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 Sound Insulation Slab 1200x600x100mm

100mm Rockwool RWA45 1200mm X 600mm (2.88m²)

IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm x 25mm

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

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

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab - 50 x 600 x 1200mm

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

Knauf OmniFit Roll 34 - All Sizes

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab 1200x400x100mm

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

IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm x 75mm

ISOVER Cavity Wall Slab 32 1200 x 455 x 100mm

IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm x 120mm

Jablite Claymaster 2400x1200 50mm

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

IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm x 150mm

IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm x 40mm

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

Rockwool Rwa45 Slab 1200 X 600mm (Pk 9) 6.48M2 50mm

Rockwool Rwa45 Slab 1200 X 600mm (Pk 6) 4.32M2 75mm

Steico Flex 036 Wood Fibre Insulation Batts - All Sizes

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab 1200x600x70mm

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

Cellecta Deckfon 26T Acoustic Overlay Floorboard 2400mm x 600mm x 26mm T&G

50mm Rockwool Ablative Coated Batt 1200mm X 600mm

Unilin 90mm x 450mm x 1200mm Cavity Wall Square Edge Thin-R Insulation

Knauf Insulation Frametherm 32 140mm

GTEC Fire Board T/E 2400x1200x12.5mm

Xtratherm Cavity Wall Board 1200x450x75mm

Isover APR Acoustic Partition Roll 50mm 15.6m2

Isover APR 1200 2/600mm X 12.2m Acoustic Partition Roll 75mm 14.64m2

IKO Enertherm ALU PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm x 50mm

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

200mm Knauf Earthwool Loft Roll 44 Insulation Combi-Cut (6.84m2/Roll)

Knauf Insulation Loft Roll 44 Combi-Cut 100mm

Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab 1200 x 400 x 50mm Covers 5.76m2

Sheepwool Loose Wool - 5Kg Pack

90mm Mannok PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

Knauf Insulation Rocksilk Flexible Slab 140mm

140mm Rockwool Flexi 1200mm X 600mm (2.88m²)