Natural Insulation

Natural insulation is manufactured from eco-friendly materials such as sheep’s wool, as well as hemp, cork and wood. These more eco-friendly insulation materials are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, thanks to their many benefits. Natural in...

Natural insulation is manufactured from eco-friendly materials such as sheep’s wool, as well as hemp, cork and wood. These more eco-friendly insulation materials are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, thanks to their many benefits. Natural insulation is a far greener way to insulate your home, reducing your carbon footprint along with yearly energy bills.

One big advantage natural insulation materials have is that they’re fully recyclable at the end of their long lifespans. They can be safely disposed of without any concern for the environment. In addition to this, natural materials such as wool don’t have nearly the carbon footprint of synthetic materials, particularly in sourcing and manufacturing processes.

As well as being treated to be fully fire-safe, natural insulation is incredibly effective at fighting humidity. For example, wool is a naturally hygroscopic material, meaning it will absorb, store and release moisture into the air. This means your home’s humidity levels and therefore condensation will be far better controlled, along with an improvement in internal air quality.

Eco-friendly insulation isn’t made with any harsh or harmful chemicals, so it’s far easier to work with and install yourself. Installing natural insulation requires very few safety precautions or equipment compared to manmade options. These factors make it ideal for more environmentally conscious homeowners.

We’re proud to work with Thermafleece, a leading UK natural insulation brand. Working from their base near the Lake Dristrict, Thermafleece manufacture a broad range of environmentally insulation products made from sheep’s wool and recycled plastic. What’s more, all of their products also boast fantastic thermal insulation and acoustic insulation.

Benefits of Natural Insulation

Natural insulation has a number of significant advantages over traditional synthetic alternatives. These include:

Better All-Round

While it is true that a greater thickness of eco-friendly insulation is often required to achieve U-values set out by building regulations and emission standards, thermal performance isn’t the only thing to consider. When choosing insulation for their loft, homeowners are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their choice as well as how well it performs.

Eco-friendly insulation materials are highly breathable, which means they outdo traditional options at removing excess moisture from the air. This means your home will be less susceptible to nightmare issues such as damp and condensation, as well as improving internal air quality making your home a nicer place to live.

Eco-Friendly

For decades, homeowners, builders and property developers have preferred synthetic cellular, oil-based materials as insulation in their projects. While these materials undoubtedly provide very effective thermal and acoustic performance, they also come with a number of environmental concerns. It is for this reason that many homeowners and construction companies are beginning to move towards natural options.

Natural insulation carries far less embodied energy, which refers to the energy consumed during the production process. This includes everything from sourcing the materials, to manufacturing, transport and installation. Unlike synthetic materials, eco-friendly insulation has a very low or even negative carbon footprint. Plus, at the end of its usage it can be recycled without concern.

Fight Humidity and Improve Air Quality

As well as keeping your home at a more comfortable temperature, and making it more energy-efficient, natural insulation also helps to regulate relative humidity in your home. This is thanks to the vapour permeability of natural materials which help to fight the risk of excess moisture build-up in your home.

This improved air quality will prevent mould, damp and other unwanted bacterial activity which can cause significant health issues. It will also extend the lifespan of your insulation, as synthetic materials are often rendered useless due to moisture and the resulting mould that can build-up.

Not Irritating or Itchy

Although some people may find wool itchy to the touch, natural insulation does not cause any irritation to the skin or eyes. This is in stark contrast to synthetic insulation materials which can cause severe irritation. This is why manmade insulation requires eye protection, face masks and more to keep you safe while you install it.

Natural materials don’t have any of these problems, making them super safe and easy to put into your home. Eco friendly insulation materials are also much safer throughout their lifetime, providing protection when you’re searching for the Christmas tree in your loft space.

Have More Questions About Our Natural Insulation?

Whatever your question, our award-winning customer service team is here to help. Simply use the online chat feature on our website or call our team on 01295 565 565 to have your questions answered. With over 40 years’ experience in DIY and roofing, they’ll be able to recommend the perfect natural insulation for your needs.