Question 1

1. Do I need to pay VAT on insulation materials?

Accepted Answer

There’s currently 0% VAT on the installation of insulation and other qualifying energy-saving materials in UK residential properties. This zero rate applies from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2027, and includes installation in roofs, walls, ceilings, pipes, water tanks, and more. After that date, the VAT rate is set to revert to the reduced rate of 5%. This zero-rate covers both the supply and fitting of the materials when carried out by a contractor.

Materials bought separately without professional installation remain subject to the standard 20% VAT rate. The relief applies to residential and qualifying charity buildings, and includes related work carried out as part of the insulation installation.

You can find more details in this article on GreenMatch.

Question 2

2. What building regs apply to insulation material?

Accepted Answer

Different parts of the UK have different regulations for building insulation. If your project is in England, you’ll need ‘Approved Document L: Conservation of Fuel and Power’. Wales has its own separate set of standards which are described in Document L1A & B (Wales). Scotland’s standards are set out in their Section 6 (Energy) document. You can find more details in this handy guide to building regulations and insulation from YBS.

Question 3

3. What material is best for insulation

Accepted Answer

The best insulation material for your project will depend on the job at hand, as well as own your personal preference. Mineral wool is common for walls; PIR boards suit flat roofs and floors; spray foam is used for hard-to-reach areas. Materials traditionally used for insulation in the UK include Fiberglass, Polyurethane (PUR), Polystyrene and PIR Board (Polyisocyanurate).

Question 4

4. What’s the best insulation to use for a metal building?

Accepted Answer

Rigid foam panels or spray foam are commonly used for metal building insulation. They offer high thermal resistance and help control condensation.

Question 5

5. What are R values in building insulation?

Accepted Answer

R values measure a material’s resistance to heat flow. Higher R values mean better insulation performance. Product data sheets include R values for easy comparison.

Question 6

6. Do insulating materials need to be breathable?

Accepted Answer

Some do. Breathability helps prevent trapped moisture. Use breathable insulation in solid walls or roof constructions without ventilation gaps.

Insulation materials

30mm Celotex TB4030 PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

Airguard® Reflective Vapour Control Layer 1.5m X 50m

Superfoil Superior Jointing Tape 100mm X 20m

100mm Kingspan Kooltherm K103 Floorboard Insulation​ 2400mm x 1200mm

1500mm x 25m SuperFoil SFBB Breathable Membrane

Soudal B1 Fire & Acoustic Expanding Foam - Gun Grade 750ml

Powerbase MultiGas 300 Gas Barrier Membrane - 50m x 2m (100m2)

50mm Isover Cavity Wall Insulation Slab 36 (10.92m²)

120mm EcoTherm Eco-Versal PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

100mm Knauf DriTherm Cavity Insulation Slab 37 (6.55m²)

150mm Knauf DriTherm Cavity Insulation Slab 37 (4.368m²)

100mm Celotex GA4100 PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

Celotex XR4130 General Purpose PIR Insulation Board - 2400 X 1200 X 130mm

Profloor Excel Deck 31 Acoustic Floating Floor System - 600mm x 2400mm x 31mm

TLX Silver Multi Foil Insulation 1.2 x 10m

150mm Knauf Loft Roll Insulation 44 Combi-Cut (9.18m²)

SuperFOIL SF60 Multifoil Insulation Roll 1.5m x 8m - 12m2

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab 1200x600x70mm

Jabfloor 70 Floor Insulation 2400x1200x75mm

1500mm X 8m Superfoil SFUF Underfloor Multi Foil Insulation

100mm X 20m Superfoil Met Poly Foil Tape

100mm Kingspan Kooltherm K107 Pitched Roof Board 2400mm X 1200mm (8' X 4')

Actis Hcontrol Hybrid Multi-foil 6.25 X 1.6m X 45mm

Isover APR Acoustic Partition Roll 50mm 15.6m2

25mm Jablite Jabfloor 70 Polystyrene Insulation 2400mm X 1200mm (8' X 4')

60mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Insulation Board​ 1200mm x 450mm

25mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

70mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

50mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

75mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

90mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

50mm Rockwool Ablative Coated Batt 1200mm X 600mm

100mm IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

90mm IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

Tyvek Firecurb Housewrap Breather Membrane 1.5m X 50m (75m2/roll)

Airguard® Control Vapour Control Layer 1.5m X 50m

80mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

130mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

30mm Recticel Eurothane GP PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

Everbuild Everflex AC50 Acoustic Sealant And Adhesive 900ml

100mm Kingspan Kooltherm K103 Floorboard Insulation 2400mm x 1200mm

60mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Insulation Board 1200mm x 450mm