Are Insulation Rolls Right For You?

Popularly used for loft insulation, thermal insulation rolls are available for use throughout a building. Made from a variety of materials like fibreglass, mineral wool, and sheep's wool, insulation rolls can limit the transfer of heat within a building. There are also specialist insulation rolls, which can come with foil facings designed for roof insulation, or with acoustic insulation properties perfect for internal wall insulation. Insulation rolls are one of the most popular commercial choices, alongside insulation boards and insulation slabs.

What is an Insulation Roll?

Insulation rolls are a type of blanket insulation, which can be used throughout a building project. They are soft and flexible and can be cut to size with a utility knife to fit within the desired area, attaching them in place with staples or other fixings.

Is There a Standard Size of Insulation Roll?

There isn’t a standard size for thermal insulation rolls, with manufacturers offering products in a range of lengths, widths, and thicknesses. This means that when calculating the amount of insulation roll needed for a project, you should always base your projections on the specific dimensions of the roll you are using, which may vary considerably.

Where Are Insulation Rolls Used?

Insulation rolls are most commonly used as loft insulation, either between the wooden joists or on top of them depending on the level of insulation installed. Insulation rolls can also be used in a variety of other places. They can be used as stud wall insulation, allowing them to be used as both dividing wall and solid wall insulation. This will not allow them to be used as external wall insulation, as they can only be attached to the internal facing. 

They can also be used as suspended timber floor insulation, using nets to hold lengths of insulation in place. There are also specialist insulation rolls that can be used within a steel frame wall during construction. Another option is foil-layered insulation for roofs. A benefit of insulation rolls over other materials is the comparatively long length of flexible rolls. This means that they can offer full coverage of a longer space, such as the joists of a loft.

Types of Insulation Roll

There are a variety of thermal insulation rolls available, with some specifically designed for one area of a building, and others designed to work within many different areas.

Foil Insulation Rolls

Reflective foil-backed insulation rolls are available for use within lofts, floors, attics, and internal walls. This is flexible and easy to install. These thin insulation rolls can reflect heat back into the room, alongside more traditional insulation, with their design limiting both the conduction and conversion of heat. 

Especially when installed as pitched roof insulation, a foil insulation roll can be very effective at keeping heat within a building. Some foil insulation rolls also include vapour barriers, helping to lower the risk of dampness. A foil-backed thin insulation roll will also help to keep a building cooler during the summer months.

View All Foil Insulation Rolls

Steel Frame Insulation Rolls

There are insulation roll options that can be used within the external walls of a steel frame construction. These offer both thermal and sound insulation within an industrial property.

Acoustic Insulation Rolls

Useful for internal stud wall insulation in shared properties, acoustic insulation rolls can limit the sound passing through a wall. For the separating floors and walls of a block of flats, or any building with noisy areas, acoustic roll insulation can offer a marked improvement in quality of life. There are also options for closed-cell foam roll insulation that can offer acoustic insulation.

View All Acoustic Insulation

Fibreglass Insulation Rolls

Fibreglass insulation, sometimes called glass wool or glass mineral wool, is offered as a roll that can be used throughout a building project. Made from glass fibres spun into a roll, fibreglass will trap heat within small pockets, resisting heat loss when installed in a building. As fibreglass is made from recycled glass it can have the added benefit of being environmentally conscious.

Mineral Wool Insulation Rolls

Mineral wool insulation rolls are typically made from stone wool or slag wool, spun into insulating rolls of material. These flexible rolls can be used throughout a property, but will commonly be used as loft insulation, installed between the joists. They can also be used as floor insulation in properties with suspended timber floors. Mineral wool boasts great fire-resistant properties.

View All Insulation Rolls

Sheep’s Wool Insulation Rolls

A high-performance natural insulator, sheep’s wool is used to make flexible rolls. Sheep’s wool offers both thermal and acoustic insulation throughout a property and is an environmentally conscious option.

Who Manufactures Insulation Rolls?

There are several manufacturers making insulation rolls for use throughout a building project. Thermafleece produces a range of both sheep’s wool and recycled insulation rolls, that can be used within a loft or a stud wall. Knauf produces mineral wool insulation rolls for use as loft insulation. 

Other brands making mineral wool loft rolls include Rockwool and Isover. YBS produces a range of foil-backed insulation rolls that can be used within a roof. When looking for insulation rolls, you should consider both the thermal and fire performance they offer, especially if the building you are installing within has any specific fire risks.

Need Quality Insulation Rolls?

View All Insulation Rolls