The 7 Best Types Of Roof Insulation For Your Home

Is your home struggling to retain heat during the winter months? According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of your household's heat is lost through your uninsulated roof. Not only will this have a negative impact on your energy bills, but an uninsulated roof will be increasing your household’s carbon footprint. This is extremely counterproductive as everyone tries to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

When correctly installed, your roof insulation can last up to 40 years and provide you with a host of benefits. Want to learn more about the different types of roof insulation? Read on below.

1. Most Popular: Fibreglass Batts

This is a highly customisable form of insulation, making it ideal to insulate uneven or weirdly shaped areas. It is also considered the most popular method on the market. Although it is a bulky material, fibreglass batts are actually quick to install and surprisingly affordable.

However, it is well documented that having either direct or prolonged contact with fibreglass batts can be harmful to your health. If you have direct contact with fibreglass, you may experience irritated skin, throat, lungs, eyes, or nose. Be sure to follow the recognised health and safety guidelines when coming into contact with fibreglass batts.

2. Best For Hard To Reach Places: Spray Foam Insulation

If your roof area is weirdly shaped, or has areas that are quite difficult to reach, then spray foam insulation may be the perfect solution. This type of insulation can control thermal heat and water vapour, and can even be installed in the underside of your roof deck. Additionally, spray foam insulation can boost the strength of your property, reduce sound pollution, and limit draughts.

However, spray foam insulation is considered one of the most expensive forms of insulation on the market. Typically, spray foam is around two times more expensive than the more popular fibreglass batts insulation. According to Which, you may find yourself paying anywhere between £800 to £1,100 for spray foam insulation to be installed in your home.

3. Double The Protection: High-Density Polyiso Cover Boards

High-Density Polyiso, also known as HDP, provides a stable substrate for roofing membranes whilst also protecting any underlying insulation materials. HDP builds upon already established cover boards by offering a lightweight, water resistant, and durable alternative. These cover boards aim to double the amount of insulation your house receives. 

However, HDP is one of the most expensive types of insulation, and people that have it installed must be alert to any condensation build up between the two layers. Typically, you will find HDP used with either metal or low-sloped roofs. While already popular with commercial buildings, HDP is becoming more popular in residential roofing as well.

4. Best For Fire Hazard Areas: Gypsum Cover Boards

For areas considered to be fire hazards, the best insulation available is gypsum cover boards (also known as drywall). When installing these cover boards in your roof as an insulation method, you can either create a thermal barrier on the roof joints or over roof decks. In addition, they are also less likely to shrink, require no curing time, and have low thermal conductivity.

However, due to its rigid structure, gypsum cover boards are difficult to install in areas that have unusual layouts. On the other hand, if you have a conventional roof layout, gypsum cover boards are relatively easy to install. Additionally, these cover boards are easily damaged and are one of the least environmentally friendly options.

5. The Environmentally Friendly Choice: Perlite Cover Boards

Similar to the gypsum cover boards mentioned above, perlite cover boards are also fire-resistant. However, unlike the previously mentioned insulation method, perlite cover boards are environmentally friendly and are often manufactured using recycled materials. These cover boards are typically made out of many materials including: perlite ore, asphalt, cellulose fibres, and binders. Additionally, they are easy to install, have a high compression strength rate, and low combustibility.

However, the main disadvantage of perlite cover boards is that they are not moisture resistant. This drawback means that these cover boards are not the optimal choice for houses in humid climates or where moisture could build up in enclosed spaces.

6. Best Natural Thermal Barrier: Wood Fibre Cover Boards

If you are looking to invest in roof insulation to help your property retain heat, then wood fibre cover boards may be the perfect choice for you. This insulation method is considered the ‘natural’ thermal barrier option, and will help keep your home warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Wood fibre cover boards are also known for being non-toxic, they are often made of renewable resources, and can act as a moisture buffer in your roof.

However, wood fibre cover boards are not fire resistant. Additionally, they are one of the more expensive insulation options available on the market, but this is also a newer insulation method so the price may drop over time. 

7. Most Durable: Fibre Cement Cover Boards

Considered to be one of the most durable insulation methods available, fibre cement cover boards are made from a mixture of sand, cement, and cellulose fibres. These cover boards are resistant to most things, including: adverse weather, fire, mould, and pests. If your home is located in an area that see’s a lot of bad weather, this may be the perfect insulation method for you. They also have a long life span, and are less likely to warp or rot compared to other insulation measures.

However, fibre cement cover boards are one of the heaviest and hardest insulation methods to install. Additionally, they are also one of the most expensive insulation measures too.

The 7 Best Types Of Roof Insulation For Your Home Summary

There are a large variety of roof insulation methods available on the market, depending on the requirements of your household. Whether you are constrained by price, require insulation that is weather or fire resistant, or you are simply looking for the most durable option on the market, there is an insulation type to fulfil all needs. The table below will provide you with a snapshot of what the key selling point is for each type of roof insulation:

When you have decided which type of roof insulation is right for you, then be sure to check out websites like Insulation Advisor, who are designed to find the best insulation contractors in your local area for a competitive price.