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Get to Know All your Options If you were ever wondering what types of insulation are there, note that it is not such a difficult question to answer. Although there is a number of different products available on the market today, they can all be classified into a few basic groups that have similar characteristics or similar application. However, it is important to know some basics on each group simply due to the fact that such knowledge will help you make up your mind when purchasing an insulation material. Although the following few lines will help you get your facts straight, we advise you always consult a professional or the manufacturer in order of gathering all relevant information simply because, although some general rules may apply, bear in mind that each product will differ from one another and sometimes even the smallest differences can be crucial. Basic Classification Insulation materials can be classified in more than one way. You could base the classification on their application (therefore there are some insulation materials especially designed for certain purposes while others have much wider application); the criterion could be the material’s U and R values (where there are materials that have high R values and can thus be installed in a single layer which may not be the case with the ones with lower values); you could classify the insulation materials in accordance with their basic characteristics such as environmental impact, fire and moisture resistance, resistance and durability etc. However, some basic classifications of insulation materials usually include their composure (that is manufacturing process), their form and the installation process. These criteria allow you to form some wider groups of insulation products that have certain things in common which join them under the same type. Such classification includes the following: • One of the basic types of insulation is rigid insulation which is, as the name states, made in the form of rigid insulation material manufactured from special mixtures that include polyurethane, polystyrene or polyisocyanurate and special bounding agents that allow the material to settle and form a board which is afterwards cut into the desired size. It has wide application and can be used for almost any flat surface (such as walls and floors, for example) but is not applicable to narrow and hard to access places. It has high R value, it is very lightweight, thus easily transported and installed with nothing more than an adhesive that will allow it to stick to the designated surface. • Probably the most popular insulation material that has the widest application is blanket (batts and roles) insulation that is manufactured as rock (mineral) or glass wool, which is, due to the fact that is very flexible and adjustable, easily installed even into the most inaccessible places such as wall cavities, around windows and doors, for filling the gaps in existing insulation, for pipe insulation…It can withstand moisture and high temperatures why it can be seen in both residential and commercial buildings. • When insulating before mentioned hard to access areas such as attic spaces or wall cavities, rigid and fibre insulation is probably not the easiest solution since it is not very easy to fully cover the area without some parts being left out, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the added insulation. Well, this is where foam and blown-in insulation take place. Blow-in insulation is found in the form of loose fibres (such as cellulose or mineral wool) that is simply blown into the desired space until it is filled with insulation. The same goes for foam insulation which expands once properly places within the cavity for example. Installing these types of insulation is usually left to the professionals due to the fact that the installation process requires special equipment but is on the other hand not a messy job, since everything can be done by drilling a single hole in the wall. • Another type of insulation that has gained popularity over the years are radiant barriers, which are either used as a single insulation material or often combined with other products for the maximal effect (you can find rigid insulation boards covered with a radiant barrier and usually installed in attic spaces). Their main characteristic is that they reduce both heat loss and heat gain, depending on the season. When it is hot outside they will reflect the heat thus preventing it from traveling down and heating up the interior, while during winter they reflect the heat coming from the interior thus preventing it from escaping outside. Beading in mind the classification set above, it is easy to conclude that your choice in type of insulation material will depend on many factors (such as application, climate, installation process, overall cost etc) which should all be revised prior to making the final decision, but hopefully some given general rules will offer some assistance. Visit Insulation London, and learn more about Different Insulation Products and their properties. Buy insulation online for less money, or order by phone, and get the fastest delivery in the Greater London area.
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