Sustainability in Focus: Eco-Friendly Insulation Options

Insulation plays a crucial role in any home. Not only does it stop heat from escaping during the winter by restricting air flow, but it also lowers the cost of heating and cooling throughout the year. As ecological awareness in society increases, so does the demand for eco-friendly solutions in all areas of life. Insulation companies try their best to fit into the needs of their customers by providing them with energy-efficient and sustainable housing solutions. In this endeavour, eco-friendly methods are the key.

In this article, you’ll learn about the advantages of sustainable insulation. You will also find an overview of eco-friendly insulation materials used at PD Rendering and their properties.

What are the advantages of sustainable insulation?

• During the production process, small amount of energy is required.

• Green insulation materials are recyclable or compostable.

• The materials are non-irritating and safe for handling.

• The raw materials are sufficiently available.

Many sustainable insulation materials excel in retaining heat. They provide a defence against excessive warmth, ensuring enhanced thermal comfort. The heat they capture is slowly released back into the home.

Eco-friendly insulation materials can effectively handle dampness and maintain their performance. This allows for a vapour-permeable construction. Nevertheless, depending on the home's air-tightness, an appropriate moisture-controlling vapour barrier might be required in certain situations.

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Eco-friendly Insulation Materials

Foamed Polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) is crafted with 98% air and is manufactured without utilizing harmful chemicals, making it fully recyclable.

Polystyrene comes into being when styrene merges with pentane, resulting in a solid cellular plastic imbued with an expanding agent. There have been instances where styrene was categorized as a carcinogen, but comprehensive studies have shown that only in extraordinarily high exposures does it pose health risks. Pentane, on the other hand, is recognized as safe and non-hazardous. 

• It's pentane that plays a crucial role in enlarging the granules to achieve the desired cellular configuration.

• As opposed to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), pentane lacks chlorine, meaning it doesn't deplete the ozone layer. In fact, when EPS production releases pentane, it accounts for a mere 0-0.2% of human-caused volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.

• The EPS manufacturing procedure is eco-friendly. Steam acts as the primary energy source, and water usage is minimal since it undergoes multiple recycling phases.

• There's no waste left behind. All the remnants or rejected pieces find their way back into the production cycle. Once finished, expanded polystyrene consists of a mere 2% polystyrene cellular matrix, with the vast 98% being air.

• While expanded polystyrene doesn't biodegrade easily – a point often viewed as environmentally unfriendly – it has its advantages. For instance, it doesn't release harmful gases into air or water. The material, though, is readily recyclable.

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Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane (PU) is a robust, malleable, and long-lasting synthetic material. The array of polyurethanes available can vary widely in appearance and texture.

• Utilising Polyurethane Foam for home insulation aids in minimising air permeation, subsequently cutting down expenses and greenhouse gas emissions. As the foam solidifies with age, it can bolster a building's durability, particularly against external forces like intense gusts of wind.

• Polyurethane is devoid of chemicals that could disrupt the endocrine or hormonal systems. Furthermore, it remains neutral towards the pH levels in soil and water, ensuring it doesn't adversely affect the environment. It neither seeps into water sources nor does it degrade fertile ground.

• A component made of polyurethane can endure for more than 25 years, its longevity contingent on the wear and tear it undergoes. This sustainability factor positions it as an eco-friendly choice, given that it doesn't demand frequent replacements like some plastic or rubber counterparts.

• It's possible to recycle polyurethane and repurpose it. In many cases, recycled polyurethane is moulded into a product akin to its original form. Given its versatile nature, melting and reshaping discarded polyurethane into new items or components is quite straightforward.
  

Mineral Wool

Mineral wool is produced from recycled smelting slag, meaning its eco-credentials stem from its recycled nature rather than the original material. The process involves transforming molten slag rock into fibres, which are then intertwined to create an insulation akin to wool.

Owing to the processing of the slag rock, mineral wool inherently resists fire and doesn't require additional treatments against mould. It's also a superb insulating material.

• Per inch, Mineral Wool boasts a superior R-value compared to fibreglass, reflecting an R-value that's approximately 22-37% higher. With 70% of its composition being recycled content, it stands as a more environmentally-conscious choice than fibreglass, which contains 20-30% recycled material.

• Rockwool, on the other hand, originates from a sustainable, naturally abundant material – volcanic rock. Moreover, the insulation panels crafted from it are 97% recyclable.

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Our company can boast of the Green Deal certificate! This means we're recognised for our commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable practices.

What does this mean for you?

• Access to Green Deal finance options for your home improvement projects.
• Assurance that all our services meet the highest environmental standards.
• A more energy-efficient home, leading to significant savings on your utility bills.

For more than 15 years, PD Rendering has been on the cutting edge of eco-friendly insulation installation in Coventry. We’re a locally owned and operated insulation installation company, and whether you are building a new home or renovating your existing space, we are the team to call.

So why wait? If you're keen on making your home greener while enhancing its comfort and value, then get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation quote.