Insulation

15 articles

Airtightness & Air Pressure Testing: Where Leaks Happen & How to Seal Them

Airtightness and blower door testing: air permeability targets, common leakage paths, membrane installation, smoke testing
Cavity Wall Insulation: Blown Fibre, Foam & Bead — When It Goes Wrong

Cavity wall insulation: blown fibre, EPS bead, PUR foam; when cavities are unsuitable, remediation for failed installations
EPC Ratings Explained: What They Mean, How They're Calculated & Improvement Measures

EPC ratings A–G explained: SAP calculation method, band thresholds, improvement measures, minimum E for landlords (MEES)
Floor Insulation: Suspended Timber, Solid Concrete & UFH Compatibility

Floor insulation: suspended timber (100mm mineral wool), solid concrete (PIR boards), compatibility with wet UFH systems
How Is External Wall Insulation (EWI) Installed and What Are the Building Regulations?

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
Loft Insulation: Materials, Depths, Ventilation & Building Regs Part L

Loft insulation: 270mm mineral wool target, cold roof ventilation (1:150 ventilation ratio), Approved Document L requirements
Solid Wall Insulation: Internal vs External — Costs, Disruption & Condensation Risk

Solid wall insulation: IWI vs EWI; vapour control layers, cold bridging at reveals, planning considerations for EWI
Thermal Bridging: What It Is, Where It Happens & How to Fix It

Thermal bridging: linear and point bridges, psi values, party wall junction, window reveal details, Approved Document L
Ventilation Strategy: Natural, MEV, dMEV & MVHR — Part F Requirements

Ventilation strategies: natural, dMEV, MEV, and MVHR — Part F 2021 flow rates, commissioning requirements
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
What Is the Difference Between Warm Roof and Cold Roof Construction and Which Should I Specify?

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 Natural Insulation Materials Are Available and When Should They Be Used?

Sheepswool, hemp fibre, wood fibre, cellulose, cork compared: lambda values, vapour-open vs vapour-closed, fire performance, breathable construction compatibility
What Thickness of Pipe Insulation Is Required for Compliance?

Part L1B pipe insulation tables, BS 5422:2009, frost protection in unheated spaces, vapour barrier on chilled pipes, material types (mineral wool, foam, phenolic)
Which Rigid Insulation Board Should I Use? 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