Types of Insulation | Department of Energy

The maximum thermal performance or R-value of insulation is very dependent on proper installation. Homeowners can install some types of insulation -- notably blankets, boards, and materials that can be poured in place. (Liquid foam insulation materials can be poured, but they require professional installation). Other types require professional installation.

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When hiring a professional certified installer:

• Obtain written cost estimates from several contractors for the R-value you need, and don't be surprised if quoted prices for a given R-value installation vary by more than a factor of two.
• Ask contractors about their experience in installing the product you are considering.  The application can significantly impact the insulation’s performance.
• Ask contractors about their air-sealing services and costs as well, because it’s a good idea to seal air leaks before installing insulation.

To evaluate blanket installation, you can measure batt thickness and check for gaps between batts as well as between batts and framing. In addition, inspect insulation for a tight fit around building components that penetrate the insulation, such as electrical boxes. To evaluate sprayed or blown-in types of insulation, measure the depth of the insulation and check for gaps in coverage.

If you choose to install the insulation yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions carefully and check local building and fire codes. Do-it-yourself instructions are available from the fiberglass and mineral wool trade group. The cellulose trade group recommends hiring a professional, but if there isn’t a qualified installer in your area or you feel comfortable taking on the job, you may be able to find guidance from manufacturers.

The table below provides an overview of most available insulation materials, how they are installed, where they're typically installed, and their advantages.

Blanket insulation -- the most common and widely available type of insulation -- comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool. Learn more about these insulation materials.

Batts and rolls are available in widths suited to standard spacing of wall studs, attic trusses or rafters, and floor joists: 2 inch x 4 inch walls can hold R-13 or R-15 batts; 2 inch x 6 inch walls can use R-19 or R-21 products. Continuous rolls can be hand-cut and trimmed to fit. They are available with or without facings. Manufacturers often attach a facing (such as kraft paper, foil-kraft paper, or vinyl) to act as a vapor barrier and/or air barrier. Batts with a special flame-resistant facing are available in various widths for basement walls and other places where the insulation will be left exposed. A facing also helps facilitate handling and fastening during installation.

Work with your manufacturer and/or local building supplier to determine actual thickness, R-value, and cost of fiberglass blankets and batts.

Concrete blocks are used to build home foundations and walls, and there are several ways to insulate them. If the cores aren’t filled with steel and concrete for structural reasons, they can be filled with insulation, which raises the average wall R-value. Field studies and computer simulations have shown, however, that core filling of any type offers little fuel savings, because heat is readily conducted through the solid parts of the walls.

It is more effective to install insulation over the surface of the blocks either on the exterior or interior of the foundation walls. Placing insulation on the exterior has the added advantage of containing the thermal mass of the blocks within the conditioned space, which can moderate indoor temperatures.

Some manufacturers incorporate polystyrene beads into concrete blocks, while others make concrete blocks that accommodate rigid foam inserts.

In the United States, two varieties of solid, precast autoclaved concrete masonry units are now available: autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) and autoclaved cellular concrete (ACC). This material contains about 80% air by volume and has been commonly used in Europe since the late s. Autoclaved concrete can have up to ten times the insulating value of conventional concrete. The blocks are large, light, and easily sawed, nailed, and shaped with ordinary tools. The material absorbs water readily, so it requires protection from moisture. Precast ACC uses fly ash instead of high-silica sand, which distinguishes it from AAC. Fly ash is a waste ash produced from burning coal in electric power plants.

Hollow-core units made with a mix of concrete and wood chips are also available. They are installed by stacking the units without using mortar (dry-stacking) and filling the cores with concrete and structural steel. One potential problem with this type of unit is that the wood is subject to the effects of moisture and insects.

Concrete block walls are typically insulated or built with insulating concrete blocks during new home construction or major renovations. Block walls in existing homes can be insulated from the inside. Go to insulation materials for more information about the products commonly used to insulate concrete block.

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are basically forms for poured concrete walls, which remain as part of the wall assembly. This system creates walls with a high thermal resistance, typically about R-20. Even though ICF homes are constructed using concrete, they look like traditional stick-built homes.

ICF systems consist of interconnected foam boards or interlocking, hollow-core foam insulation blocks. Foam boards are fastened together using plastic ties. Along with the foam boards, steel rods (rebar) can be added for reinforcement before the concrete is poured. When using foam blocks, steel rods are often used inside the hollow cores to strengthen the walls.

The foam webbing around the concrete-filled cores of blocks can provide easy access for insects and groundwater. To help prevent these problems, some manufacturers make insecticide-treated foam blocks and promote methods for waterproofing them. Installing an ICF system requires an experienced contractor.

Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and locations where it would be difficult to install other types of insulation.

The most common types of materials used for loose-fill insulation include cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. All of these materials are produced using recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass products contain 40% to 60% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. 

Some less common loose-fill insulation materials include polystyrene beads and perlite. Loose-fill insulation can be installed in either enclosed cavities such as walls, or unenclosed spaces such as attics. Cellulose, fiberglass, and rock wool are typically blown in by experienced installers skilled at achieving the correct density and R-values. Polystyrene beads, vermiculite, and perlite are typically poured.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued the “Trade Regulation Rule Concerning the Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation” (16 CFR Part 460). The Commission issued the R-value Rule to prohibit, on an industry-wide basis, specific unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The Rule requires that manufacturers and others who sell home insulation determine and disclose each products’ R-value and related information (e.g., thickness, coverage area per package) on package labels and manufacturers’ fact sheets. R-value ratings vary among different types and forms of home insulations and among products of the same type and form.

For loose-fill insulation, each manufacturer must determine the R-value of its product at settled density and create coverage charts showing the minimum settled thickness, minimum weight per square foot, and coverage area per bag for various total R-values.

This is because as the installed thickness of loose-fill insulation increases, its settled density also increases due to compression of the insulation under its own weight.  Thus, the R-value of loose-fill insulation does not change proportionately with thickness. The manufacturers’ coverage charts specify the bags of insulation needed per square foot of coverage area; the maximum coverage area for one bag of insulation; the minimum weight per square foot of the installed insulation; and the initial and settled thickness of the installed insulation needed to achieve a particular R-value.

Unlike most common insulation systems, which resist conductive and convective heat flow, radiant barriers and reflective insulation work by reflecting radiant heat. Radiant barriers are installed in homes -- usually in attics -- primarily to reduce summer heat gain, which helps lower cooling costs. Reflective insulation incorporates reflective surfaces -- typically aluminum foils -- into insulation systems that can include a variety of backings, such as kraft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or cardboard, as well as thermal insulation materials.

Radiant heat travels in a straight line away from any surface and heats anything solid that absorbs its energy. When the sun heats a roof, it's primarily the sun's radiant energy that makes the roof hot. A large portion of this heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces, including the air ducts and the attic floor. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic. To be effective, it must face a large air space.

Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can lower cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation.

Rigid fiber or fibrous board insulation consists of either fiberglass or mineral wool material and is primarily used for insulating air ducts in homes. It is also used when there's a need for insulation that can withstand high temperatures. These products come in a range of thicknesses from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

Installation in air ducts is usually done by HVAC contractors, who fabricate the insulation at their shops or at job sites. On exterior duct surfaces, they can install the insulation by impaling it on weld pins and securing with speed clips or washers. They can also use special weld pins with integral-cupped head washers. Unfaced boards can then be finished with reinforced insulating cement, canvas, or weatherproof mastic. Faced boards can be installed in the same way, and the joints between boards sealed with pressure-sensitive tape or glass fabric and mastic.

Today, most foam materials use foaming agents that don't use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are harmful to the earth's ozone layer.

There are two types of foam-in-place insulation: closed-cell and open-cell. Both are typically made with polyurethane. With closed-cell foam, the high-density cells are closed and filled with a gas that helps the foam expand to fill the spaces around it. Open-cell foam cells are not as dense and are filled with air, which gives the insulation a spongy texture.

The type of insulation you should choose depends on how you will use it and on your budget. While closed-cell foam has a greater R-value and provides stronger resistance against moisture and air leakage, the material is also much denser and is more expensive. Open-cell foam is lighter and less expensive but should not be used below ground level where it could absorb water. Consult a professional insulation installer to decide what type of insulation is best for you.

Other available foam insulation materials include:

• Cementitious
• Phenolic
• Polyisocyanurate (polyiso)

Some less common types include Icynene foam and Tripolymer foam. Icynene foam can be either sprayed or injected, which makes it the most versatile. It also has good resistance to both air and water intrusion. Tripolymer foam—a water-soluble foam—is injected into wall cavities. It has excellent resistance to fire and air intrusion.

Liquid foam insulation -- combined with a foaming agent -- can be applied using small spray containers or in larger quantities as a pressure-sprayed (foamed-in-place) product. Both types expand and harden as the mixture cures. They also conform to the shape of the cavity, filling and sealing it thoroughly.

Slow-curing liquid foams are also available. These foams are designed to flow over obstructions before expanding and curing, and they are often used for empty wall cavities in existing buildings. There are also liquid foam materials that can be poured from a container.

Installation of most types of liquid foam insulation requires special equipment and certification and should only be done by experienced installers. Following installation, an approved thermal barrier equal in fire resistance to half-inch gypsum board must cover all foam materials. Also, some building codes don't recognize sprayed foam insulation as a vapor barrier, so installation might require an additional vapor retarder.

SIPs are made in a factory and shipped to job sites. Builders then connect them together to construct a house. For an experienced builder, a SIPs home goes up much more quickly than other homes, which saves time and money without compromising quality. These savings can help offset the usually higher cost of SIPs.

Many SIP manufacturers also offer "panelized housing kits." The builder need only assemble the pre-cut pieces, and additional openings for doors and windows can be cut with standard tools at the construction site.

When installed according to manufacturers' recommendations, SIPs meet all building codes and pass the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards of safety. 

Fire safety is a concern, but when the interior of the SIP is covered with a fire-rated material, such as gypsum board, it protects the facing and foam long enough to give building occupants a chance to escape.

As in any house, insects and rodents can be a problem. In a few cases, insects and rodents have tunneled throughout the SIPs, and some manufacturers have issued guidelines for preventing these problems, including:

• Applying insecticides to the panels
• Treating the ground with insecticides both before and after initial construction and backfilling
• Maintaining indoor humidity levels below 50%
• Locating outdoor plantings at least two feet (0.6 meters) away from the walls
• Trimming any over-hanging tree limbs.

Boric acid-treated insulation panels are also available. These panels deter insects, but are relatively harmless to humans and pets.

Because it can be very airtight, a well-built SIP structure may require controlled fresh-air ventilation for safety, health, and performance, and to meet many building codes. A well-designed, installed, and properly operated mechanical ventilation system can also help prevent indoor moisture problems, which is important for achieving the energy-saving benefits of a SIP structure.

Whatever type of property you’re working on, it’s important to think about how you’re going to keep it warm all year round.

And with all new homes now required to meet specific levels of thermal performance, there’s never been a better time to consider which insulation type is most suited to your project.

But what solution is right for me? And how do I figure out how much insulation I need?

To help you answer these vital questions and find the best insulation for your next project, at Insulation Superstore we put together this comprehensive insulation guide.

Here’s what we have in store for you

Table of contents:

• Types of insulation
• Insulation materials
  • Insulation board materials
  • Insulation roll materials
• How much insulation do I need? 
• Understanding insulation thermal values
• How to install insulation
• Getting the best insulation for your needs

Types of insulation

The benefits of insulation are undeniable:

Effectively insulating your property can significantly reduce heat loss and save you money on energy bills.

While sheep’s wool and glass wool insulation remain popular cost-friendly options, you’ll find an abundance of choices on the market. Most materials are available in loose bags, rolls and slabs, which are perfect for insulating floors, walls and loft spaces.

Now:

There are many different types of insulation available on the market including boards, rolls, slabs (also known as batt insulation) and even insulated plasterboard. Insulating your home ensures it’s energy-efficient, and you’ll notice a reduction in heating bills too. While cavity walls and lofts tend to be the most popular spaces to insulate, floors, pipes and sheds can all benefit from insulation too.

Insulation slabs

Insulation slabs are a solid choice as they’re easy to install and have the added benefit of being fire-resistant. ROCKWOOL is a renowned brand, specialising in thermal insulation slabs for timber frame constructions.

Its slabs are known to fit with ease on both timber and metal frames too. They also have a selection of sound insulation slabs which reduce noise transfer both between rooms and from outside your home.

Loft rolls

When it comes to insulating your loft, one of the most effective methods is using loft roll. Glass wool, mineral wool and sheep’s wool are all great choices for roof spaces as they trap air which gives them their thermal insulating properties.

This will make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, while also reducing any problems you may have with condensation.

Loft roll is available from leading brands, including; Isover, ROCKWOOL and Thermafleece. An acoustic loft roll is also an option if you’d like to reduce noise impact or protect your home from loud outdoor sounds.

Multifoil insulation

One of the most iconic insulation products on the market, multifoil insulation is a foil roll made up of a combination of sheets, foils and insulating materials. It’s one of the thinnest insulation products available and is easy to transport, handle and install.

It’s also understood to be much more effective than more traditional insulation products as it focuses on radiation, conduction and convection. You’ll find more traditional insulation only takes into account conduction and convection.

Multifoil insulation from leading brands like SuperFOIL can be used almost anywhere, from roof spaces to cellars, and is extremely popular with keen DIYers. It’s easy to install and has a long lifespan of over 50 years, making it perfect for self-build projects.

For more information, please visit glass wool with aluminium foil.

Full fill insulation

Cavity walls are one of the most popular wall constructions in Britain and have been used since the s. They comprise two leaves separated by a clear cavity, which helps to resist moisture penetration and heat loss. Full fill insulation fills this cavity and has seen a surge in popularity as manufacturers began to produce moisture-resistant insulation for filling cavity walls. 

Full fill cavity insulation needs to be both weatherproof and water-resistant to protect against the elements. Our range of EcoTherm, Isover and ROCKWOOL full fill insulation products will have you covered. You can find out more about this type in our Cavity wall insulation buyer’s guide.

Fire-resistant insulation

Adhering to building regulations and having the correct fire ratings in place is essential to any project. There are two types of fire-resistant insulation; non-combustible insulation, which retains energy while reducing the risk of fire, and fire-resistant boards, which create a solid barrier to prevent the spread of fire.

There are also several additional accessories on the insulation market to help you achieve a safe fire rating, such as downlights and pipe collars. To find out more, check out our comprehensive Guide to fire-rated insulation.

Acoustic insulation & soundproofing

Acoustic insulation reduces both noise transference between rooms and sounds from travelling from outside to inside (and vice versa). It works by reducing the levels of transmission loss, preventing sound from passing through walls, floors and ceilings.

Installing acoustic insulation means you’ll see a reduction in external noise pollution, such as car alarms and traffic, while you can make sure noisy films don’t disturb the children’s bedrooms by installing room-to-room soundproofing.

Underlay and foam can all be used to reduce noise impact. Several products on the market combine soundproofing and thermal insulation. An acoustic insulation slab is a good example of this, although it’s only suitable for pitched roofs and cavity walls.

Head over to our dedicated guide on the Types of insulation and their uses to find out more.

Insulation materials

Once you’ve identified the spaces you need to insulate and the type of insulation required, it’s time to think about the best materials for the job. Insulation can be made up of a variety of fabrics and each serves a slightly different purpose.

Wool is a popular choice, and there are three main types of wool insulation: rock mineral wool, glass mineral wool and sheep’s wool. These are all available in rolls so they’re simple to install and fit easily into wall cavities.

The good news is:

If you prefer to work with a more rigid material, you’ll find many insulation boards on the market. These are sold as sheets and can be cut to the size you require, so there should be little waste. PIR boards, XPS boards and EPS boards form the three main types of rigid board insulation, all of which are suitable for insulating walls, ceilings and floors.

Having said that, let’s take a closer look at the various options available to you.

Insulation board materials

Insulation boards are easy to install and come in a wide range of materials and sizes. They offer a rigid insulation system and there is a vast choice of thicknesses available. So, you can be sure you’ll find the most suitable house insulation.

PIR board

PIR insulation board (polyisocyanurate insulation) is created by blending materials to make a single board of rigid foam. It’s the most popular form of insulation and is considered one of the most efficient on the market.

In addition, it’s easy to install, benefits from a long lifespan and is fire resistant. These three qualities make it good insulation to use if you’re embarking on a self-build project.

Find out how the different solutions available on the UK market compare with the help of our PIR insulation comparison chart.

XPS board

XPS insulation board (extruded polystyrene insulation) is water-repellent and renowned for its extreme strength. This makes it a good choice for insulating floors, ceilings and flat roofs.

Its moisture resistance means you’re less likely to encounter problems with mould and damp, while its long-term durability means its insulation properties won’t deteriorate over time. It’s also worth noting that XPS boards can be reused, reducing their environmental impact.

EPS board

EPS insulation board (expanded polystyrene insulation) is thermally efficient and one of the cheapest insulation products on the market.

Unlike XPS boards, water can penetrate it but it’s still an effective insulator. It’s lightweight, quick and easy to install, and like XPS boards its insulating properties do not deteriorate over time.

Insulation roll materials

Insulation rolls are easy to install and work especially well in wall cavities. Available in three different types of wool, they’re one of the most commonly used forms of home insulation in the industry.

Glass wool

Glass wool is made from a combination of sand and recycled glass. It’s manufactured to look like wool and is filled with numerous air pockets, giving it good insulation properties.

It can also help with soundproofing and is often credited for being environmentally friendly, as it’s manufactured from recycled glass which otherwise would end up in a landfill.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is crafted from rock and raw materials that are melted down and spun into fibres.

In fact, this is what gives it the appearance of wool. It protects against fire and does a good job of insulating your home from both weather and noise pollution.

Torn between glass wool and mineral wool? Our handy guide will help you make up your mind.

Sheep’s wool

One of the most popular insulation materials is sheep’s wool. It’s environmentally friendly and doesn’t burn, making it a safe option to use in the home.

To make things even better, sheep’s wool is also extremely easy to work with and absorbs water. So, you don’t have to worry about ventilation issues.

How much insulation do I need?

Current building regulations stipulate the need for at least 270mm of loft insulation to meet the required U-value of less than 0.16w/m2k. If your home was built in the s you might find it has around 75mm or less of insulation in the loft. This was considered to be enough at the time but is now below what we would expect to install today.

No need to worry, though:

Topping up your loft insulation is possible in many cases and comes with benefits. Naturally, it will depend on your insulation needs. And if you do find you need a top-up, your budget will be on the brain. 

Still, if you find you’re spending a lot on heating bills, it could be beneficial to invest in a top-up. If you’re keen on DIY and can do the job yourself, the installation costs will be much lower and it’s worth considering.

You can find out more about the thickness and depth of insulation in our dedicated guide. In addition, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the content of Approved Document L – England, which offers technical guidance on meeting the requirements outlined in Part L of the Building Regulations .

Insulation guide on understanding thermal values

Insulation materials have two values, an R-value and a U-value. An R-value tells you how good a material is at resisting the flow of heat. A material that resists the flow of heat well is a good insulator and receives a high R-value. When it comes to insulating a building, the higher the R-value, the better the material is at insulating the property.

Read more on R-values and how they can be affected in our R-values guide.

Next:

In the construction industry, a U-value is used to tell builders, architects and engineers how good a material is at insulating. In the UK it’s widely believed that U-values are more accurate than R-values. This is because they take into account conduction, convection and radiation too.

To calculate the U-value of a material you divide the temperature difference inside and outside the material by the rate of heat transfer. As U-values work out how much heat has escaped, the lower the U-value the better.

Find out more information on U-values and how to calculate them.

How to install insulation

With so many rooms and spaces available to insulate, we’ve put together a series of handy insulation guide articles to help get you started. Whether you’re thinking about insulating your shed or you have some pipes requiring insulation, we’ve got you covered.

How to insulate walls

Whether it’s an internal or external wall that needs insulating, our handy guide will talk you through internal cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation and even which materials are best for the job.

Read our complete guide to insulating walls.

How to insulate floors

If you’ve got a floor above a cold space, such as a garage, there are many benefits to insulating it. Our guide covers insulating solid floors, concrete floors and suspended floors.

Read our complete guide to insulating floors.

How to insulate a shed

If you’re a DIY pro, insulating a shed is definitely something you can do yourself. It’s inexpensive and can transform your shed into a usable outbuilding.

Read our complete guide to insulating a shed.

How to insulate a summer house

There are a few different ways you can go about insulating a summer house so long as you have the right materials and know-how. It’s a great way to transform it from a seasonal to a year-round outbuilding.

Read our step-by-step guide on insulating a summer house.

How to insulate a loft

From deciding whether to use your loft for extra living space, to deciding on which materials are best for insulating your loft, our handy guide will give you food for thought when it comes to embarking on roof space insulation.

How to insulate a van

Not the first space you might think of insulating, it’s actually an inexpensive way to create a more cosy atmosphere for campervans. It’s not a project for DIY novices, but if you’re a pro at self-builds our guide runs through the best materials to use and how to fit them.

How to insulate a flat roof

Find out how to insulate a flat roof, including which insulation to use and when it’s best to tackle the job, in our insightful guide.

How to insulate a garage

If you’re converting your garage into additional living space, it’s a good idea to ensure it’s insulated. From cavity wall insulation to breeze block insulation, our Help & Advice article runs through everything you’ll need to consider in this project.

How to insulate pipes

This simple job was once forgotten about but has seen a resurgence thanks to our increased focus on reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency. From preventing pipe freezes to talking you through how to install foam pipe insulation, there is plenty to learn from our insulating pipes H&A article.

How to insulate a balcony

One that often gets overlooked, insulating a balcony is important for a building’s thermal envelope. Read our Insulating a balcony guide and find out which products are suitable and what the best practice is when it comes to installing balcony insulation.

Getting the best insulation for your needs

As energy prices have soared in recent years amidst a worsening cost of living crisis, insulating our homes has become an urgent matter.

But with so many different types of insulation and materials available on the market, getting the right one for your home can be quite tricky, to say the least.

The good news is:

There’s plenty of help and advice you can avail of at Insulation Superstore! We hope our insulation guide has given you a clearer idea of the multiple options open to you.

If you would like more help choosing the right insulation type, you can open the live chat or give our support team a call on 692 206. 

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