Home insulation will provide these benefits to you;

• Minimize the loss of expensive indoor heating cost
• Reduciton of heat costs
• Prevention of moisture ingress
• Prevention of mold formation, moist patches and resulting paint damages
• Minimizing the addition of moisture heat load (latent heat) in the summer
• Facilitating humidity regulation in the winter

There many types of insulation available today and these can be broadly classified as synthetic and natural material made.

Some of the synthetic insulation materials are;

• Poly Urethane Foam (PU foam)
• Expanded Poly Styrene Foam (EPS Foam)
• Poly Ethylene Foam (PE Foam)

Some of the Natural insulation materials are;

• Glass Wool (Fiber Glass Wool), Rock Wool and Slag Wool
• Cotton Insulation Material
• Cellulose Insulation

All synthetic materials exhibit good resistance to water ingress. All materials with good moisture resistance are also durable by nature. Some of the natural insulations are impervious to water but due to the fibrous nature of the product water permeability is high. Some natural material like cotton and cellulose material have poor resistance to moisture ingress. In general a specialized vapor barrier such as integral aluminum foil, PE film or Bituminous applications on walls etc are required.

PU Foam, PE Foam and EPS foam are all good thermal insulation products. They have three major draw backs and these are;

• All synthetic insulations are Fossil Fuel by products and are non renewable
• All have relatively poor fire ratings even after chemical fire retardant treatment
• Bio degradability is generally inferior
• Have no special acoustic insulation properties
• Rodent attacks are common if exposed installed

On the other hand non synthetic material based insulations such as Glass wool, Slag wool and Rock wool are;

• Of Renewable material (eg silica which is sand or natural rock based)
• High resistance to fire (except the minute quantities of resin binder material)
• Though not strictly bio degradable these being sand based material do not cause environmental complications.
• Show Good Sound insulation properties
• Resistant to vermin, insects and rodent attacks

The non silica based natural insulation material such as cotton and cellulose insulations are;

• Of renewable plant material
• Cellulose insulation contain approximately 60% recycled news print and waste paper
• Without chemical treatment the fire rating is poor
• Bio degradable. Accordingly the durability is also low
• Easily attracts insects and rodents unless chemically treated
• Gets damaged easily with moisture. Promotes mold and microbe growth

However each has its own attractions including cost effectiveness. Synthetic non renewable material is not however encouraged by the authorities for obvious reasons.

• Providing free information to you on the SEI’s HES scheme and the grants available. How to apply for these concessions etc.
• Obtaining the services of duly registered BER assessors
• Provide insulation material and install same to comply with the BER advisory report recommendations.

The cost of insulation varies with different materials, thicknesses, options included, and locations and various techniques used in installation