Insulation comes in different forms and no two types of insulation are the same. This does not mean that one type of insulation is better than the other, but that different types are designed for different applications. It means that because insulation acts as a barrier against heat loss in winter or heating in summer, some types will do better in certain places than others.
IMPORTANT!
The lower the λ (lambda)-value (the coefficient of thermal conductivity), the better the insulating properties of the material! In other words, lower λ= harder heat movement into (through) the material.
* λ (lambda) = coefficient of thermal conductivity of materials
How do you determine which type of insulation is best for you? And why is this decision so important? Let's look at some statistics to get a better idea.
On average, a household spends about 46% of its total energy consumption on heating and cooling systems. To put this into perspective, if an average family pays £200 a month for energy, almost half of that is the cost of running the HVAC systems.
Properly insulating your home can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 15% or overall energy consumption costs by up to 11%.While this figure may not seem that impressive on its own, there are other energy-saving techniques you can use in combination with proper insulation to achieve even greater savings.For example, using a smart air conditioner controller or smart thermostat reduces energy consumption by up to 25%.
Important factors when choosing the best type of insulation for your home
It is important to remember that the effectiveness of home insulation depends on how well it is installed and whether it is suitable for your location and climate. Therefore, before you consider the many types of insulation, it is important to keep these three factors in mind:
- Which part of the home are you insulating?
Different types of insulation are suitable for different parts of your home. For example, if you want to insulate a new wall, you can use batts in panels or rolls (discussed below). However, if you're trying to insulate an existing wall, you're better off choosing loose-fill insulation (also discussed below) as it will be more economical.
- What is the required λ (lambda, coefficient of thermal conductivity) for your area?
Different types of insulation have different resistances to conductive heat flow. The thermal conductivity coefficient and density of insulation products can vary depending on your climate and location.
If you plan to insulate a large portion of your home, the cost difference between different types of insulation can add up to a hefty sum. As you consider the costs, it's also important to remember that most insulation pays for itself over the long term. The energy savings on your heating and cooling bills, as well as the health benefits that some of the more expensive forms of insulation provide, will justify the investment.
Other factors such as the durability of the insulation material, ease of installation, the amount of recycled content in the material and its impact on air quality and the environment must also be considered. Another important factor is flammability. Some types ignite more easily than others.
Types and composition of materials for thermal insulation products
Depending on the above factors and the type you use, here are all the different insulation materials you can choose.
* Foam insulation
Foam insulation is usually made of plastics such as polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyurethane. A less common type is cement foam insulation. Foam insulation is available as rigid foam board, loose-fill insulation or spray foam insulation.
Polystyrene foam insulation can be expanded or extruded. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is made from pre-expanded polystyrene beads and is rigid, strong and closed cell. It is available in loose fill and slab form. Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), on the other hand, is sold only as rigid panels. It is denser and therefore stronger than EPS.
Polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) have a very similar chemical composition with slight chemical differences. PIR is an improved version of PUR and is more fire resistant as well as a better insulator. In general, polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are economical, easy to install, and very resistant to mechanical and structural damage.
* Foam insulation
Foam insulation is usually made of plastics such as polystyrene, polyisocyanurate or polyurethane. A less common type is cement foam insulation. Foam insulation is available as rigid foam board, loose-fill insulation or spray foam insulation.
Polystyrene foam insulation can be expanded or extruded. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is made from pre-expanded polystyrene beads and is rigid, strong and closed cell. It is available in loose fill and slab form. Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), on the other hand, is sold only as rigid panels. It is denser and therefore stronger than EPS.
Polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) have a very similar chemical composition with slight chemical differences. PIR is an improved version of PUR and is more fire resistant as well as a better insulator. In general, polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are economical, easy to install, and very resistant to mechanical and structural damage.
*Fiberglass insulation
Fiberglass is one of the most commonly used types of insulation materials. It is made of fine glass fibers that are twisted or blown to create sheets, rolls, loose-fill insulation and batts. Most manufacturers use about 40% to 60% recycled glass.
Despite its popularity, fiberglass can irritate the skin and lungs. That's why experts advise wearing protective clothing such as gloves, masks and safety glasses during installation.
*Offensive barrier insulation
Reflective insulation and radiant barrier insulation reflect heat, unlike most other insulation materials that resist heat flow. Reflective insulation incorporates radiant barriers such as aluminum foils, along with backings such as polyethylene bladders, cardboard, kraft paper, or plastic sheeting, into a typical home insulation system. Because of the way they function, radiant barrier insulation is most effective in hot climates.
* Mineral wool insulation
Mineral wool insulation refers to two types of insulation materials - slag and stone wool. Although both types are man-made, the raw material in them is very different. For example, stone wool is made from natural minerals such as basalt or diabase. In contrast, slag wool is made from blast furnace slag (a waste product of molten metal). Mineral wool insulation is fire-resistant and is available as loose-fill insulation, in rolls and in slabs.
*Cellulose insulation
Cellulose insulation consists of up to 85% recycled paper that is first shredded into small pieces and then fibrillated to produce the final product, usually with a loose fill. It is placed tightly into the building cavities, impeding airflow. Manufacturers also add mineral borate and sometimes ammonium sulphate to make the product resistant to fire and insects. It requires no additional moisture barrier and is suitable for both new and existing homes.
*Natural fibre insulation
Some natural fibres can also be used as insulation material. Fibres such as cotton, sheep's wool, straw, flax, hemp, seaweed are recycled to produce insulation. However, these materials need additional processing to make them resistant to fire, insects and moisture. Natural fibre insulation is usually sold as batts or panels.
*Denim (cotton) insulation
Denim insulation is also known as natural cotton fiber insulation and is made from recycled denim or post-industrial cotton denim. It is a high performance insulation and is more expensive than other types of insulation. It offers some significant advantages over other forms of insulation, such as durability, better sound insulation, improved indoor air quality and increased safety.
Like cotton fiber insulation, denim insulation must be treated for resistance to fire, mold and pests. Denim is most commonly found in the form of batting insulation.
Types of thermal insulation, application, advantages and disadvantages
* Wool and roll/plate insulation
The most common type of insulation is in the form of wool slabs or rolls. These can be made from fibreglass, natural fibres, mineral wool and plastic fibres, although the most common type is fibreglass wool insulation. The wool can be supplied with or without a kraft paper or foil-kraft lining, which serves as a vapour barrier and air barrier. The most strata version of the wool are in the form of rolls.
Benefits: Fiberglass wool insulation is readily available and has a wide range of applications. You can install it in ceilings, as insulation in attics, crawl spaces and unfinished floors. It is also quite affordable and fairly easy to install, as you can make it yourself. Other forms of wool insulation also have similar benefits.
Disadvantage: Watt insulation comes in pre-cut sizes and over-fitting often results in compression, thus reducing efficiency. Another disadvantage is that wool can have a low density per m3, so you may need more than 1 layer to achieve the desired thermal conductivity- λ (W/mK).
* Expanded foam or rigid foam
Foam board and rigid foam insulation are much stronger than batt or batts. You can find insulating foam in many different materials and thicknesses. As a result, their usefulness is quite broad and they can be applied in almost any part of your home. They are effective as wall sheathing (interior and exterior), as roof insulation, in attic hatches, and also as foundation insulation during construction.
Rigid foam insulation has three other types: polyisocyanurate, extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene. Their density per m3 is higher.
Benefits: They help to reduce thermal conductivity through timber and steel studs. They are also stronger, waterproof, easier to handle and permeable to water vapour.
Disadvantage: Installing foam insulation can be quite expensive in existing walls. In most cases, you will have to tear out cracked plaster or other compromised covering and build it back up with the new insulation. So, for old construction, consult whether it might be better to choose one of the other types of insulation materials.
*Insulated concrete forms
Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are H-shaped structures consisting of two concrete walls that are poured between layers of insulation. They allow an open air channel between the two walls, resulting in high thermal resistance .
ICFs are an ideal solution for building energy efficient homes and can be used for almost any residential, commercial and industrial building. Insulating concrete form walls look very similar to traditionally constructed walls, although they are slightly wider. The structure is reinforced with steel bars. If the walls do not need steel or concrete to support the structure, more insulation can be filled in to increase the density.
Benefits: Insulated concrete forms can strengthen the walls of your house. They also save up to 20% of the energy used for heating and cooling. Another advantage is noise and temperature control.
Disadvantages: Insects and ground water can damage the structure, as foam strips are not insect or water resistant. This type of insulation can also be quite expensive and may not be the most effective method, as heat can still leak through uninsulated concrete. This type of insulation is considered applicable if you are doing new construction or if you are doing a major renovation.
* Loose fill insulation and blown insulation
One of the most common types of insulation currently in use is loose-fill or blown-in insulation. It is formed directly as a loose material or broken into smaller pieces and granules, giving it a fluffy appearance. Blown-in insulation is very useful because it can be used in walls, ceilings, crawl spaces and attics without disturbing the structures. This makes it ideal for spaces where regular insulation would not be suitable.
Loose fill insulation is most commonly made from fibreglass, cellulose or mineral wool. It is sold in bags and in most cases requires special equipment to be blown into the building cavities.
Benefits: blown-in insulation is usually very environmentally friendly as it is made from recycled waste materials. It is easy to use and is effective in small areas where other forms of insulation would not work, especially around pipes and ducts. You can reuse it by collecting the material using a vacuum and moving it around as needed.
Disadvantages: the area needs to be properly sealed, and in some cases you may also need to install ceiling ventilation. Professional installation may be required if using cellulose in bulk. If not properly sealed, this type of insulation is quite susceptible to mold.
*Reflective offensive insulation
Reflective offensive insulation and radiant barrier insulation reflect heat, unlike most other insulation materials that resist heat flow. For the same reason, this type of insulation has no R-value of its own. As a result, you can install it to cool your attics, limiting summer heat gains and reducing your cooling costs.
Reflective insulation incorporates radiant barriers such as aluminum foils, along with backings such as polyethylene bladders, cardboard, kraft paper, or plastic sheeting, into a typical home insulation system. Because of the way they function, radiant barrier insulation is most effective in hot climates.
Benefits: Easy to install, provides a water barrier and is suitable for wrapping ducts and pipes. Does not deteriorate over time as most other types of insulation do. They can reduce cooling costs by 5-10% in extremely hot areas. Radiant barriers are easy to install and therefore do not require professional help.
Disadvantages: radiant barrier insulation is not effective on its own as a winter insulation material and is usually used in combination with foam insulation. Its effectiveness can be reduced by simple problems such as dust accumulation.
*Spray foam and foam insulation in place
Liquid spray foam insulation is sprayed, poured, injected or injected as a liquid that expands and hardens to fill the available space. It is more expensive than other types of insulation, but has a better thermal conductivity coefficient and saves you money on some air conditioning-related tasks, such as caulking.
Spray-foam insulation allows you to cover a larger area and gives you easy access to hard-to-reach places. It effectively seals any cracks or gaps in your home and reduces airflow, reducing heat loss. This type of insulation comes in two common forms - open cell (lower density and filled with air) and closed cell (high cell density and filled with gas). It is typically used on walls, attic surfaces, under floors, under window sills or even under roofs.
Benefits: it is twice as effective as wool and can fill small cracks and voids to insulate better. Reduces sound transmission and does not need a separate vapour barrier.
Disadvantages: Closed-cell spray foam insulation is more effective but also more expensive than other types of insulation. Open cell spray foam insulation is cheaper but more water absorbent.Therefore, it should not be used underground or as floor insulation.DIY spray-foam insulation is a bad idea, so hiring an experienced contractor will also increase installation costs.
* Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS)
Structurally insulated panels are high-performance building panels that consist of two rigid panels with insulating foam between them. These panels are factory manufactured and are available in a variety of sizes. The foam core is usually made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS) or polyurethane foam (PUR), and the structural panels are usually oriented strand board (OSB) or fibre concrete.
SIPs can effectively block high-frequency noise but do not block low-frequency sounds. Because some structural insulation panels are large, installers can quickly install entire sections of walls and roofs, which can help reduce framing time.
Benefits: SIP panels have the best thermal conductivity coefficient of any type of insulation. They are easy to install and are usually covered with a foil( film) that can act as a moisture barrier. In addition, SIPs offer energy savings of up to 12%.
Disadvantages: you'll have to cut the foam to fit around obstacles, which can reduce its effectiveness unless used in combination with a sealing foam. SIPs are not protected from insects and pests, so they must be sprayed with an insecticide and are still not 100% safe.On the other hand, they have strong airtight properties.You will need proper home ventilation to meet building codes and safety requirements.
Болгарика БС ЕООД - Строителни материали за довършителни и ремонтни дейности - Бургас
