| Building insulation is done for a variety of reasons. | | | | divided as; |
| Primarily we associate it with thermal insulation but | | | | - Structural |
| the fact is there are other reasons such as for | | | | - and, Non-structural |
| example blocking sound and vibration transmission, | | | | Non Structural building Insulations |
| fire protection and impact damages etc. why | | | | The following is a cross section of the types of |
| different types of insulations are used. Out of all | | | | insulation material available for retrofitters and |
| these, weaknesses in thermal insulation hit | | | | new builders. |
| everyone harder because it affects their home | | | | - Blankets and rigid boards with or without kraft |
| economy consistently. | | | | paper/aluminium foil vapor barriers- (e.g. Fibreglass |
| What Insulation is best for my home? | | | | wool, rock wool, slag wool etc) |
| All buildings are not the same .Neither are they | | | | - Batts of Insulation -(e.g. Fibreglass, mineral wools |
| located in a particular single geographical region. | | | | etc) |
| Their needs too may differ, for example whether | | | | - Loose Fill insulation - (e.g. Fibreglass wool, slag |
| it's heating or cooling that you require or whether | | | | wool, rock wool, cellulosic material such as |
| it's both. (In which case which requirement prevails | | | | recycled paper, cotton wool, vermiculite etc.) |
| longer).The following information gives a better | | | | - Sprayed foams - (e.g, Polyurethane foams, |
| idea to plan this out. | | | | expanded polystyrene foam etc.) |
| - Climate prevailing at the site | | | | - Reflective Insulation and radiant barriers- (e.g. |
| - Space temperature you would be happy | | | | stand alone kraft paper backed aluminium foil or |
| with.(low temperature setting will cause lesser loss | | | | plain aluminium foil etc.) |
| of heat) | | | | Structural Building insulations |
| - Suitability, acceptability (by local regulations etc) | | | | - Rigid Panels - (e.g. composite Outsulation of EPS |
| and the convenience to insulate. | | | | with finishes, dry walls etc.) |
| - Life span and durability (some are susceptible to | | | | - Structured Panels (e.g. compressed straw panels |
| moisture, material may settle soon and loose | | | | etc.) |
| profile, may deteriorate faster etc.) | | | | - Straw bales (e.g. tightly bundled straw finished |
| - Mode of heat transfer (whether conduction , | | | | with masonry plaster) |
| convection or radiation is prevailing more) | | | | When you are thinking of building insulation |
| - Building architectural design, orientation, use of | | | | (whether a new construction or a retrofit job) |
| glass in the building envelope etc. (for example | | | | paying careful attention may not be a wasteful |
| whether outsulation is possible, air tightness, | | | | exercise. After all proper building insulation may be |
| vapour permeability, forced or passive ventilation, | | | | the difference of up to 30% of your home |
| possibility to use low-e insulated glass etc). | | | | heating bill. Avoiding thermal bridges (continuous |
| - Toxicity of the material (short term or long | | | | direct paths for heat transfer from indoor to out |
| term) | | | | door) in the building envelope is equally important. |
| - Sustainability, Carbon foot print, environmental | | | | As the currently effective HES scheme of SEI |
| friendliness and ability to recycle. | | | | reimburses significant amounts against retrofit |
| Insulation options | | | | thermal insulation expenditure it is best to look in |
| The types of building insulation may be broadly | | | | to this as well. |