Thermal insulation is vital to enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. It is designed to minimise the transfer of heat between external and internal environments. Simply put, it can help keep buildings warm during colder months and cooler during hotter periods. It is used to regulate a comfortable temperature.
Without thermal insulation, a building would lose a lot of heat in the cold, requiring more energy to keep it warm. Thermal insulation can reduce this energy requirement and lower carbon emissions. It is found in almost every building type, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
At Trade Insulations, we sell thermal insulation on our website. In this article, we will answer the question of ‘What is thermal insulation?’ and address the different types of thermal insulation and their benefits.
So, what exactly is thermal insulation? Thermal insulation refers to any building material used to improve a building’s thermal efficiency. There are many types of thermal insulation, including PIR insulation boards and mineral wool.
How does thermal insulation work?
The core function of thermal insulation is that it is designed to limit heat transfer via conduction, radiation or convection. These different heat types are explained below:
- Radiation: This refers to heat transfer through electromagnetic waves such as sunlight. Some thermal insulation features reflective material to help reduce radiant heat during the hotter months.
- Conduction: This is when heat moves through solid material. Thermal insulation, such as PIR boards, can reduce the effect of conduction by trapping air in their structure. This acts as a thermal barrier.
- Convection: This refers to heat transfer through air movement. Thermal insulation can prevent warm air from escaping and block cold air from entering to regulate a comfortable temperature.
There are many different types of thermal insulation, all of which can be found on our website to purchase. These include:
PIR Boards
Polyisocyanurate thermal insulation boards, or simply put ‘PIR Boards’, are a type of rigid board that offers outstanding thermal performance. Top brands such as Celotex, Kingspan or Recticel manufacture PIR boards. They are extremely popular due to their ease of installation, thermal properties, and great value. PIR boards generally have multipurpose uses and can be typically found in the following applications:
- Roof insulation – which includes pitched roofs and flat roof applications.
- Wall insulation, which also includes cavity walls.
- Floor insulation – PIR boards with higher compressive strength are well suited to floor applications.
Celotex 100mm PIR Insulation Board – GA4100 (2400mm x 1200mm x 100mm) 2.88m2
Original price was: £39.99.£28.99Current price is: £28.99. ex VAT
100mm Recticel GP Insulation Boards (1200x2400mm) – 2.88m2
Original price was: £39.99.£28.99Current price is: £28.99. ex VAT
Celotex CW4100 100mm Cavity Wall Board (1200mm x 450mm) – 3.24m2 pack
Original price was: £51.23.£44.79Current price is: £44.79. ex VAT
100mm Kingspan TP10 Thermapitch PIR Insulation Board (2400 x 1200mm) – 8.64m2 pack
Original price was: £155.29.£120.52Current price is: £120.52. ex VATMineral Wool Insulation
Mineral wool insulation is made using molten rock or recycled slag. It is an excellent choice of thermal insulation because it boasts thermal and acoustic properties. In addition, mineral wool offers fire and moisture resistance, which are added bonuses.
You can find mineral wool insulation in the following applications:
- Cavity walls
- Partition / Stud Walls
- As loft insulation to stop heat loss through the roof
100mm Isover Spacesaver Loft Insulation – 14.13m2 Isover Loft Roll
Original price was: £32.69.£30.62Current price is: £30.62. ex VAT
100mm Knauf Acoustic Roll – (2x 600mm) – 12.36m2 roll
Original price was: £59.99.£55.49Current price is: £55.49. ex VAT
Knauf 100mm Loft Roll 44 – Combi Cut (13.89m2 Roll)
Original price was: £34.99.£29.61Current price is: £29.61. ex VATKnauf 25mm Acoustic Roll (2x600mm) – 26.64m2 roll
Original price was: £49.50.£43.97Current price is: £43.97. ex VATEPS & XPS Insulation
Both EPS and XPS insulation are made using Polystyrene. EPS is when the Polystyrene has been expanded, whereas XPS is when the Polystyrene materials are extruded. EPS and XPS thermal insulation are lightweight and moisture-resistant. They are often used to form an external wall insulation system, as underfloor insulation, and as perimeter insulation to prevent cold bridging.
EPS70 – 25mm Expanded Polystyrene Insulation Board (2400x1200mm) – 34.56m2 pack – 25mm EPS70
Original price was: £68.99.£59.99Current price is: £59.99. ex VATEPS70 – 100mm Expanded Polystyrene Insulation Board (2400x1200mm) – 8.64m2 pack – 100mm EPS70
Original price was: £68.99.£59.99Current price is: £59.99. ex VATEPS70 – 75mm Expanded Polystyrene Insulation Board (2400x1200mm) – 11.52m2 pack – EPS70 75mm
Original price was: £68.99.£59.99Current price is: £59.99. ex VATEPS70 – 50mm Expanded Polystyrene Insulation Board (2400x1200mm) – 17.28m2 pack – 50mm EPS70
Original price was: £68.99.£59.99Current price is: £59.99. ex VATPhenolic Foam Thermal Insulation
Phenolic foam is highly thermally efficient and boasts a low thermal conductivity value. This means that excellent thermal performance can be achieved using minimal thickness. Kingspan manufactures phenolic foam insulation, which you can buy directly on our website.
Kingspan Kooltherm K118 37.5mm Insulated Plasterboard (2400 x 1200mm) – 2.88m2
Original price was: £78.59.£65.49Current price is: £65.49. ex VAT
Kingspan K107 50mm Pitched Roof Insulation Board (2400 x 1200mm) – 17.28m2 pack
Original price was: £344.65.£303.99Current price is: £303.99. ex VAT
Kingspan Kooltherm K103 100mm Insulation Floorboard (2400mm x 1200mm) – 8.64m2 pack
Original price was: £347.99.£289.99Current price is: £289.99. ex VATKingspan Kooltherm K118 42.5mm Insulated Plasterboard (2400 x 1200mm) – 51.84m2 pallet
Original price was: £1,368.00.£1,140.00Current price is: £1,140.00. ex VATWhat are the benefits of thermal insulation
There are many benefits to installing thermal insulation, which we have briefly touched upon. Below are the top benefits of using thermal insulation in a building
Improved energy efficiency
Thermal insulation can help improve a building’s energy efficiency. Correctly installed thermal insulation will decrease the need for artificial heating and cooling, making it vital for residential and commercial buildings. In addition, thermal insulation is generally required for building projects to meet building regulations and standards.
Cost savings
By reducing heat loss, it also reduces the need for heating. This reduction of energy needed can help achieve lower energy bills. The savings can build up over time and help businesses, homeowners and landlords.
Thermal insulation can improve comfort
When a property is well insulated, occupants can often feel the difference. Thermal insulation can help eliminate cold draughts and temperature fluctuations. It also reduces heat loss, keeping the occupants at a comfortable temperature.
Noise reduction
Mineral wool boasts thermal and acoustic properties. Its acoustic performance can reduce sound transmission between floors and rooms. Installing mineral wool may also help a building conform to Document E of UK building regulations.
Enviromental benefits
Many insulation manufacturers use recycled materials and take a sustainable approach to reducing carbon emissions. Installing insulation will also have environmental benefits due to the reduction of energy needed for heating and cooling.
Buy Thermal Insulation
If you want to buy thermal insulation, you can find a full range on our website. We stock a wide variety of different types and brands. At Trade Insulations, we proudly offer top brands at trade prices. You do not need to be in the trade to benefit from our low prices.
Browse our extensive collection of insulation online and place your order in minutes. There is a reason why our customers love us.