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.
Reflective Foil insulations were introduced onto the market as a smart and intelligent thermal insulation material.
Low-E™ Insulation is the original brand of reflective foil insulation. Reflective Materials, born out of this superior technology present an excellent solution to building insulation applications of all types. In construction, Low-E™ Insulation is used in Walls, Floors and Roofs either in commercial or domestic buildings but its applications do not end there. Low-E™ materials and coatings can also be applied in campervans and motor homes. Its applications extend to tents, spa pools, saunas, steam rooms and dozens and dozens of DIY application.
Is Low-E™ Insulation Any Good?
The Low-E™ Insulation family of products are the most advanced, quality, reflective insulation products on the market today. These products are constructed of a core of environmentally agreeable foam bonded to two exterior faces of 99.4% pure, highly polished aluminum. Unlike other types of mass insulations, Low-E™ Insulation does not absorb moisture at all. In fact, Low-E™ Insulation installed in conjunction with mass insulations can help them stay drier and warmer, eliminating dew points that may occur in the mass insulation, improving the performance of the mass insulation.
Low-E™ Insulation Products Family
Moreover, Low-E EZY Seal, Low-E Insulation TAB, Micro-E VCL, Low-E PERF are the trademarked names of Environmentally Safe Products.
Because of its low emissivity, radiation through the material is significantly reduced, giving Low-E™ foils a high thermal resistance. This product is effective, due to the inherent nature of foils which has an extremely high reflectivity of 97% and very low emissivity of 3% for re-radiation. Reflective Aluminium Foil Insulation with adjoining airspaces provides a permanent and continuous barrier to heat radiation. Because of the low emission coefficient of the foils, radiation through the insulation material is significantly reduced as a result of which these materials are claimed to have very high thermal resistance, even up to 5 or 6 m2 K/W. For Low-E foils used as thermal insulation the terms “reflective insulation” and “radiant barriers” are commonly used.
Where to buy Low-e insulation?
You can choose from 10 most popular Low-E™ products and buy them here. Low-E™ reflective insulation distributors like us are available 24/7 online.
Video credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMc1vWmjUZo&t=25s
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