CE71

Insulation materials chart

– thermal properties and
environmental ratings
 Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings
Home energy use is responsible for 27 per cent of UK carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to climate change. By
following The Energy Saving Trust’s best practice standards, new build and refurbished housing will be more energy efficient
– reducing these emissions and saving energy, money and the environment.

Key to environmental ratings1 Thermal resistance

of insulation materials
The thermal resistance (R) of an insulation layer is calculated from:
Green Guide A rating where l is the thickness in metres and
Green Guide B rating l is the thermal conductivity in W/mK

Green Guide C rating To compare two insulants with different thickness and thermal conductivity, calculate the
value of R for each. The one with the higher value gives the better thermal performance.
Not yet assessed

Thermal conductivity2 (W/mK)

Insulation materials3
0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) with CO2

Polyurethane (PU) with pentane

Foil-faced polyurethane (PU) with pentane

Polyurethane (PU) with CO2

Polyisocyanurate (PIR)

Foil-faced polyisocyanurate (PIR)

Polyester fibre

Phenolic foam (PF)

Foil-faced phenolic foam (PF)

Mineral wool (glass) [G 160kg/m3]

Mineral wool (glass) [ > 160kg/m3]

Mineral wool (glass) [G 150kg/m3]

Mineral wool (glass) [ > 150kg/m3]

Sheep’s wool

Cotton

Cellulose fibre (recycled)

Cork

Vermiculite

Perlite (expanded) board

Wood fibre (WF)

Cellular glass (CG)

Straw Bale

0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06

1 The environmental ratings of different types of insulation (with A being the best) have been taken from the latest assessments in BRE’s Green Guide to
Specification. Using Life Cycle Assessment, the impacts associated with extraction, manufacture, transport and disposal – sometimes referred to as ‘embodied
impacts’ – have been evaluated. The comparison between materials is on the basis of similar thermal resistance, rather than mass or volume.

 Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings

This chart details the thermal conductivities, environmental ratings and typical applications of insulation materials
available in the UK. It is designed as an aid to specification. The properties of any selected product should be checked
prior to final specification.

Constructions

Roofs Walls Floors

Calculating U-values

Insulation on pitch

External insulation

Suspended timber
Internal insulation

Cavity (partial fill)

Suspended beam
Ceiling insulation
U-values of building elements should

Cavity (full fill)

Solid concrete
Timber frame
be calculated in accordance with

Steel frame
BS EN ISO 6946 and BS EN ISO 13370

Flat roof

& block
Panel
Most common applications. The coloured cells indicate only the most common uses. So the fact
Insulation materials3
that a cell is blank does not necessarily mean this type of insulation is not used for this application.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) with CO2

Polyurethane (PU) with pentane

Foil-faced polyurethane (PU) with pentane

Polyurethane (PU) with CO2

Polyisocyanurate (PIR)

Foil-faced polyisocyanurate (PIR)

Polyester fibre

Phenolic foam (PF)

Foil-faced phenolic foam (PF)

Mineral wool (glass) [G 160kg/m3]

Mineral wool (glass) [ > 160kg/m3]

Mineral wool (glass) [G 150kg/m3]

Mineral wool (glass) [ > 150kg/m3]

Sheep’s wool

Cotton

Cellulose fibre (recycled)

Cork

Vermiculite

Perlite (expanded) board

Wood fibre (WF)

Cellular glass (CG)

Straw bale

2 The thermal conductivity ranges are the minimum and maximum obtained
from the thermal conductivity values declared by UK manufacturers (or
suppliers) and those given in the European Thermal Values* publication.
* Final report to the Thermal Values Group (March 1999) submitted to
DG XII of the European Commission.
3 The insulation materials in this chart are those where thermal resistance
is directly proportional to thickness and the insulation is used to provide
the major part of the thermal resistance of the building element. Low
emissivity products and the effects of low emissivity surfaces are not
considered here – these are included in the calculation of U-values.

Insulation materials chart – thermal properties and environmental ratings 

 CE71

Further information
The Energy Saving Trust sets energy efficiency standards that go beyond building regulations for use in
the design, construction and refurbishment of homes. These standards provide an integrated package of
measures covering fabric, ventilation, heating, lighting and hot water systems for all aspects of new build
and renovation. Free resources including best practice guides, training seminars, technical advice
and online tools, are available to help meet these standards.

The following publications may also be of interest:

Domestic Energy Efficiency Primer (CE101/GPG171)
Effective use of insulation in dwellings (CE23)
Energy efficiency in new housing: Summary of specification for England Wales and Scotland (CE12)
Energy efficiency in new housing: Summary of specification for Northern Ireland (CE24)
Energy efficient refurbishment of existing housing (CE83/GPG155)
Summary specification of whole house refurbishment – Solid walled housing (CE58)
Summary specification of whole house refurbishment – Timber frame housing (CE59)
Summary specification of whole house refurbishment – Cavity walled housing (CE57)

To obtain these publications or for more information, call 0845 120 7799, email bestpractice@est.org.uk
or visit www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings

Further reading
Green Guide to Housing Specification, J Anderson and N Howard, BRE 390, 2000
Green Guide to Specification, J Anderson D Shiers & M Sinclair, Blackwells, 2002

Energy Saving Trust, 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP Helpline 0845 120 7799 Fax 0845 120 7789
bestpractice@est.org.uk www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings

CE71 © Energy Saving Trust April 2004. Reprinted November 2005. E&OE
All technical information was produced by BRE on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust

This publication (including any drawings forming part of it) is intended for general guidance only and not as a substitute for the application of professional expertise.
Anyone using this publication (including any drawings forming part of it) must make their own assessment of the suitability of its content (whether for their own purposes or
those of any client or customer), and the Energy Saving Trust cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or other liability resulting from such use.
Printed on Revive Silk which contains 75% de-inked post consumer waste and a maximum of 25% mill broke.