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

Insulation Anchor Plus 180mm for EPS & XPS Boards - Pack of 200

Insulation Anchor Plus 200mm for EPS & XPS Boards - Pack of 200

JCW Acoustic Perimeter Edging Strip Flanking Band - 5mm x 150mm x 50m

Proctor Probond RG Tape - 15mm x 22.5m Roll

JCW Acoustic Perimeter Edging Strip Flanking Band - 5mm x 75mm x 50m

Novia Aluminium BS 476 Cold Weather Foil VCL Tape - 96mm x 45m Roll

JCW Fire & Acoustic Downlight Covers - 200mm Diameter

ARC Cavity Stop Sock 85mm Cavity Fire Barrier 105 x 100 x 1200mm - Pack of 24

ARC Cavity Stop Sock 75mm Cavity Fire Barrier 90 x 75 x 1200mm - Pack of 35

JCW Fire & Acoustic Downlight Covers - 250mm Diameter

JCW Fire & Acoustic Downlight Covers - 150mm Diameter

ARC Cavity Stop Sock 125mm Cavity Fire Barrier 135 x 120 x 1200mm - Pack of 15

JCW Fire & Acoustic Downlight Covers - 300mm Diameter

JCW Fire & Acoustic Downlight Covers - 350mm Diameter

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 150mm - 25.92m2 Pallet

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 50mm - 69.12m2 Pallet

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 75mm - 51.85m2 Pallet

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 100mm - 34.56m2 Pallet

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 120mm - 28.8m2 Pallet

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 180mm - 21.6m2 Pallet

Knauf Rocksilk RainScreen Slab Rock Mineral Wool Insulation 1200 x 600 x 125mm - 28.8m2 Pallet

Multi-layer Foil Insulation SF19+ by SuperFOIL - 1.5m x 10m Roll

SuperFOIL Garage Door Insulation Kit - 6sqm2

SuperFOIL SFBA Radiator Heat Reflector Kit - 3sqm2

SuperFoil SFTV FR Reflective Vapour Control Membrane - 1m x 25m Roll

SuperFoil SFTV FR Reflective Vapour Control Membrane - 1m x 50m Roll

Climaflex Polyethylene Pipe Insulation 1m Lengths Small Box - 15mm x 13mm x 20m

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 76mm x 13mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 15mm x 9mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 22mm x 19mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 20mm x 13mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 35mm x 25mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 35mm x 9mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 42mm x 13mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 54mm x 19mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 67mm x 19mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 22mm x 9mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 54mm x 9mm x 2m Length

Armacell Armaflex EVO Self-Seal Pipe Insulation - 28mm x 13mm x 2m Length