This section looks at insulation materials with low embodied energy and high performance and sustainability

Information from Nature Pro

Sheeps wool insulation
Sheeps wool insulation is a natural insulation product available in batts and rolls for use in timber frame walls and loft application.   Sheeps wool insulation is a completely sustainable, renewable resource. What's more, its natural insulating properties mean in the summer it releases moisture providing a cooling effect inside the building, while in the winter moisture absorption has the opposite warming effect.

Application
Can be used for roofs, walls and floors
Cut to shape with a sharp blade
No irritating fibres
Preferably used in conjunction with a
vapour permeable membrane
Benefits

• Good thermal insulation properties
• Obtained from a renewable resource
• Helps to reduce condensation by absorbing and releasing moisture
• Easy and safe to install with no irritating fibres
• Easily recyclable
• Sustainable, re-newable, natural resource

Dimensions
Normal stock: batts 1.2m x 0.575m, 100mm thick
Also available in rolls and other thicknesses on request
Properties

• K value 0.040 W/mK
• Water absorption at 100%RH 40%
• Resistant to mould and insects
• Flame resistance BS 5803 Parts 3 and 4
• Good sound absorbing properties
• Thermally bonded to maintain stability
• Zero GWP

Hemp insulation batts are a natural insulation product for use in timber frame walls and loft applications. Hemp fibres are produced from hemp straw of the hemp plant and during its rapid growth the plant absorbs CO2 at a much faster rate than, for example, a tree. This makes hemp not only completely renewable but also helps to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels as it grows.

Application

• Hemp insulation batts can be used for roofs, walls and ceilings
• Cut to shape with a sharp blade
• No irritating fibres
• Preferably used in conjunction with a vapour permeable membrane

Benefits

• Good thermal insulation properties
• Obtained from a renewable resource
• Helps to reduce free condensation water by absorbing and releasing moisture
• Easy and safe to install with no irritating fibres
• Easily recyclable Sustainable, re-newable, natural resource

Dimensions

• Normal stock: batts 1.2m x 0.575m, 100mm thick
• Also available in rolls and other thicknesses on request

Properties

• K value 0.040 W/mK
• Water absorption at 100%RH 40%
• Resistant to insects
• Fire rating: Class E according to EN 13501-1
• Good sound absorbing properties
• Thermally bonded to maintain stability
• Zero GWP

Flexible Wood Fibre Insulation Batt
Application
Can be used for walls, ceilings, roofs and timber joisted floors. Cut to shape using sharp blade.
Benefits

• Good thermal insulation properties
• Thermal mass helps to prevent overheating

  in summer

• High capacity to absorb and release moisture

  helps to prevent interstital condensation

• Easy and safe to install, no irritating fibres
• High dimensional stability
• Easily recyclable
• Sustainable, re-newable, natural resource

Dimensions
Normal stock: batts 1.22m x 0.575m,
100mm thick
Other thicknesses available on request
Properties

• k value 0.038 W/mK
• Maximum water absorption up to 20%
• Fire rate to EN13501-1 Class E

• Zero GWP

Information from Excel Fibre Technology  - Building with Warmcel
The vast majority of Excel Fibre Technology's fibre products are manufactured from recycled newsprint (the exception being special grade/colour fibres, which demand very pure or specific raw material stock). This newsprint is collected in a number of ways, including kerBBAde collections operated in conjunction with local authorities. A major benefit to local authorities in operating such schemes is the contribution it makes to meeting their recycling targets.
Newspaper is collected from households in this way by Excel's own ‘PaperSaver' collection vans. In addition, newspapers are sourced through community collection schemes operated by such organisations as the Scout movement, schools and various other charities and societies help to raise funds for these groups that go back into benefiting the communities in which they are based.
Once collected, the newspaper is processed and re-engineered to give it the required structure and properties needed for its end application.
Completing the Loop
In the case of Warmcel insulation, the recycled newspaper actually goes full circle and ends up back in people's homes from whom it was collected - thereby completing the ‘virtuous circle'. When the insulation is finally removed, it can simply be collected, combed for impurities and reprocessed, maintaining the recycling chain even further.
Other end uses that also often end up back in people's homes are renders, mastics, adhesives and paints. In some other applications, the recycled paper is used in applications close to its original source or directly benefiting the people who supplied it, along with local authorities committed to the recycling programme. Such applications include road making and grass seed mulch.
Environment Safe
Being biodegradable and free from harmful or toxic substances, such as CFCs and VOCs or soil contaminants (including copper, nickel and zinc), Excel fibre poses no threat to the environment.
Warmcel 100
DIY loft insulation
Developed specifically for the DIY loft insulation market, Warmcel 100 is supplied in convenient 8 kg bags and can be easily installed between and over the joists to provide complete and even coverage of the loft floor to the thickness required for optimum insulation performance.
To upgrade existing loft insulation, Warmcel 100 is simply installed over the old material up to the recommended depth to achieve the desired improvement.
Warmcel 100 is supplied exclusively through appointed distributors, who are able to provide further information on product specification, quantity calculations and installation.