The idea of using insulation to cut heat wastage from our homes and businesses has been around for a long time. But it’s only in more recent years that it has acquired a greater significance, as we’re all being encouraged to save energy and reduce our impact on the environment. Insulation is a win-win here because not only does it keep your property warm by preventing heat escaping, but it helps you save on your energy bills as you’ll need to burn less fuel to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Insulation is generally composed of some kind of fibrous material. In the past, things like fibreglass and mineral wool have been been popular choices and will be installed in many older houses. Where there’s a need for sympathetic restoration of older buildings, natural fibres like hemp can be used or even sheep’s wool in some cases. All fibre insulation works by trapping air to retain heat, but all fibre isn’t equal.
Types of Fibre
Traditionally, there are three types of fibre available. Solid fibres are strong and resist being compressed or moved about. Shaped fibres are breathable and can have a wicking effect to draw up moisture. Hollow fibres are able to trap air within the fibre for more efficient warmth retention.
Natural fibre is often preferred by people looking for a green option, but it can be expensive. Insulation made from recycled materials is another option. It’s possible to get insulation made from recycled cotton and even recycled plastic bottles. These have the advantage that they’re easy to handle and contain no harmful chemicals.
Modern technology has made new materials available, allowing unique fibres installation to be carried out. This uses fibres that are designed with particular qualities to perform well in specific applications.
Unique Fibre
The advantage of unique fibres installation is that it removes the compromises inherent in other types of insulation. It’s made in such a way that it combines fibres with different qualities together to deliver all of the best features of other insulation types.
There are various properties that make it stand out. It’s breathable, so it’s able to retain warmth while still allowing an air flow. This, combined with its ability to release moisture from the fibres, ensures it stays dry and the fibres themselves are water-repellent. The fibres are shaped to allow warm air to be retained whilst cold air is allowed to escape.
There are benefits in installation too, as the fibre is lightweight and pleasant to handle, unlike some older solutions like fibreglass that require the use of protective clothing. It’s designed to be stable too, so it will resist compression and movement over time.
The use of unique fibres allows insulation to be made to perform well in different circumstances by blending the fibre in varying combinations. This means that you can tailor your insulation to specific needs. Different blends of fibre can deliver qualities like lightness, breathability, softness, stability and, of course, insulation value in varying measures, so you don’t need to compromise on your requirements.