INSULATION 35
BEYOND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Paul Barrett of Rockwool explains why housebuilders need to consider insulation that delivers safety and acoustic performance alongside maximising onsite benefits for installers, not just thermal factors
P
rimarily driven by Approved Document L (ADL) of the Building Regulations, making homes more
energy efficient is understandably a priority for housebuilders. As well as meeting specified standards, ensuring a home has good thermal performance also directly impacts future occupiers as they benefit from energy savings and reduced household bills. While thermal performance is a given,
with more homes being constructed in urban areas, homeowners are increas- ingly looking for dwellings that are also quieter and safer. When considering insulation
specification, solutions that deliver additional benefits beyond thermal performance offer an efficient and cost- effective route to achieving a competitive advantage, while improving comfort for the homeowner. For housebuilders, mineral wool insulation is one of the most efficient and effective ways of simultaneously addressing thermal, acoustic and fire protection.
WIDER BENEFITS When it comes to specifying insulation, mineral wool does more than prevent heat escape. By regulating indoor temperatures, it helps a home to stay warm in winter and cool in summer –
AS THE DEMAND FOR HOMES INCREASES, DEVELOPERS ARE BUILDING IN AREAS OF INCREASED URBANISATION, WHICH BRINGS WITH IT THE CHALLENGE OF EXTERNAL NOISE, SUCH AS TRAFFIC
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making the space more comfortable to live in.
From a fire protection perspective,
mineral wool insulation is rated as Euroclass A1 non-combustible – meaning that the insulation will not contribute to a fire, helping to safeguard people and property. Moreover, manufactured from volcanic rock, it can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C and does not generate any significant levels of toxic smoke. As the demand for homes increases,
developers are building in areas of increased urbanisation, which brings with it the challenge of external noise, such as traffic. The inherent acoustic properties of mineral wool insulation can assist housebuilders with addressing this by dampening sound travel into the home. The manufacturing process of the
material means that within it are multi-directional strands of mineral wool which absorb sound waves and prevent the propagation of noise. Installing the insulation throughout the exterior envelope can therefore help to reduce unwanted sound in residential buildings.
HOMES THAT PERFORM Specifying a product that can address thermal and fire requirements while also making homes quieter is a ‘value-add’ for both developer and homeowner. While the performance benefits of
mineral wool are well documented and underpinned by extensive test evidence, from an installation perspective it can achieve additional on-site advantages. With solutions available for floor, loft, wall, ceiling and envelope applications, the insulation helps to save valuable time
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