Insulation Materials

Insulation material

____________ provides thermal insulation, or the reduction of heat transfer between objects. These materials work by reducing thermal conduction or reflecting the thermal radiation instead of absorbing it.

Insulating

The act of covering something to stop heat, sound, or electricity from escaping or entering, or the fact that something is covered.

Insulation materials

Materials designed to reduce heat transfer, control sound transmission, or provide electrical insulation in buildings and industrial applications.

Fire

First insulation in early human settlements.

Caves

In prehistoric times, _______ provided natural protection, but there was no concept of insulation.

mud bricks, plastered straw

Egyptians and Vikings used ________ and ________ with mud between logs for insulation.

cork

Romans insulated water pipes with ______.

asbestos

Greeks discovered and named ________, noting its fire resistance.

cavity walls

Both Roman and Greek civilizations developed _______a double layered wall with an air gap to regulate temperature.

hides, rugs, and tapestries

In the Middle Ages, homes were built from stone with thatched roofs, which were cold and drafty. People used ______, ______, and ______to retain warmth and reduce drafts.

Asbestos

In the Industrial Revolution, steam-powered factories required heat-resistant materials. ______ became widely used for insulating pipes.

fiberglass

In the 1930s, researcher Dale Kleist accidentally created ________while working on a vacuum seal. Over the next decade, this was developed into batts and rolls.

Dale Kleist

In the 1930s, researcher ________ accidentally created fiberglass while working on a vacuum seal.

Cellulose insulation

In the 1950s to 1970s, ________ became more popular once it was made flame resistant. The asbestos health crisis led to a shift toward safer insulation materials.

Polyurethane spray foam

_________ was originally developed in the 1940s but became widely used in the ‘80s. It expands upon application, sealing gaps better than traditional batts.

spray foam technology

Advances in __________ improved energy efficiency for insulation.

aerogels, vacuum-insulated panels, denim

In the Modern day, there are new insulation materials which include ________, ________, and recycled materials like ________.

Insulation

The process of reducing heat transfer, controlling sound, or providing electrical resistance using specific materials

Thermal insulation

Materials that limit heat movement between surfaces, maintaining indoor temperatures.

Acoustic Insulation

Materials that reduce noise transmission in buildings.

Thermal Expansion

The tendency of a material to expand or contract due to temperature changes, which can affect its performance over time.

R-value

A measure of an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow (higher values indicate better insulation).

U-value

Represents how much heat is lost through a building component (lower values are preferred for energy efficiency).

Thermal Conductivity/K-Value

The rate at which heat flows through a material (lower k-value means better insulation).

Conductors

Materials that allow easy energy transfer (e.g., metals for heat and electricity).

The Philippine Green Building Code

According to the _____________, buildings shall be provided with roof insulation so that the average thermal resistance value (R-Value) of the roof is at least R-8.

Cellulose

A type of insulation made of newspaper, cardboard, straw, sawdust, or cotton.

Thermal performance

Factors affecting the selection of Insulation Materials

• Higher R-value means better heat resistance.

• Materials with low thermal conductivity are more effective at minimizing heat transfer

R-value

Higher ________ means better heat resistance.

thermal conductivity

Materials with low _________ are more effective at minimizing heat transfer.

Density

Mass per unit of volume.

harder, higher

________ materials = better resistance to water and superior insulation ________ density = better insulation qualities

reflective

Hot climates benefit from ________ insulation.

high

Cold climates require _________ [low/high] R-value insulation.

fire-resistant

Some insulation materials are naturally ________, while others need chemical treatment to improve safety.

Moisture resistance

Factors affecting the selection of Insulation Materials

• Prevents mold growth and maintains material integrity.

• Essential in humid climates where moisture accumulation is a risk.

cellulose and wool

Sustainable options include recycled materials like ______ and ______.

Petroleum

__________-based insulation can have a higher carbon footprint.

Cost and budget

Price per unit of the material sold.

cost, performance

Balancing ______ with ______ is key—some materials may be cheaper upfront but require frequent maintenance.

spray foam

Some materials, like batts and rolls, are DIY-friendly, while others, like _________ require professional installation.

Polystyrene

Installation complexity

________: Lightweight and easy to cut

PIR board

Installation complexity

_________: Hard and needs professional tools

Mineral wood

Installation complexity

___________: Bad because of it being irritating to skin

Organic and Inorganic

Types of Insulation materials

Wool
Cotton
Hemp
Cork

Organic insulation materials

Fiberglass
Mineral wool
Acoustic Plasterboard
Spray Foam

Inorganic insulation materials

fire-resistant

Inorganic insulation materials significantly impact the environment but are often chosen for buildings due to their ________ properties.

Wool

Organic insulation

PROS

• Naturally breathable, improving indoor air quality

• Absorbs pollutants like formaldehyde

• Hygroscopic, helping with moisture control

• Fire-resistant and biodegradable

CONS

• 25-50% more expensive than fiberglass

• Still relatively rare and costly in some markets

Cotton

Organic insulation

PROS

• Made from recycled materials, reducing waste

• Good thermal and acoustic insulation properties

• No formaldehyde or harmful chemicals

CONS

• Its production requires significant water resources

• Limited availability from manufacturers

Hemp

Organic insulation

PROS

• Eco Friendly and sustainable

• Good thermal performance

• Soundproofing and Nontoxic

CONS

• Expensive and not readily available

• Heavy (needs of extra support)

• Highly flammable unless treated

Cork

Organic Insulation

PROS

• Excellent thermal and sound insulation

• Moisture-regulating and pest-resistant

• Lightweight and moisture-resistant

• Renewable and biodegradable

CONS

• Higher cost than other sustainable options

• Extraction and transport impact eco-friendliness

• Expensive compared to synthetic options

• Can degrade over time

Sheep’s wool

Source of wool as insulation.

recycled denim scraps

Source of cotton as insulation.

Industrial hemp fibers

Source of hemp as insulation.

Bark of cork oak trees

Source of cork as insulation.

Fiberglass

Inorganic Insulation

PROS

• Affordable

• Flame-resistant V

• Versatile (loose fill, sheets, batts)

• Made from recycled glass

• Highly effective at thermal and sound insulation

CONS

• Can irritate skin and eyes

• Requires vapor barrier to prevent moisture absorption

• Inhaled particles can cause respiratory issues

Mineral wool

Inorganic insulation

PROS

• Excellent fire resistance

• Good soundproofing properties

• Versatile (blown insulation, sheets, batts)

CONS

• Moderate thermal performance

• can irritate skin and eyes

• may absorb moisture if poorly installed

Acoustic plasterboard

Inorganic Insulation

PROS

• Durable and robust

• Provides some thermal insulation

CONS

• High cost per m²

• Requires complex installation

Spray Foam

Inorganic Insulation

PROS

• Exceptional thermal performance

• Creates an airtight barrier

• Highly versatile for various applications

CONS

• Highly unsustainable

• Releases toxic chemicals (off-gassing)
  Can lower property value

Reflective foil insulation or XPS foam boards

Rockwool

Commonly used insulation in the Philippines.

Reflective foil insulation or XPS foam boards

PROS

• Helps keep buildings cooler by deflecting radiant heat.

• A cost-effective option that is easy to set up.

• Performs best in warm and humid environments.

CONS

• Does not provide much sound insulation.

• Needs an air gap to work effectively.

Rockwool

PROS

• Resistant to both fire and water, enhancing safety and durability.

• Provides excellent soundproofing for a quieter space.

• Prevents moisture absorption, reducing the risk of mold and mildew.

CONS

• Costs more compared to fiberglass insulation.

• Needs protective gear for safe installation due to potential irritation

Reflective foil insulation

Insulation used to block heat in the Philippines.

XPS foam boards

Insulation for heat and moisture resistance used in the Philippines.

Rockwool

Insulation for soundproofing and durability used in the Philippines.

Blanket
Blown-in
Spray Foam
Radiant or Reflective Barrier
Rigid Board
Structural Insulated Panels

Insulation methods

Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation

Available in the form of batts and rolls, is one of the most common and widely used types of insulation.

It is typically made from materials such as fiberglass, mineral wool, or natural fibers, providing effective thermal resistance. This type of insulation is commonly installed in walls, ceilings, and attics, offering a cost effective solution for maintaining indoor temperatures

Blown-in/Loose-fil

This insulation is a type of insulation that is installed using special equipment that blows the insulating material into your wall or roof cavities.

It uses fine fibers that are "blown-in" using a blower. The filler looks like cotton candy and packs into spaces. It is widely considered the best way to add insulation in existing construction for attic spaces and wall cavities.

Spray Foam insulation

Insulation that expands when applied, effectively sealing gaps and cracks to form an airtight and highly efficient thermal barrier. It is widely used in walls, ceilings, attics, and difficult-to-access spaces

Reflective or Radiant Barrier Insulation

These both provide energy efficiency benefits through their use of reflective foil surfaces to block radiant heat transfer.

Radiant barriers

Single sheets placed facing air spaces to reflect solar radiation and heat.

Reflective insulation

_________ uses multiple layers and air spaces to create a thermal barrier that resists conductive, convective, and radiant heat flow.

Rigid board insulation

A type of thermal insulation made from dense, firm panels of insulating material.

It is commonly used in walls, roofs, floors, and foundations to improve energy efficiency and temperature regulation in buildings.

Structural Insulated Panels/SIPs

High performance building panels used in walls, roofs, and floors to provide superior insulation and structural support. They consist of a rigid insulation core sandwiched between two structural faces.