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

Rockwool RWA45 100mm x 1200mm x 600mm

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab 1200x600x100mm

100mm Rockwool 32 Thermal Insulation Cavity Batt 1200mm X 455mm (3.28m²)

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab - 50 x 600 x 1200mm 8.64m2

GTEC Fire Board T/E 2400x1200x12.5mm

1200mm X 10m Superfoil SF19+ Multi Foil Insulation

Soudal Genius Gun Gap Filling Expanding Foam 750ml

Rockwool RWA45 50mm x 1200mm x 600mm

Superfoil Shed Insulation Kit (21m2)

Rockwool RWA45 75mm x 1200mm x 600mm

Rockwool Sound Insulation 100mm Slab 1200x400

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

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

120mm Celotex XR4120 PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

Knauf 150mm DriTherm 32 Cavity Slab 2.18m2 Pack

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

Knauf Dritherm Cavity Slab 32 (455mm x 1200mm) 100mm

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab 1200x600x70mm

Jabfloor 70 Floor Insulation 2400x1200x75mm

1500mm X 8m Superfoil SFUF Underfloor Multi Foil Insulation

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

25mm Isover APR 1200 2/600mm X 20m Acoustic Partition Roll (24m²)

50mm Rockwool Ablative Coated Batt 1200mm X 600mm

Tyvek Housewrap Breather Membrane 1.4m X 100m (140m2/roll)

Superfoil Superior Jointing Tape 100mm X 20m

Everbuild Everflex AC50 Acoustic Sealant And Adhesive 900ml

Jablite Jabfloor 70 Polystyrene Insulation 2400mm x 1200mm x 50mm

Rockwool RW3 100mm (4No 600x1200mm Slabs) 2.88m2 Pack

VCL 250 Air and Vapour Control Layer - 2m x 50m (100m2)

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

Knauf Dritherm Cavity Slab 32 (455mm x 1200mm) 125mm

Knauf Earthwool Dritherm 37 Standard Light Duty Cavity Slab 50mm 6.55m2

Jablite Claymaster 2400x1200 50mm

Thermal EPS Plasterboard Tapered Edge 2400x1200mm x 40mm

Jablite Claymaster 2400x1200 75mm

100mm Rockwool Flexi 1200mm X 600mm (4.32m²)

1500mm X 10m Superfoil SF40 Multi Foil Insulation

100mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Board 1200mm X 450mm (4' X 1.5') Pack Of 5 (2.7m²)

75mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Board 1200mm X 450mm (4' X 1.5') Pack Of 6 (3.24m²)

100mm Isover APR 1200 2/600mm X 9170mm Acoustic Partition Roll (11m²)