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Thermal
Insulation Materials:
As far as possible you should
select your insulation to achieve the best performance and the
lowest U-values you can. Usually this involves using the thickest
insulation possible, although higher performance thin foils are
available at a price.
In making your selection choose
insulation derived from organic sources first (sheepswool, hemp
fibre); alternatively use insulation derived from naturally occurring
minerals (glass, mineral wool) or as a last resort insulation
derived from fossil fuels (but ideally those that use Zero-ODP
blowing agents).
- Insulation can be placed externally
(such as insulated render), in the wall (cavity insulation and
full fill systems) or internally (insulated lining systems).
External insulation allows the mass of the building to hold the
temperature longer and is suited for buildings that have high
occupancy; whereas internally insulated buildings do not hold
the temperature well, but do give a fast response to heating
or cooling that is turned on -this is best suited for buildings
in occasional occupation, for example holiday homes.
-
- Of course the type of insulation
does also depend on the selected method of construction too -it
can be sprayed, come as loose fill
Manufacturers:
- Actis
-www.insulation-actis.com
The inventers of thin
multi wall thermo-reflective insulation -30mm thick Trisco-Super
10 is is equivalent to 210mm of mineral wool insulation.
- Black Mountain Insulation -www.blackmountaininsulation.com
Natural
wool insulation from sheep farmed in England, Ireland, Scotland
and Wales.
- Celotex -www.celotex.co.uk
Manufacturers
of high performance polyisocyanurate (PIR) thermal insulation
boards for use in the construction industry.
- Ecotherm www.ecotherm.co.uk/
One
of Europe's largest insulation manufacturers; they manufacture
PUR and PIR Rigid Thermal Insulation construction products for
use in flat and pitched roofs, walls, floors and ceilings.
- Excel -www.excelfibre.com
Makers
of Warmcell blown fibre lost insulation, aimed specifically at
the DIY market. Also do Soundcel acoustic insulation.
- Icynene -www.icynene.com
Water
blown sprayed external insulation that is very good for sealing
buildings against air and moisture movement -the product is applied
as a liquid and expands to sixty times the original volume on
drying.
- Isover -www.isover.co.uk
Part
of the St Gobain group, Isover produces glass mineral wool insulation
for cavity walls, roofs and other applications. Loads of useful
information online covering everything from fire performance
to acoustics.
- Isonat
-www.naturalinsulation.co.uk
Natural insulation
made from hemp fibre and recycled cotton, available in batts.
- Knauf Insulation
-www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
leading manufacturer
of Crown glasswool, Rocksilk rock mineral wool and extruded polystyrene
and polyethylene insulation products. Free online SAP calculator
(requires registration).
- Passive House
-www.passivehouse.co.uk
Suppliers of Igloo external
wall insulation and va-Q-tec vacuum insulation panels.
- Rockwool -www.rockwool.co.uk
Produce
full and partial cavity fill mineral fibre batts, blown rockwool
fibre for cavity walls and Flexi rockwool batt for timber studs.
Publish a useful guide on complying with Part L of the building
Regs.
- Second Nature
-www.secondnatureuk.com
Manufacturers of Thermafleece
-thermal insulation from British hill sheeps wool.
- Sig Insulations
-www.siginsulations.co.uk
Insulation, dry lining
and related products for construction and industry.
- Steico -www.steico.com
German
company manufacturing Canaflex flexible insulation from hemp
fibre.
Other useful
sources of information:
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