It’s easy to forget the cold months in the heat of Summer when the sun is shining and the skies are blue.

However once winter arrives, you really need to ensure that your home is as warm as can be and as comfortable for you and your family as you desire.

Insulation is essential for ensuring that your home does not lose unnecessary heat through external surfaces such as walls, ceilings and the roof.

Choosing the correct type of insulation means you’ll be able to achieve maximum efficiency with great results including a possible reduction in energy bills.

 

What is Insulation?

Although most people simply refer to it as insulation, the correct term is ‘thermal insulation’ as this differentiates it from ‘acoustic insulation’.

It is a term that is used to describe materials or products that lessen the heat loss (in winter) or heat gain (in summer).

 

How Does Insulation Work?

Insulation acts as a barrier between areas that are different in temperature such as the inside and the outside of a home.

It is usually made from glass or rock that has been melted down and spun into very thin strands of wool bound together by an agent.

 

Types of Insulation

• Reflective Insulation

Generally made up of a thin layer of aluminium foil which reflects light and heat, this is laminated onto a substrate of plastic or paper.

For this type of insulation to be effective, it must have an air layer of at least 25mm next to the shiny surface so you’ll need to consider its positioning carefully and it’s always better to seek expert help on installation.

Some examples of reflective insulation products include:

• Wall Wrap/Sarking
• Bubble Wrap
• Bulk Insulation

This is made up of a mass of fibrous material which has little pockets within its structure which are able to trap air. The benefit of this type of insulation is that its R value (the unit that thermal resistance is measured in) will be the same regardless of the direction of heat flow.

Some examples of bulk insulation products include:

• Batts and Rolls
• Sheeps Wool
• Fiberglass