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

Kingspan Kooltherm K107 Phenolic Pitched Roof Insulation Board 2400 x 1200 x 80mm - Pack of 4 Sheets

ROCKWOOL Flexi Slab Acoustic Insulation 1200mm x 600mm x 100mm - 4.32m2 Pack

ROCKWOOL Flexi Slab Acoustic Insulation 1200mm x 600mm x 50mm - 8.64m2 Pack

Knauf DriTherm 37 75mm Cavity Wall Insulation Slab - 4.37m2 Pack

Knauf DriTherm 32 125mm Cavity Wall Insulation Slab - 2.18m2 Pack

Knauf RockSilk Rock Mineral Wool Insulation Slab RS45 100mm - 3.60m2 Pack

Knauf DriTherm 32 100mm Cavity Wall Insulation Slab - 3.28m2 Pack

Knauf DriTherm 37 Cavity Wall Insulation Slab 1200 x 455 x 85mm 4.37m2 Pack

Knauf OmniFit Insulation Slab 35 Multi Application 140mm x 600mm - 103.68m2 Pallet

Knauf OmniFit Insulation Slab 35 Multi Application 100mm x 600mm - 138.24m2 Pallet

Knauf OmniFit Insulation Slab 35 Multi Application 70mm x 600mm - 184.32m2 Pallet

Knauf OmniFit Insulation Slab 35 Multi Application 50mm x 600mm - 207.36m2 Pallet

YBS SuperQuilt Lite Multifoil Insulation - 1.5m x 10m Roll

YBS BreatherQuilt Breathable Insulation - 1.2m x 10m x 40mm

Multi-layer Air Bubble Insulation SFBA MP by SuperFOIL - 1.5m x 25m

SuperFOIL 3mm Multipurpose Insulation - 600mm x 7500mm

SuperFOIL Superior Foil Tape - 100mm x 20m Roll

Rubaflex Class O Nitrile Pipe Insulation 2m Lengths Full Box - 60mm x 32mm x 10m

Kingspan Kooltherm K118 Insulated Plasterboard - 2.4m x 1.2m x 37.5mm - Pack of 21 Boards

Gyproc Thermaline Plus Tapered Edge Wallboard - 2400 x 1200 x 35mm

Kingspan Kooltherm K118 Insulated Plasterboard - 2.4m x 1.2m x 57.5mm - Pack of 14 Boards

Armacell Armaflex EVO Slit Pipe Insulation 2m Lengths Full Box - 42mm x 13mm x 50m

Sheeps Wool Insulation Thermafleece UltraWool 90mm x 590mm - 8.50m2

DuPont Tyvek AirGuard Smart Air and Vapour Control Layer - 1.5m x 50m

Novia Polythene Vapour Control Layer 1000 Gauge - 4m x 25m Roll

Novia Polythene Vapour Control Layer 500 Gauge - 2.7m x 50m Roll

Powerlon Ultrablock 300 Thermo Reflective Vapour Control Layer - 1.6m x 50m

A Proctor Group Procheck Adapt High Performance Variable Permeability VCL - 50m x 1.5m Roll

Powerlon Air Barrier Membrane - 1.5m x 50m

Kingspan Kooltherm K112 Phenolic Insulation Framing Board 2400 X 1200 X 50mm - Pack of 6 Sheets

Kingspan Kooltherm K103 Floorboard Insulation 2400mm x 1200mm x 90mm - Pack of 3

Kingspan Kooltherm K103 Floorboard Insulation 2400mm x 1200mm x 75mm - Pack of 4

ROCKWOOL RWA45 Acoustic Insulation Slab 30mm - 138.24m2 Pallet

ROCKWOOL RWA45 Acoustic Insulation Slab 40mm - 138.24m2 Pallet

ROCKWOOL RWA45 Acoustic Insulation Slab 60mm - 92.16m2 Pallet

SuperFOIL Window Reflector Insulation Kit - 0.6 x 5m Roll

SuperFOIL Rad-Foam Radiator Reflector Insulation - 0.6m x 3m Roll

Tuffstuff Flexible and Tufftech Pro 225gsm mat (60 metres long & 1 metre wide)

Ecotherm Eco-Cavity Full Fill 1200 x 450 x 90mm

Unilin CT/PIR Cavitytherm Full Fill Cavity Board 1200 x 450 x 90mm