1. Glass Mineral Wool

Glass mineral wool is made from sand and recycled glass, limestone and soda ash. These are the same ingredients that are used to make familiar glass objects such as window panes or glass bottles. The glass is spun to form millions of fine fibres. A resin is used to bind the fibres together to form a mat of material. The density of the product determines whether the insulation is a lightweight quilt supplied in rolls, a flexible slab or a rigid slab, and it’s thermal insulation value.

Characteristics

• Long fibre, giving good tear strength
• Suitable for temperatures up to 230°C
• Non-combustible
• Lightweight
• Available in rolls and slabs

Main uses

• Loft Insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Sound insulation (absorption) within partitions and floors

2. Stone Mineral Wool

Stone mineral wool is made mainly from volcanic rock, typically basalt and/or dolomite. An increasing proportion is now recycled material from slag, a waste product from blast furnaces. The materials are melted and then spun into fine fibres. A resin is used to bind the fibres together to form a mat of insulation.

Characteristics

• Short fibre - compressive strength
• Suitable for temperatures up to 850°C
• Non-combustible
• Denser than glass mineral wool
• Available in the form of slabs, rolls and mattresses
• High compressive strength

Main uses

• Thermal insulation of flat roofs, rainscreen façades and external wall insulation
• Fire protection, including smoke and fire barriers
• High temperature applications
• Sound insulation for floors and walls

1. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS)

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) is made by mixing polystyrene pellets with various ingredients to liquify them. A blowing agent is then injected into the mixture, to form gas bubbles. Next, the foaming liquid is forced through a shaping die. When cooled, it produces a closed-cell foam that is rigid and moisture resistant.

Characteristics

• Lightweight
• Very rigid
• Excellent water resistance
• Suitable for temperatures up to 75°C
• Typically available in 2.4m x 1.2m or 2.4m x 0.6m sheets
• Can be cut to various component shapes and thicknesses

Main uses

• Ground floor
• Flat roofs
• Heavy duty floor insulation
• Panels and other fabrication applications

2. Extruded Polyethylene (XPE)

Extruded polyethylene (XPE) is made by mixing polyethylene pellets and other ingredients, a blowing agent is injected in liquid form causing a foaming reaction. A conical shaping die is used to shape and form the XPE, producing a material that quickly cools into a flexible, closed cell plastic foam.

Characteristics

• Lightweight
• Excellent acoustic properties
• Excellent moisture resistance
• Good compression resistance
• Typically sold in roll form
• Available in cut component rolls

Main uses

• Resilient layer in acoustic floors
• Flexible edge strip in screeded floors
• Packaging

3. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is manufactured from small spherical beads of styrene which are pre-expanded with Pentane. The beads then expand to over 40 times their original size when heated by steam. The expanded beads stick together under heat and pressure inside a mould and the finished product consists of approximately 98% fresh air. Expanded polystyrene is also known as ‘bead board’.

Characteristics

• White/grey colour
• Lightweight
• Suitable for temperatures up to 75°C
• Mainly available in 2.4m x 1.2m sheets

Main uses

• General/domestic-floor thermal insulation
• Wall insulation
• Packaging and fabrication

4. Polyurethane (PUR) and Polyisocyanurate (PIR)

Polyurethane (PUR) is produced by blowing a non CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) gas (usually Hydro Carbon Pentane) into urethane resin to produce a free foaming insulant (the gas used helps to improve the thermal performance of the product, but gradually escapes into the atmosphere over time). For this reason (and to stabilise the foam into boards), polyurethane and polyisocyanurate (PUR) boards are usually faced with aluminium foil. Polyisocyanurate is similar to polyurethane but usually contains long strand glass fibres within the PIR foam core which is formulated to give off less dense smoke in a fire.

Characteristics

• Usually faced with aluminium foil or glass tissue
• Lightweight
• Good insulation performance
• Mainly available in board form, but can also be spray applied on site in domestic projects
• Suitable for temperatures up to 75°C
• Combustible
• Potential loss of thermal performance if there is a reduction in the foil facing emissivity

Main uses

• Flat roofs
• Pitched roofs
• Partial fill cavity wall insulation
• Domestic under-floor insulation
• Foamed composite panels

1. Foil Faced Bubble Wrap

Standard bubble wrap which is faced with aluminised polyester film on both sides. At least one side must face an unventilated cavity in the construction to work effectively.

Characteristics

• Lightweight
• Thin layer material
• Potential loss of thermal performance if there is a reduction in the emissivity of the foil facing

Main uses

• Cavity walls

2. Multi-layered Foils

These consist of multiple sheets of aluminised polyester separated by thin sheets of polyethylene foam. To be effective, the outer faces must face an unventilated cavity in the construction.

Characteristics

• Lightweight
• Thin layer material
• Unproven as an alternative to traditional insulation products

Main Uses

Pitched roofs in hot climates, to stop heat build-up