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

100mm Rockwool RWA45 Insulation Slab (2.88m²)

50mm Rockwool RWA45 Insulation Slab (6.48m²)

100mm Superfoil Superior Foil Tape 20m

75mm Rockwool RWA45 Insulation Slab (4.32m²)

100mm Knauf Loft Roll Insulation 44 Combi-Cut (13.89m²)

100mm Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab (2.88m²)

40mm YBS Superquilt Multi Foil Insulation 1.5m x 10m (15m²)

150mm Knauf DriTherm Cavity Insulation Slab 32 (2.18m²)

100mm Knauf DriTherm Cavity Insulation Slab 32 (3.28m²)

25mm Jablite Jabfloor 70 Polystyrene Insulation 2400mm x 1200mm

90mm Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Wall Insulation Board​ 1200mm x 450mm (2.16m²)

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

25mm Rockwool RWA45 Insulation Slab (11.52m²)

TLX Silver Multi Foil Insulation Roll 1200mm x 10m

100mm Rockwool Flexi Acoustic Insulation Slab (4.32m²)

Superfoil SF40 Multi Foil Insulation 1500mm x 10m (12m²)

Superfoil SF19+ Multi Foil Insulation 1200mm x 10m (12m²)

170mm Knauf Loft Roll Insulation 44 Combi-Cut (8.01m²)

50mm Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab (8.64m²)

50mm Celotex GA4050 PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

60mm Celotex GA4060 PIR Insulation Board 2400mm x 1200mm

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

75mm Knauf DriTherm Cavity Insulation Slab 37 (4.37m²)

100mm Rockwool Sound Insulation Slab (4.32m²)

50mm Knauf DriTherm Cavity Insulation Slab 37 (6.55m²)

100mm Rockwool Thermal Insulation Cavity Batt (3.28m²)

75mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Insulation Board​ 1200mm x 450mm (3.24m²)

25mm Isover APR 1200 Insulation 2/600mm x 20m (24m²)

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

200mm Celotex XR4200 PIR Insulation Board 2400 x 1200 (Pallet of 12)

Superfoil Heat Reflective Radiator Foil Insulation RadPack 600mm x 5m

Superfoil SFUF Underfloor Multi Foil Insulation 1500mm x 8m (12m²)

100mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Insulation Board​ 1200mm x 450mm (2.7m²)

45mm Actis Hcontrol Hybrid Multi-foil 6.25m x 1600mm (10m²)

50mm Isover APR 1200 Insulation 2/600mm x 13m (15.6m²)

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

80mm SuperFoil SFBA Pipe Wrap Foil Insulation 7.5m

Superfoil Shed Insulation Kit (21m²)

100mm Rockwool RW3 Acoustic Insulation Slab (2.88m²)

100mm Rockwool Thermal Insulation Loft Roll (6.6m²)

90mm Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Wall Insulation Board 1200mm x 450mm (2.16m²)

75mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Insulation Board 1200mm x 450mm (3.24m²)

100mm Kingspan Kooltherm K108 Cavity Wall Insulation Board 1200mm x 450mm (2.7m²)