GLASS FIBRE AND MINERAL WOOL
Despite the introduction of so many new insulation products the now 'old school' glass fibre and Rockwool products continue to enjoy a large market share. The problems of irritant fibres have been reduced by coatings and heat treatments (searing). Silicone coatings also help resist moisture and glass fibre quilt or bats can be used in complete cavity fill construction.
ECO WOOL
Ecowool from YBS Insulation is an insulation quilt made largely from recycled drinks bottles. Unlike many glass fibre products it doesn't sag. It has a class O fire rating and is completely non irritant which makes it very popular with your labour force. It can be used in roof spaces and partial cavity fill walls.
SHEEP'S WOOL
Sheep’s wool has the obvious advantage of being a totally renewable resource that has some remarkable properties. Not least that it remains effective when damp. The moisture retention and subsequent release of moisture vapour on hot days is claimed to have a similar cooling effect to sweating, though it is debatable whether sweating sheep products in the loft is a strong selling proposition.
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
By now you will have gathered that insulation is pretty clever stuff, not least because it not only keeps us warm it also keeps us cool. So far everything discussed in this article has made the assumption that Part L is about keeping heat in but it is also about reducing solar gain in buildings. Air conditioning adds as much to carbon emissions as heating. The challenge in the future is to keep our buildings within fairly tight limits without expending too much energy. If you think it is a tall order then it is largely because we have forgotten the lessons our ancestors learned. Thermal mass absorbs excess heat in the day and lets it out as temperatures cool. The building of ancient Greece and Rome are perfect examples but this fact is not acknowledged by modern building regulations. Good building design and care in construction can achieve far more than we give it credit for.
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