A selection of our most frequently asked questions & answers, however if you can’t find what you are looking for or would like further information then please call us on 01768 485050 or submit a request on our enquiry form.
How would I buy insulation?
Our natural and recycled insulation products can be ordered online with the exception of Steico Rigid Wood Fibre Insulation. Please contact us for details of how to order these products.
Email: enquiries@naturalinsulations.co.uk
Phone: 01768 485050
What is the delivery process?
Each of our products has a different delivery process, and the cost will be calculated at checkout. Most of our insulation products will be delivered on a pallet. As someone needs to be present to accept a pallet delivery, we shall contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date once you have placed an online order. You will be asked for a contact number when you give your details on our payment page.
Alternatively if you would like to talk to us about placing an order please phone on 01768 485050
Why Should I use a Natural Insulation?
Natural Insulations:
- Are more thermally efficient than mineral fibre
- Use less energy and emit less CO2 in manufacture than mineral fibre (particularly Thermofloc)
- Are safer to handle than mineral fibre
- Have the ability to absorb and desorb moisture without losing their efficiency
- Can store CO2 during growth (hemp)
- Can help UK farmers find a market for their sheep wool (Thermafleece)
- Can be composted or incinerated for energy use at the end of their (long) life
- Thermofloc makes use of recycled newsprint
What type of insulation is suitable for vegans?
SupaSoft Insulation, NatraHemp and Steico wood fibre products are suitable insulation for vegans.
SupaSoft Insulation is made from recycled plastic bottles, so SupaSoft doesn’t just save you money and cut carbon emissions but also helps reduce harmful plastic from entering the food chain.
NatraHemp is medium density insulation rich in home-grown hemp fibres. A safe, efficient and durable alternative when plant fibre is the preferred choice.
Steicoflex is a flexible insulation slab made from forest thinnings and saw mill residues. It is a high density product with good acoustic properties.
Why does Thermafleece need a synthetic binder?
The binder is required to ensure that the insulation maintains its shape throughout its service life. There are no natural materials available that can do this. Every effort has been taken to ensure that the virgin polyester content of the product is kept to a minimum.
How does Thermafleece react to fire?
Thermafleece will not contribute towards the developmental stages of fire. Thermafleece sheep’s wool insulation complies with British Standard BS 5803-4 for flammability and resistance to smouldering.
How does the thermal performance of Thermafleece compare to other insulation?
Thermafleece CosyWool is approximately 10% more thermally efficient than low density glass fibre insulation and Thermafleece UltraWool is more than 20% more efficient
What is the best loft insulation material?
If you want good all round performance and true breathability we would recommend Thermafleece British sheep’s wool insulation. If your loft is well ventilated and you are looking for a cost effective alternative to traditional insulation we would recommend SupaSoft insulation.
What does insulation do for your home?
Insulation prevents heat loss which in turn reduces the amount of energy used to heat your home and the amount it costs to heat your home. Insulation does many other things such as preventing your home from getting too hot in the summer and helps reduce the impact of sound. Breathable insulation such as Thermafleece can also help regulate humidity levels within the building fabric.
Can you add insulation to existing walls?
Yes. Care must be taken to ensure that moisture doesn’t enter and become trapped within the insulation and wall. Please contact us for further advice.
Do interior walls need insulation?
You can insulate internally to prevent heat being lost into adjoining rooms. Insulating internal walls will also reduce the amount of noise moving from one room to another.
What is natural insulation?
Natural fibre insulation uses the breathability and natural insulating properties of natural fibres to create safe effective and sustainable insulation for your building. Natural fibres commonly used for insulation include, sheep’s wool, hemp and wood fibres.
How do natural insulations compare to other insulation materials?
Unlike man-made fibres, natural fibres are breathable meaning they can bind and release moisture and still be dry. This is a very important property when it comes to insulation because heat and moisture are very closely linked. Natural fibre insulation is better at absorbing heat which helps reduce summertime over-heating. They also provide excellent acoustic performance.
What is the lifespan of natural fibre insulations?
Natural fibre insulation that contains a binder such as Thermafleece will last the life of the building.
What acoustic properties do natural fibre insulations have?
Natural fibre insulation such as Thermafleece have excellent acoustic properties. The acoustic performance of Thermafleece is on a par with the best rock based insulation quilts.
What are the environmental benefits to using natural fibre insulations?
Natural fibre insulation uses fibres that would otherwise go to waste. Each kg of natural fibre locks up about 2 kg of carbon dioxide which helps remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Furthermore, once installed in your property it will last the life of the building significantly reducing the impacts of replacement and repair.
What is the density of Thermafleece?
The density of Thermafleece varies from 18kg/m3 to 32kg/m3 depending on the product. Refer to product fact sheets for details – available to download from our product information pages.
Can you use natural fibre insulation with electrical wires and cables?
As with all insulation, electrical cables should be sufficiently rated if they are passing within insulation.
Can I use natural fibre insulation in cavity walls?
Natural fibre insulation can’t be used in the cavities of brick and block or block and block walls. It can be used within timber frame walls or within a frame on the inside of a solid wall.
How do I reduce noise from next door?
Noise movement can be a very complex problem to solve. Specialist acoustic consultants can help. Natural fibre insulation such as Thermafleece can be used as part of noise reducing measures in a building.
What product can I use to achieve a 1 hour fire rated floor?
We sell products rather than specific systems, all of which are fire tested. Because a 1 hour fire rated floor is a system of products, you should consult the floor system supplier.
How do I reduce noise from downstairs?
A number of measures are required to reduce noise from downstairs one of which is to install an absorbent insulation between the joists. Insulation such as Thermafleece can be used as an effective absorbent material. For depths of 100mm or greater Thermafleece CosyWool can be used. For depths of less than 100mm Thermafleece UltraWool will give the best performance.
Should you insulate between joists or over?
You should insulate between joists and over joists wherever possible. The layer over the joists should run cross-ways to make sure there are no air gaps run through the insulation from the ceiling level.
Are any of your products suitable for pitched rafters of a roof?
Yes. Thermafleece and Steico insulation can be used in all roof applications. Please contact us for further details or see our roof applications guidance.
How do you maintain ventilation at the eaves?
The simplest thing to do is not to push the insulation tight against the roofing felt at the eaves level. Eaves ventilation trays are available that can be insert to maintain the ventilation opening.
Do I need protective clothing to install natural fibre insulation?
All the insulation we supply is completely safe to handle. However, we would recommend using protective equipment when working in a loft.
Can I use my loft area for storage after insulating?
We would recommend installing loft legs over the joists and boarding on top of the loft leg. This ensures that you have an effective depth of insulation. Boarding directly onto joists will significantly reduce the thickness of insulation and therefore the overall performance. Find out more about loft legs
What guarantee do natural fibre insulations have?
Because we do not install the insulation we are unable to offer a guarantee.
Can I lay natural or recycled insulation on top of existing mineral wool insulation in my loft?
All our insulations can be laid on top of existing insulation, even Thermofloc, which is a loose insulation made from recycled paper.
Do I need to insulate my loft hatch?
Yes, something like 5% of heat is lost through your loft hatch, so it should be insulated.
I want to insulate a sloping roof. Are your natural and recycled insulation suitable?
Yes, all our insulations are suitable but with an existing roof you must leave a 50mm air gap between the roof tiles and the back of the insulation.
Can natural and recycled insulations be cut easily?
Thermafleece and SupaSoft insulations can be cut using a straight edge and a Stanley knife, an insulation cutting knife or simply torn apart.
For more accurate cutting, tightly compress or clamp the insulation between two pieces of solid 15mm board. Overhangwhere you want to cut keeping the two board edges aligned. Saw cut the edge using an insulation cutting knife or another sharp, scalloped edged knife and keep the blade firm and square against both board edges throughout. Trim any fine remaining fibres with large scissors or shears.
Are any of your insulations suitable for cavity walls?
No, there is too much moisture in the cavity for a natural insulation.
Can I get a government grant for home insulation?
The answer is it depends on your local authority. Each local authority has its own independent scheme (or not as the case may be), and the only way to find out is to ask. You could also follow our link to the Energy Saving Trust (www.est.org.uk) which can can give you an idea of which grants you may be eligible for if you type in your postcode.