The Press

Which insulation is best for you?

Investing in good wall, ceiling and underfloor insulation is one of the smartest decisions you can make when building or renovating your home. Yes, you can heat your home with the likes of heat pumps, log burners and heaters, but insulation will ensure this warmth doesn’t escape. It also lowers your heating bill, improves air quality in your home, helps with acoustic noise levels and helps keep allergens and other airborne contaminan­ts out of your home. While we traditiona­lly think of insulation as being made of fibreglass, these days, there’s an array of products on the market.

POLYESTER:

This alternativ­e to fibreglass is becoming more and more popular. Pros: Not itchy — dust or fibers aren’t small enough to enter your pores and cause irritation, environmen­tally friendly t’s made from at least 45 per cent recycled plastic; strong, durable product which can handle being moved at a later date or walked on, odourless and neutral, long lasting, can be stapled into place (subfloor) to ensure it won’t move.

Cons: The fibers are small enough to create irritation of the respirator­y system during installati­on, a dust mask must be used when handlinga more expensive than fibreglass, has to be thicker in volume than fiberglass to achieve the same thermal performanc­e, handling of the material during installati­on is more difficult as the bales are quite large.

FIBREGLASS:

This is the product most of us associate with home insulation and it’s usually made from at least 80 per cent recycled glass.

Pros: Often an economical option, can be fitted into tighter spots than some other products, is easy to work with when installing as it can easily be cut and manipulate­d around fixtures in the ceiling such as downlights, fans etc, fairly easy to install yourself, bales can be tightly wrapped and compressed making them easier to move into the attic space.

Cons: Fibres are small enough to create irritation of the skin and respirator­y system during installati­on. A dust mask must be used when handling. Tends to damage when moved or walked on too many times, so isn’t really suitable for subfloor use.

POLYSTYREN­E:

This insulation is made from a processed, synthetic material based on petrochemi­cals, with fire retardant added during manufactur­e.

Pros: Able to withstand extremes in temperatur­es, creates a noise barrier dust to its density, so is great for dampening sound reverberat­ion in wooden floorboard­s. Waterproof, unlike some other types of insulation. Long lasting. Cons: More rigid than some insulation options. Can break down the TPS sheathing of electrical cables when in contact with these over an an extended period of time. A barrier should always be maintained between polystyren­e insulation.

SHEEP’S WOOL:

Wool from sheep have been keeping us warm for as long as farming has existed, so it makes sense that this organic fibre is increasing­ly being used as home insulation too - with 5 to 20 per cent of polyester added.

Pros: The most environmen­tally-friendly option, as it’s completely renewable, can be washed and will naturally decompose when disposed of. Non-hazardous to install. Flexible, can be pushed into corners and cut to size easily. Absorbs moisture, while keeping its thermal qualities - ideal for damp environmen­ts. Keeps its shape and doesn’t settle and lose its insulation properties over time, like some other types.

Cons: Can be expensive (through costs are quickly recouped). Hazardous production process, requiring chemical treatment to reduce the amount of insect of fungi growth.

SPRAY FOAM:

Liquid foam insulation materials are used in various parts of buildings to insulate surfaces and reduce air leakage. Different types may be sprayed or foamed in place to insulate open cavities in the structure including attics, crawl spaces, and the wall cavities of newbuild homes.

Pros: Tends to be affordable. Can be used in even the more difficult of environmen­ts, is entirely chemically stable. Takes up little space in your loft or within your roof, so you can use your loft as a room. Certain types of spray foam can improve the structural integrity of your home by making your walls and roof more stable and less prone to movement and noise. Closed-cell foam seals all gaps, even in awkward areas. Open-cell foam absorbs water

Cons: Upfront costs and installati­on can be expensive. A comparativ­ely long installati­on product. Not a DIY installati­on process - and a potentiall­y messy one.