Know your options >>> Insulation products

There are five main types of insulation products on the market: batts, blankets, loose fill, reflective foils and boards.

Batts and Blakets

These can be made from a range of materials, but they all work in the same way: tiny pockets of air inside the batts and blankets reduce the flow of heat from one side of the material to the other. Don't squash or compress the material, as this will reduce its effectiveness.

Loose Fill

Like batts and blankets, loose-fill products also get their insulating properties from the little pockets of air they contain. They are particularly eseful when getting access to an area is a problem.

Reflective Foils

As the name suggests, these materials have a reflective surface that deflects radiants heats. Reflective foils are great for reducing the punishing effect of the sun in summer. However, they're not nearly as effective at inhibiting the flow of warm air from one side of the materials to the other. This means that they're much more valuable in hot climates than in cool climates.

Boards

These products are newcomers on the scene. Insulating boards can be made from either extruded polystyrene (commonly known as styrofoam) or expanded polystyrene. The rigid, lightweight boards contain millions of pockets of still air, which give the material its insulating properties.