Insulating your home is one of the essentials of construction, especially in the UK, where keeping the heat in is vital! The right insulation can help save you money on heating your home, and it’s better for the environment too.
But did you know that there’s more than one type of insulation? In fact, there’s a different type of insulation for every area of your house, which can make it pretty intimidating to choose it when building or renovating your home. So today, we’re going to talk through all the different types of insulation, and how they work.
What Areas Need Insulation?
Insulation isn’t a one-size fits all thing. Each area of your home will need a specific type of insulation to keep the heat in, and most of that depends on where it is, how close it is to the outside and how difficult the area is to get to. This means you will need insulation for:
- The loft
- The roof
- Cavity walls
- Solid walls
- Internal walls
- Floors (with different types for suspended and solid floors)
- Crawl spaces
- Ceilings
The Types Of Insulation
That’s a lot of places to insulate! So, here’s a rundown of the most commonly used materials for industry-standard insulation
Blanket Insulation: This insulation comes in a roll of foam-backed mineral fibre, felt, glass, rock or sheep’s wool. And when it’s unrolled, it looks like a blanket! It’s fairly easy to install and fits perfectly into wall cavities.
Rock Mineral Wool Insulation: Rock mineral wool is made from rock – more specifically basalt, which is a type of volcanic rock. It’s heated up until it melts, and then it’s spun into fibres that look just like wool. The wool is then sold in batts, rolls or as loose fill. Rock mineral wool insulation is used because it’s non-combustible, giving you better protection against fires. It’s also a good option for soundproofing rooms as it absorbs sound well.
Sheet Loft Insulation: As the name suggests, this type of insulation is perfect for roofs and lofts. Since around a quarter of the heat in your home is lost through the roof, you need something that’s up to the task of keeping it in. It comes in rigid sheets that have been treated to be fire and moisture-resistant.
Loose-Fill Insulation: This lightweight material is great for insulating those really awkward spaces in cavity walls, or just to fill gaps. You can buy it in bags and just spread it into the gaps.
Glass Mineral Wool Insulation: Also known as glass wool, this insulation is exactly what it sounds like. It’s made from sand and recycled glass, heated and spun into fibres that look like wool. It has lots of air pockets in it thanks to the way it’s made, making it a good thermal insulator and soundproofing treatment.
Sheep’s Wool Insulation: With all of these things that look like wool, it’s only fair that we have some actual wool on the list! Sheep’s wool insulation is a popular and environmentally friendly choice, with lots of benefits over traditional insulation. It doesn’t burn, making it a safe option, it’s easy to work with and won’t cause skin irritation or breathing difficulties. It’s super absorbent, great at soundproofing and insulates really well – it’s a win-win!
Rigid Foam Insulation: These rigid foam boards are sold as large sheets, which can be cut to the size needed for each project. There are 3 types of rigid board insulation:
- PIR/PIR Boards: Backed with aluminium and made from closed cells for increased fire safety.
- Phenolic Boards: Thinner boards made with closed cells for reduced water absorption. It’s often the most expensive type of insulation.
- Expanded Polystyrene: The cheapest type of rigid board insulation, this is made from polystyrene balls that are moulded together to create a block.
So you see, there’s a lot of options for your to choose from. At DNA Brickwork and Builders we pride ourselves on making the construction process as simple as possible for you. We can advise you on which types of insulation would be best for your property, so you can enjoy a warmer home and lower heating bills. If you would like to find out more, just get in touch with the team today.
