VIEWPOINT INSULATION ISN’T
JUST FOR WINTER Matt Neary, sales director Knauf Insulation
WHEN MAKING THE case for insulation to customers, it’s natural for merchants to focus on its benefits in terms of energy savings and increased comfort, especially in the colder months. But the right materials or products can offer more, protection from overheating in summer for example, and improved indoor air quality. Understanding these advantages provides an opportunity for merchants to offer added value to customers.
Managing overheating Overheating in homes is no longer a rare occurrence. Estimates suggest that by the mid-2030s, around 90% of homes could be affected. In this context, insulation is an essential tool for stabilising indoor temperatures. A well-insulated thermal
envelope, installed with airtightness and continuity in mind, will work to maintain a stable internal environment in both summer and winter months. This is particularly effective when combined with passive cooling measures, such as shading and ventilation. Mechanical cooling systems may still be necessary in some cases, but their efficiency and cost-effectiveness are significantly improved when the building fabric performs well.
Improving indoor air Mould is one of the most common causes of poor indoor air quality. As with overheating, insulation needs to be combined with ventilation to effectively minimise the condensation that mould requires to flourish.
Well-insulated walls retain heat during colder months, reducing surface condensation and the likelihood of mould. Air gaps or discontinuities in the thermal envelope can also lead to cold spots where condensation
November 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
forms more easily. A continuous, properly installed insulation layer ensures surface temperatures remain consistent and discourages moisture build-up.
It’s also important to consider the material or product itself when thinking about indoor air quality. Construction products can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases that can cause a variety of acute health symptoms for building occupants. By using products with low VOCs, your customers can help to mitigate some of the potential risks of harmful chemicals. For example, Knauf Insulation’s glass mineral wool range uses ECOSE, a unique plant-based binder that is low-VOC and contains no added formaldehyde. As a result, these products have been awarded Eurofins Gold Certification for indoor air quality.
Simplifying fire safety Updates made in 2018 to Approved Document B Building Regulation guidance mean that non-combustible materials must be used in certain external wall system build-ups, on all residential buildings between 11m and 18m in height. However, many local authorities, insurers and clients have gone further, requiring non- combustible insulation as standard. This trend reflects a risk-averse approach that aims to design out fire risk wherever possible.
All CE or UKCA marked products are given a Euroclass reaction to fire classification that indicates the extent to which a product will contribute to the spread of fire, emit smoke or produce flaming droplets. The classification ranges from F, easily flammable, to A1, non- combustible.
Any insulation rated either A1 or A2-s1,d0 is considered non-combustible and will not significantly contribute to the spread of fire, nor produce significant smoke or flaming droplets. For example, all Knauf Insulation glass mineral wool and rock mineral wool products are non-combustible, with a Euroclass A1 or A2-s1,d0 reaction to fire classification. Although materials such as mineral wool might
have a typical rating, it’s crucial to check the actual rating for individual products as these can vary.
As the UK population grows and becomes more urbanised, noise pollution is expected to increase. This has been compounded by an increase in rainfall in the past two decades, with predictions that future rainfall could be 20% heavier in the summer and 25% heavier in the winter. Buildings are going to need acoustic insulation.
The good news is that it’s possible for customers to find solutions that offer acoustic, thermal and fire performance, such as mineral wool. High-density glass mineral wool and rock mineral wool both add mass to the build-up, but the most significant quality they have for sound absorption is the random orientation of the fibres. This structure efficiently traps sound waves and converts them to heat. There is a common misconception that only rock mineral wool is suitable for acoustic insulation, but glass mineral wool can achieve comparable levels of performance and is more suitable for certain applications. By repositioning insulation as a multi-functional, year-round solution, merchants can better serve their customers, strengthen their role as trusted advisors, and ultimately grow their business. BMJ
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