INSULATION
WITH EVOLVING REGULATIONS AND HIGHER STANDARDS TO MEET, YOU CAN COUNT ON SIG TO PROVIDE EXPERTLY ENGINEERED INSULATION SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT YOU AT EVERY STAGE OF YOUR BUILD, SAYS NATIONAL TECHNICAL MANAGER MIKE NEILL… Selecting the best insulation for the job
When asked about insulation, most people outside the construction industry immediately think of loft rolls or cavity wall insulation. It’s commonly associated with heat retention and reduced energy use. While this is an essential function, insulation plays a far more comprehensive role in modern building projects. Insulation works by reducing the rate of heat transfer due to its low thermal conductivity. Materials with high thermal conductivity, such as metals, allow heat to pass through much faster. Fibrous insulation, made from materials such as glass fibre, rock fibre, wool, cellulose or recycled plastics, creates a matrix of air pockets that not only restricts heat loss but also disrupts the passage of sound waves. This dual functionality makes fibrous insulation an excellent choice for thermal and acoustic performance. But insulation serves even more critical roles in building safety and performance. Every insulation material has a reaction to fire, influencing its combustibility and potential contribution to a structure’s fire load. Cellular foam materials, for instance, are thermally efficient but are often combustible, while fibrous materials like glass fibre and rock fibre are non- combustible, making them ideal for fire safety priorities. Rock fibre insulation is widely used in passive fire protection thanks to its high melting point of over 800°C and fire resistance capabilities of up to four hours in some configurations. Another vital feature of insulation is breathability, which significantly affects condensation management and moisture prevention. Controlling these factors is crucial to maintain structural integrity and occupant comfort. When selecting insulation, it’s critical to consider the full range of performance criteria required for your project, not just thermal performance. The right balance of thermal, acoustic, fire-resistance and moisture management properties ensures optimal building functionality. At SIG, we don’t just supply the largest range of specialist building products, we
“When choosing insulation, it is always good practice to take into account all the performance criteria required by your project.”
L-R: Jerome Maambong, Technical Building Consultant, and Mike Neill, National Technical Manager at SIG Ireland.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR PROJECTS SIG Belfast offers a comprehensive range of technical services, including specialised guidance on selecting insulation to meet your project’s exact requirements. Whether it’s improving thermal efficiency, reducing noise or ensuring fire safety, our experts are here to help. Contact our dedicated technical team today for professional advice or visit SIG Technical Building Solutions to explore the range of solutions we provide to the construction industry. Together, we can elevate your project to meet both current standards and future challenges.
also provide industry-leading Technical Building Solutions. Our dedicated team offers complimentary technical advice, from u-value calculations and condensation risk analyses to passive fire protection design and acoustic performance assessments. We pride ourselves on providing unbiased guidance and cost-effective solutions tailored to your specific project needs.
For example, our experts can help manage overlapping performance
requirements, such as combining acoustic, thermal and fire safety standards in the same design. SIG consultants leverage in-depth product insights with compliance expertise to ensure your project meets all regulatory and functional demands, providing peace of mind from design to completion.
T: +44 (0)28 9038 0060 E: salesbelfast@sig.ie www.sig.ie
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