Insulation

25 articles

• Airtightness Testing UK: Where Leaks Happen & How to Seal
  Airtightness and blower door testing: air permeability targets, common leakage paths, membrane installation, smoke testing
• Breathable Membranes: HR vs LR Grade Selection Guide UK
• Cavity Wall Insulation Problems: When CWI Goes Wrong UK
  Cavity wall insulation: blown fibre, EPS bead, PUR foam; when cavities are unsuitable, remediation for failed installations
• Cavity Wall Insulation Types: Mineral Wool vs EPS vs PIR
  Mineral wool vs EPS bead vs phenolic full-fill board; λ values; exposure-zone suitability (driven rain); retrofit injection vs new-build batts; Part L target U-values; PAS 2035; complements u-value-calculator
• EPC Ratings Explained: A–G Bands & How to Improve UK
  EPC ratings A–G explained: SAP calculation method, band thresholds, improvement measures, minimum E for landlords (MEES)
• External Wall Insulation: UK Building Regs & Install Guide
  EPS/mineral wool/phenolic EWI: U-value targets (0.30 W/m²K existing), PAS 2030/2035 for funded work, fire performance over 18m, SWIGA/CIGA guarantees, detailing at openings
• Floor Insulation UK: Suspended Timber & Solid Concrete Guide
  Floor insulation: suspended timber (100mm mineral wool), solid concrete (PIR boards), compatibility with wet UFH systems
• Insulation Board Types: PIR, EPS, Mineral Wool
  UK rigid insulation: PIR 0.020–0.023 W/m·K Euroclass F; phenolic 0.018–0.021 W/m·K; EPS 0.030–0.038 W/m·K Euroclass E; mineral wool 0.032–0.044 W/m·K Euroclass A1/A2; XPS for below DPC; selection by Part B/L
• Interstitial Condensation: Prevention Guide UK
• Loft Insulation Depth UK: Part L Requirements & Materials
  Loft insulation: 270mm mineral wool target, cold roof ventilation (1:150 ventilation ratio), Approved Document L requirements
• Loft Insulation Types UK: Mineral Wool vs Foam Guide 2024
  Mineral wool 270-300mm to 0.16 W/m²K; blown cellulose; spray foam (open/closed cell) and mortgage-lending caveat; cold vs warm loft; ventilation to avoid condensation; ECO4/GBIS grants; PAS 2035
• MVHR Installation Guide: Heat Recovery Ventilation & Part F
  MVHR installation: Part F 2021 System 4, ≥85% heat recovery new build, ducting sizing and routing, balanced commissioning ±10%, F7/G4 filter classes, summer bypass, SFP ≤0.8 W/(L/s); SAP Appendix Q certification
• Natural Insulation Materials UK: Types & When to Use
  Sheepswool, hemp fibre, wood fibre, cellulose, cork compared: lambda values, vapour-open vs vapour-closed, fire performance, breathable construction compatibility
• Pipe Insulation Thickness UK: BS 5422 Compliance Guide
  Part L1B pipe insulation tables, BS 5422:2009, frost protection in unheated spaces, vapour barrier on chilled pipes, material types (mineral wool, foam, phenolic)
• Rigid Insulation Board Guide: PIR vs EPS vs XPS vs Phenolic
  PIR (~0.022), EPS (~0.032), XPS (~0.034), phenolic (~0.020 W/m·K) compared: compressive strength, moisture resistance, fire performance, applications and BBA certificates
• Secondary Glazing UK: U-Values, Listed Buildings & Retrofit
  Internal pane, original window kept; ~1.7-2.0 U-value, up to ~45-50dB acoustic (wider gap = better); thermal gap ~20mm, acoustic 100-200mm; PD but listed building consent may still apply; Historic England favours it
• Solid Wall Insulation UK: Internal vs External Guide
  Solid wall insulation: IWI vs EWI; vapour control layers, cold bridging at reveals, planning considerations for EWI
• Spray Foam Insulation and Mortgage Problems: What Lenders Say
  Spray foam (esp. closed-cell to roof underside) causing mortgage/remortgage/equity-release refusals; not banned but a valuation/survey red flag; open vs closed cell, removal £1.5-4.5k; RICS, PAS 2035
• Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): U-Values & UK Guide
• Thermal Bridging: What It Is & How to Fix It UK
  Thermal bridging: linear and point bridges, psi values, party wall junction, window reveal details, Approved Document L
• Vapour Control Layers: Sd Values & Positioning BS EN ISO 13788
  Sd values (barrier ≥100m, VCL 2-100m, breathable ≤0.3m); warm-side-tight/cold-side-open ~5:1; no double barrier; BS 5250 / BS EN ISO 13788 Glaser; intelligent VCLs for retrofit; sealed laps/AVCL
• Ventilation Strategy Part F: Natural, MEV, dMEV & MVHR
  Ventilation strategies: natural, dMEV, MEV, and MVHR — Part F 2021 flow rates, commissioning requirements
• Warm Roof vs Cold Roof: Which to Specify? BS 6229
  Cold roof (insulation at ceiling, 50mm ventilated void) vs warm roof (insulation above deck), BS 6229, 1:150 ventilation ratio, condensation risk, Part L compliance
• What Are the Options and Risks of Internal Wall Insulation?
  IWI types (PIR, stud frame, cork, woodfibre), condensation risk at joist ends, VCL requirements, planning implications, PAS 2035 High Risk classification
• What Are the Risks of Spray Foam Insulation in Roofs?
  Mortgage lending problems (RICS/UK Finance guidance), removal costs (£1,500–£4,500), vapour permeability loss, closed-cell vs open-cell differences, Ofgem ECO scheme complaints