In the quest for a warmer, economical, and more sustainable home, choosing the right eco-friendly insulation can make all the difference ' with some insulation costs being higher than others.
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From cellulose and hemp to sheep's wool, in this guide, we will be breaking down the best types of green insulation for your walls, attic, and floors to help you find the perfect fit for your home, lifestyle, and budget.
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Plant-based insulation materials, like hemp, wood fibre, cotton, cork, and straw, are becoming a popular choice for the eco-conscious homeowner.
By using sustainable plants, these insulations and their impressive thermal performance (otherwise known as R-value)* are a lot safer for you and the environment than traditional choices, keeping your home at a comfy temperature all year round.
A downside is that some plant materials, like cotton and wood, can be prone to moisture and rot, which can lead to dampness and mould. However, others like cork and hemp are breathable, which helps to regulate humidity levels and prevent condensation.
At around £15-£50 per square metre, depending on the material, plant-based insulation can be pricier upfront compared to fibreglass or foam options, but they often pay for themselves through energy savings over time.
*An R-value is a measure of how well a material can stop heat loss ' the higher, the better for the best thermal effectiveness.
As the name suggests, this insulation comes straight from the fleecy coats of our woolly friends ' think of sheep's wool insulation as nature's cosy blanket for your home.
A standout feature is that it can absorb and release moisture without messing with its insulation, so you can say goodbye to mould and hello to a fresh home environment. The downside is that being a natural product, there's a chance it won't always be consistent in thickness and it can exacerbate some people's allergies.
Cost-wise, this type of insulation is on the higher end of the spectrum at £18 to £25 per square metre, but the benefits justify the investment. With its sustainable sourcing and impressive R-value, many homeowners flock to sheep's wool insulation.
Made primarily from post-consumer waste, like plastic bottles or newspapers, recycled material insulation is an innovative way of turning trash into treasure.
One standout benefit of this insulation type is that it makes use of materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Transforming recycled denim or paper into effective insulation that can snugly fit into walls, attics, or floors, gives tatty old jeans and yesterday's news a fresh purpose and conserves the resources that would've gone into producing new insulation materials.
There are a few caveats. Recycled material insulation might not always offer the same fire resistance as traditional options, though retardant treatments can improve this. Plus, while it's eco-friendly, it might not be as green as some natural insulations.
Still, for the eco-conscious homeowner, it's a win-win situation for both their home and the environment. Price-wise, recycled material insulation, like cellulose, competes well with traditional options at £3-£11 per square metre, making it an appealing choice for keeping on top of insulation costs.
Made from fine strands of glass woven into a texture similar to wool, fibreglass insulation, also known as glass wool, is that candy-floss-like material that's often used as loft insulation, keeping the cold out and the cosy in.
At £4-£8 per metre square, fibreglass is a strong contender that's been insulating homes for decades. This old favourite is often the go-to choice for many because of its affordability and wide availability.
Two of its major strengths are its excellent R-value and its non-flammability. However, installing fibreglass insulation requires care ' those glass fibres can irritate your skin and lungs if you're not wearing protective gear.
Eco-friendly spray foam insulation is like the superhero of the insulation world, charging in to seal and insulate your home in one fell swoop. It's made from a combination of non-toxic, renewable liquid materials that react and expand, creating a foam that can fill nooks, crannies, and hard-to-reach spaces with ease.
Spray foam costs are on the higher end of the spectrum, at between £20 to £50 per square metre, depending on the type and thickness of the insulation. But it's often seen as a worthwhile investment because of its excellent insulating properties and potential energy savings. Check out our calculator to get an idea of the costs you might be looking at.
However, it's important to leave the installation to the pros ' it's not a great DIY project because dodgy work can lead to off-gassing, and in extreme cases, respiratory issues.
Choosing the best type of home insulation is a decision shaped by various factors, including your home's setup, lifestyle choices, and budget.
For example, cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper, is a popular, cost-effective, and high-performance option. But if you're leaning towards natural materials and have a higher budget, sheep's wool or hemp insulation can be appealing options that offer excellent thermal properties and humidity regulation.
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For those living in wetter climates, cork might be a great fit because of its natural resistance to moisture.
Ultimately, the 'best' choice is one that harmoniously blends all these factors into the perfect balance between environmental responsibility, comfort, and affordability.
Want to know more ways to have an eco-friendly home? Check out our guide to passive ventilation.
Most homeowners know house insulation impacts your home's energy efficiency and sound barriers. But it also affects our environment and health.
If you notice your home doesn't regulate temperatures well, amplifies sounds and feels drafty ' all contributing to an extremely high energy bill ' you may want to evaluate your insulation. A poorly-insulated house releases more greenhouse gases because your HVAC system works much harder to maintain your desired temperatures.
To learn about the best insulation options, I talked with Tony Leiner, owner of Whole House Insulation, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with 41 years in the industry. His advice to homeowners: 'Do your homework on different insulations and know what chemicals you're exposing yourself and others to.'
The good news is, we've come a long way with insulation. We're no longer stuck with products packed with toxic and carcinogenic fumes. Without compromising efficiency, here are some sustainable home insulation options that are safe, good for the environment and insulate really well.
A green product derived from recycled materials, cellulose insulation comes in loose-fill or blown-in formats. Treated with boric acid to repel mold and pests, it's safer to install than fiberglass because it's non-combustible and doesn't contain carcinogens or gases.
Cellulose provides a good sound barrier and costs about the same as fiberglass.
'This insulation provides thermal protection, and our customers are happy with the product,' Leneir says. 'New construction is beginning to use cellulose insulation because it is better for the environment and is the best product to install.'
Every insulation product comes with an R-value, required by local building codes, that illustrates how well it insulates. It refers to the resistance (hence the 'R') of heat transfer from hot to cold air, or how well the material resists this transfer. The higher the number, the more thermal-resistant it is. Required R-values vary by region and climate, and in most cases you'll need some depth to meet the code requirements.
Cellulose has an R-value of 3.5 per inch of insulation, so six inches gives you a total R-value of 21.
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Also known by the brand name Rockwool, manufacturers create this by melting basalt rock together with slag ' a byproduct of the copper and steel industry ' and spinning the resulting material into fibers.
The fibers are then woven into batts, about the same size as fiberglass batt insulation but denser. Mineral wool also repels water so mold can't grow on these batts. Their extra bulk also provides better soundproofing. Mineral wool batts are about 25 percent more expensive than fiberglass, however, with an R-value of 4.0 per inch.
Did you ever think those old jeans could someday become insulation for someone's home?
Denim insulation, also known as UltraTouch Insulation, features 80% recycled denim jeans. It's flame retardant and treated with boric acid, which prevents bacteria growth and repels bugs. Denim has properties that reduce the transfer of heat, making it a good barrier and a competitor of traditional fiberglass insulation.
Denim insulation comes in batts so it's easy to install in walls, attic floors and ceilings, and has an R-value of 3.5 per inch. However, it tends to be 10% more expensive than fiberglass insulation.
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Made of actual sheep's wool, this insulation naturally collects humidity in the air while acting as a purifier. It's made by cleaning and drying the wool, then combing the fibers to create multiple layers. Some manufacturers add a polyester adhesive to hold the layers together.
You can find it in batts or blown-in form, making it a good insulator for ceilings, floors, attics and walls. The R-value for sheep's wool ranges from 3.5 to 3.8 per inch, and can be 25% to 50% more expensive than fiberglass.
Cork is derived from the bark on a specific type of oak tree from the Mediterranean and North Africa. Cork has natural anti-fungal, fire resistant and antimicrobial properties, so additional chemicals aren't needed to make it an effective insulator in homes.
Cork insulation comes in boards with an R-value of 3.6 to 4.2 per inch. Though one of the most sustainable insulations, it can be expensive. Depending on the thickness of the corkboard, it will run you $4 to $12 per square foot, significantly more than fiberglass.
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