foil insulation is made from around 40% recycled materials and has a life expectancy of over 50 years. There are also reflective foil insulations available with the added benefit of working as a breathable membrane, achieving optimum u-values in the same time. Reflective insulation it is not supposed to replace all other insulation materials. It is designed to compliant an insulation system and to address issues which are not addressed by traditional insulation ( Radiant heat, Air-tightness, Moisture control ). It is designed to reduce life cycle running costs, provide moisture protection, stops draughts, deaden sound but most importantly, to tackle issues which are usually left unaddressed by traditional bulkier insulation products. Although reflective foil insulation was re-popularised by the space industry, it has been around for 1000’s of years and is known by many names:
radiant barrier,
foil insulation,
reflective insulation,
multi foil,
bubble wrap,
space blanket.
APPLICATION
Foil insulation roll can be used in a wide range of applications. Although most commonly used in roof spaces particularly between rafters and timber studs. Some thermal foil insulation products can also be used effectively in walls and loft floors.
MANUFACTURERS
There are a number of different types of multi foil insulation available from a range of different manufacturers, each providing their own advantages.
LOW-E
One of the most popular names in the thermal foil industry, Low-E is often considered the market leader, producing high performing and highly effective multi foil insulation products. It offers a wide range of products. Low-E Seam Tape 65mm Scrimmed Foil is used as system closure tape with Low-E Foil Insulation products.
PRODUCTS
Low-E EZY Seal Original Reflective Foil Insulation,
Low-E Insulation TAB 16,
Micro-E VCL Reflective Foil Insulation,
PERF Perforated Breathable Foil Insulation,
SlabShield Reflective Foil Insulation VCL,
Low-E Ultra-E Vapour Barrier Foil Insulation VCL.
YBS
Superquilt, which has been designed to specifically combat cold bridging, Thermaquilt, which has been designed as a budget friendly yet effective insulating alternative to other multi foil products, Airtec, which has an aluminium bubble membrane to reduce thermal movement, and Foiltec, which has been coated with nitrocellulose to result in a highly robust and corrosion resistant multi foil insulation that also acts as a vapour control layer.
Actis is the second most trusted brand after LOW-E and supplies a number of high performance foil insulation products. Actis Boost R Hybrid, which is installed on the cold side of the roof and is just 35mm thick, acting as a breathable membrane but with reflective foil to improve the insulating properties.
Actis Boost R Hybrid Reflective Breather Membrane.
SUPERFOIL
On other hand SuperFOIL offers air bubble structured insulation and breathable thermal insulation, and even products designed specifically to be used in conservatories, there are a number of different SuperFOIL products to choose from.
PRODUCTS
Multi-layer Foil Insulation SF19+,
Underfloor Silver Foil Insulation SFUF,
Multi-layer Foil Insulation SF40,
SuperFOIL SFTV Thermal Vapour Barrier,
Breathable Thermal Insulation SF19BB,
Multi-layer Foil Insulation SF6,
SuperFOIL SFTV 1L High Tech,
Multi-layer Air Bubble Insulation SFBA MP,
SuperFOIL SF19 FR Fire Rated Multifoil,
SuperFOIL General Purpose Wrap Multifoil Insulation,
SuperFOIL SFBA Radiator Heat Reflector Kit.
THINSULEX
TLX insulation has over 15 years of experience in developing some of the world’s most advanced thin, high-performance foil insulation. Its TLX Silver multifoil insulation has reflective surfaces on the outer and inner layers, which can not only reflect infrared radiation back into the house to keep it warm but also prevent the house from radiating energy back into the environment.
InsulationGo is proud to offer the very latest multifoil insulation products at competitive prices. While shops such as Srewfix, B&Q or Wickes offer good deals, online insulation shops like us can offer better deals. It is because products come to you directly from the manufacturer or seller without involving middlemen.
Low-E EZY Seal Original Aluminium Reflective Foil Insulation (5m2 roll) is a superior 5.5mm thick thermal insulation and air infiltration vapour barrier designed to reduce draughts and uncontrolled air movement and increase thermal performance by blocking up to 97% of radiant heat.
With one of th..
5.5mm Low-E EZY Seal Reflective Foil Insulation
Moisture control and Wind infiltration barrier
Low-E EZY Seal - Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating
Totally non-toxic and with no fibres and no itching
Thinnest most effective reflective foil insulation
Low-E TAB 16 Pre-cut Reflective Aluminium Foil Insulation (10m2 roll) is an ultra thin 5.5mm thick reflective foil insulation product cut to 416mm (3x400mm) widths and 24m long rolls for ease of installation between rafters, studs and joists.
5.5mm Low-E TAB Insulation acts not only as a superior..
Low-E Insulation TAB 16 Pre-cut 416mm
Superior Reflective Foil Insulation 10m2 roll
Installation between rafters, studs and joists
Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating, Low-E TAB Insulation
Increases thermal performance by blocking up to 97% of radiant heat
Micro-E VCL Low-E Thinnest Flexible Insulation is an only 3mm thick, extremely lightweight, easy to handle reflective foil insulation and vapour control layer designed to provide a thermal break and reflect up to 97% of radiant heat.
3mm Micro-E Insulation VCL 30m2 roll has trimmed edges and can ..
3mm Low-E Insulation Micro-E VCL 30m2 roll
Micro-E Thinnest Flexible Reflective Foil VCL
Residential roofing underlayment, Vapor barrier
Extremely lightweight, easy to handle reflective foil
Low-E PERF Perforated Breathable Reflective Foil Insulation 5m2 is a superior 5.5mm thick certified insulation that allows moisture to pass through the perforated reflective foil while limiting air movement, suitable for use on the external sides of an insulation system in wall, floor, and roofing a..
Low-E PERF Perforated Breathable Reflective Foil
Superior 5.5mm thick certified ultrathin insulation
Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating - Low-E PERF
Low-E PERF reflects 97% of radiant heat
Suitable for wall, floor, and roofing applications
Low-E Seam Tape (Scrimmed) is an original pure aluminium reflective foil tape with superior adhesion and Class 1 Fire Rating used as system closure tape with Low-E Foil Insulation products.
The roll measures 65mm wide and 45 meters long to provide excellent adhesion and quick stick.
This tape ..
65mm Low-E Seam Foil Tape (Scrimmed)
Original pure aluminium reflective foil tape
Superior Adhesion and Class 1 Fire Rating
System closure tape for Low-E Foil Insulation products.
45 meters long to provide excellent adhesion and quick stick
Low-E SlabShield Reflective Foil Insulation VCL is an innovative interlocking 11mm thick air infiltration barrier and vapour barrier designed to boost thermal performance, in one simple to install product that can be used for under concrete slabs both with, and without, hydronic heating systems.
..
Low-E Ultra-E VCL Reflective Vapour Barrier Foil Insulation is a superior thermal resistant 11mm thick Vapour Control Layer made using recycled closed cell foam core and pure aluminium facings to provide a considerable thermal break and greatly reduce noise transmission, while the pure aluminium fac..
3mm Micro-E PERF Low-E Thinnest Flexible Breathable Foil Insulation is a certified breathable aluminium foil insulation that allows moisture to pass through the perforated reflective foil while limiting air movement, suitable for use in all aspects of construction.
Low-E Micro-E PERF 3mm reflects..
3mm Low-E Insulation Micro-E PERF 30m2 roll
Micro-E PERF Thinnest Flexible Reflective Foil
Suitable for use in all aspects of construction
Extremely lightweight, easy to handle reflective foil
Low-E EZY Seal Original Reflective Foil Insulation 15m2 is a superior 5.5mm thick pure aluminium thermal insulation and air infiltration (vapour barrier) designed to reduce draughts and uncontrolled air movement and increase thermal performance by blocking up to 97% of radiant heat.
With one of t..
5.5mm Low-E EZY Seal Reflective Foil Insulation
Moisture control and Wind infiltration barrier
Low-E EZY Seal - Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating
Totally non-toxic and with no fibres and no itching
Thinnest most effective reflective foil insulation
Low-E TAB 24 Pre-cut Reflective Foil Insulation 15m2 is an original ultra-thin reflective insulation product cut to 625mm (3x600mm) widths and 24m long rolls for ease of installation between rafters, studs and joists.
5.5mm Low-E TAB Insulation acts not only as a superior air infiltration barrier..
Low-E Insulation TAB 24 Pre-cut 625mm
Superior Reflective Foil Insulation 15m2 roll
Installation between rafters, studs and joists
Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating, Low-E TAB Insulation
Increases thermal performance by blocking up to 97% of radiant heat
5.5mm Low-E PERF Perforated Breathable Reflective Aluminium Foil Insulation (15m2 roll) is a certified foil insulation that allows moisture to pass through the perforated reflective foil while limiting air movement, suitable for use on the external sides of an insulation system in wall, floor, and r..
Low-E PERF Perforated Breathable Reflective Foil
Superior 5.5mm thick certified ultrathin insulation
Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating - Low-E PERF 15m2
Low-E PERF reflects 97% of radiant heat
Suitable for wall, floor, and roofing applications
5.5mm Low-E EZY Seal Original Reflective Foil Insulation (30m2 roll) is a pure aluminium thermal insulation and air infiltration vapour barrier designed to reduce draughts and uncontrolled air movement and increase thermal performance by blocking up to 97% of radiant heat.
With one of the lowest ..
5.5mm Low-E EZY Seal Reflective Foil Insulation
Moisture control and Wind infiltration barrier
Low-E EZY Seal - Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating
Totally non-toxic and with no fibres and no itching
Thinnest most effective reflective foil insulation
Low-E PERF Perforated Breathable Reflective Foil Insulation 30m2 is a superior 5.5mm thick certified insulation that allows moisture to pass through the perforated reflective foil while limiting air movement, suitable for use on the external sides of an insulation system in wall, floor, and roofing ..
Low-E PERF Perforated Breathable Reflective Foil
Superior 5.5mm thick certified ultrathin insulation
Class A, Class 1 Fire Rating - Low-E PERF 30m2
Low-E PERF reflects 97% of radiant heat
Suitable for wall, floor, and roofing applications