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.
Metal frame wall insulation is nothing but a lightweight, fireproof partition wall covered on the inner or outer face of the studs with highly effective insulation such as Rockwool RWA45, RW3, RW5, Knauf RS45, RS60 or RS100. It is primarily used in partition walls or as components in steel frame systems (SFS). In fact, metal stud wall insulation can improve fire safety and sound blocking between spaces in the same property. The majority of commercial buildings use metal stud and track as part of its framing system. Metal stud internal walls offer significantly greater long-term benefits to a building than timber walls. Unlike wood, metal is a material which is not prone to warping or rotting, nor is it vulnerable to mould growth. As a material, metal’s strength doesn’t deteriorate the longer it is used, meaning a building will have efficient, long-term structural integrity. These durable metal wall studs can be used to replace the traditional timber framing, making them both convenient and cost effective. Steel may be a strong, durable framing material, but it’s also a thermal conductor. When not properly insulated, steel allows heat - and associated energy - to travel through the frame. This makes steel buildings particularly susceptible to high energy costs, as well as cold spots and difficulty maintaining temperatures. Insulating the frame and particularly over the frame as well as between the joints stops thermal transfer. This makes the building more comfortable and energy efficient for the occupants. Therefore, it is insulated inside or outside in 90% of cases. Fiberglass batts are the most common type of insulation used in metal stud framing. They're easy to install and relatively inexpensive. A partition insulation such as RWA45 Rockwool Acoustic Insulation Slab or Celotex or Kingspan solid rigid boards are also used for this type of construction. It should be emphasized that these are usually high-density products that guarantee soundproofing (>45kg/m3). It is recommended to use 60kg/m³ slabs as they offer the best sound insulation for the money spent. Although, those slabs still have higher density than other forms of insulation unlike thermal insulation which is lower in density and supplied in rolls. Unlike rolls, slabs are normally for walls. However, these high density insulation may weigh more than 100kg/m3. For instance, an average square office measuring 16'x 16' may call for 5.2m3 of acoustic insulation, therefore an extra weight of 520kg (half a ton). This may be worth considering when few offices are built on a single storey. Therefore, the most commonly used material for insulating interior walls is light mineral wool. It comes in the form of roll measuring usually 10000mm x 600mm, offering high level of sound absorption, noise reduction, better thermal and fire performance in internal wall partitions. Rolls are rot proof, non-hygroscopic, do not sustain vermin and will not encourage the growth of fungi, mould or bacteria. The absence of air gaps is crucial to achieving a high level of performance in the relevant application. Acoustic partition rolls adapt to any slight imperfections in the substrate and knit together, eliminating any air gaps (thermal bridging). In fact, roll is particularly effective at preventing the hollow sound that can occur in partitions with unfilled cavities.
METAL FRAME INSULATION SIZES
The spacing of the structure is strictly related to the dimensions of the gypsum board, i.e. 1200x2400. Generally speaking, studs should be placed at every 400 or 600mm. However, the industry standard of metal frame centre spacing is 600mm. Possibly for the reasons you should be looking for insulation with this particular width. However other 400mm centre spacing is also used in the UK. The only advantage for 400mm is a stronger structure otherwise is it better to have 600 mm centres.
600mm, more insulation, less thermal bridging, less metal studs, 600mm - living spaces and bedrooms
400mm, less insulation, more thermal bridging, stronger structure, 400mm - utility, kitchen or bathrooms
Rockwool RWA, RW, Knauf RS or Terrawool TW range offer boards size 1200mm x 600mm, which makes them ideal for insulation of this type of structure. On the other hand rigid insulation boards such as Celotex, Xtratherm or Kingspan come standard size 2400mm x 1200mm. They can be easily cut to 2 x 600mm or 3 x 400mm widths to fit between studs. These high performance PIR insulation boards are designed for internal wall insulation applications and can help achieve excellent U-values with both sides faced with low emissivity composite foil facing. Either way, installing insulation boards will provide excellent thermal performance and appropriate fire resistance within the wall cavity.
FITTING METAL FRAME INSULATION
Start at the bottom and gently place the insulation between the metal studs. Work up the front of the insulation toward the top. Confirm that the insulation completely fills the cavity between studs. If installing paper or foil-faced insulation, make sure the facing is toward the interior of the home. Cut the insulation with the utility knife when installing around utility lines, plumbing or any kind of cabling, if necessary. Cut the insulation boards accurately to ensure they will fit tightly around openings such as window and door openings. Fit the insulation boards to the external face of the steel studs, butted tightly together to ensure a continuous layer of insulation, ensuring vertical board joints coincide with a vertical steelwork member. Make sure the insulation sits between the obstruction and fill any gaps between the insulation and the metal framing with expanding polyurethane foam to avoid thermal bridging issues. Repeat the process to completely install all the insulation between the metal studs.
METAL FRAME WALL INSULATION PRICES
If you are looking to insulate a 100mm thick stud wall, you should expect to pay anything from £3.46 to £40 per m2. While fibreglass insulation is the cheapest available option costing a little as £3.46 per m2, it does not perform as good as Knauf RS or Rockwool RW range. For instance 100mm Knauf RS45 (45kg/m3) cost as of 2022 £11.46 per m2. On the other hand, its highest density grade (100kg/m3) cost £20.24. If you are about insulate a partition wall on the outer face of the studs, using 52.5mm thick insulated plasterboard such as Kingspan Kooltherm K118 or Xtratherm XT/TL-MF you would be paying as of 2022 £29.91 per m2. Filling steel stud wall with Celotex PIR rigid insulation board would cost not more than £18.55 per m2. The costs given here are given in good faith as an indicative guide only and should be used with understanding. Insulationgo Limited cannot accept any liability for any budget produced using these figures.
122.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MR Thermaliner PIR MR Moisture Resistant is an insulated panel combined of PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm green moisture resistant plasterboard designed for internal building areas of high humidity conditions, ideal for receiving a plaster finish or for direc..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Improving Moisture Resistance and Thermal Performance
Applications: Kitchen and Bathroom Walls and Ceiling Installations...
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
Strong Moisture Resistant Paperliners - Water Repellent
180mm IKO Enertherm ALU Universal PIR Insulation Board is a 100% CFC, HCFC and HFC-free, BBA approved rigid polyisocyanurate foam core insulation board clad on both sides with a multi-layer gas-tight aluminium foil.
PIR Insulation Board IKO Enertherm ALU 180mm is a multi-functional, lightweight 2..
64.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Insulated Plasterboard consist of PIR insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining B..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
200mm IKO Enertherm ALU Universal PIR Rigid Insulation Board is a BBA approved rigid polyisocyanurate foam core insulation board clad on both sides with a multi-layer gas-tight aluminium foil that is used in construction industry.
IKO Enertherm ALU is a 200mm thick lightweight 2400mm x 1200mm PIR..
67.5mm Xtratherm (Unilin) XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Insulated Plasterboard is a 55mm PIR insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation for masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board ..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
69.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is an insulated panel combined of PIR insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board is a hi..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
72.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Insulated Plasterboard is made up of PIR insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard designed to provide thermal insulation and vapour barrier for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board i..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
74.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner is an insulated panel combined of PIR insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Boa..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
77.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Insulated Plasterboard is a 65mm PIR insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard designed to provide thermal insulation and vapour barrier for walls, sloped roofs and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed is a highly versatile and durable ..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
79.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is an insulated panel combined of PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation and dry lining in one operation that is suitable for internal masonry ..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
82.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is a 70mm PIR insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard designed to thermal insulation for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board is a hig..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
84.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is an insulated panel combined of PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation and dry lining in one operation that is suitable for internal masonry ..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
87.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is a 75mm PIR rigid insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard designed for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board is a highly versatile and dur..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
89.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is an insulated panel combined of PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation and dry lining in one operation that is suitable for internal masonry ..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
92.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is a 80mm PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard suitable for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Board is a highly versatile and durable ..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
99.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Insulated Plasterboard is a 90mm PIR insulation core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation and dry lining for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining B..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
102.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Insulated Plasterboard is made up of 90mm PIR insulation core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard designed to provide high levels of thermal insulation and vapour barrier for walls and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Unilin Board is a hi..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
109.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is an insulated panel combined of 100mm PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard, used for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board is a..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
112.5mm Xtratherm (Unilin) XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Insulated Plasterboard is made up of 100mm PIR insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard to provide thermal insulation and vapour barrier for walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Drylining Board is a h..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
119.5mm Xtratherm Thin-R XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Composite Drylining Board is a 110mm PIR insulation foam core bonded to 9.5mm plasterboard designed to provide thermal insulation and dry lining in one operation that is suitable for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtra..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications
122.5mm Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Thermal Liner Mech Fix Insulated Palsterboard consist of 110mm PIR rigid insulation foam core bonded to 12.5mm plasterboard, used for internal masonry walls, sloped rafters and ceilings.
Xtratherm XT/TL-MF Mechanically Fixed Unilin Board is a highly versatile and dura..
Provides Effective Vapour Control Layer
Reducing Energy Consumption and Costs
For a Variety of Wall Types - Internal Walls, Sloped Roofs, Ceilings
Insulation & Drylining in one Application - Refurbishment & New Build
XT/TL-MF is only suitable for mechanically fixed applications