Insulation Board Vs Roll: Which Should You Use?

Insulating a building is a great way to reduce energy costs and prevent heat loss while improving the overall comfort of your home. When deciding what type of insulation you need, you’ll often be faced with two different types: insulation roll and insulation board. But which is better?

Our guide discusses the different types of insulation available and their benefits so you can quickly decide which one you need.

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- - - What is Insulation Roll?
  What is Insulation Roll?
  
  Insulation roll, or batt insulation, is a flexible material typically made from fibreglass, mineral wool, or natural fibres like cotton or sheep’s wool. It comes in rolls of varying widths and thicknesses to fit between wall studs, floor joists, ceiling joists, or beneath the roof rafters.
  
  What are Insulation Rolls Made From?
  
  Insulation rolls are usually made from mineral wool, sheep’s wool, cotton, fibreglass, or natural fibres.
  - Fibreglass: fibreglass insulation rolls are composed of fine glass fibres bonded together with resins. They are lightweight, easy to handle, and offer good thermal insulation properties.
  - Mineral wool: mineral wool insulation rolls are made from molten rock (rock wool) or blast furnace slag (slag wool), which is spun into fibres and formed into batts.
  - Natural fibres: insulation rolls made from natural fibres like cotton or sheep’s wool are environmentally friendly options. These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and have good thermal properties.
  Advantages of Insulation Roll
  
  Insulation rolls offer several advantages over insulation boards:
  
  1. Versatility, Flexibility, and Comfortability
  
  Insulation rolls can be easily cut and fitted into irregular spaces, making them ideal for areas with obstructions or non-standard dimensions. This flexibility allows for efficient wall, ceiling, and floor installation. Insulation rolls can also conform to uneven surfaces and obstacles, perfect for challenging areas.
  
  2. Cost-effectiveness
  
  Insulation rolls typically have a lower upfront cost compared to insulation boards, making them a budget-friendly option for insulation projects. They’re a great choice if you want to insulate your home or building project without spending too much money.
  
  3. Time-efficient
  
  Installing insulation rolls only requires minimal tools and expertise. They can be rolled out and cut to size, reducing labour time and costs.
  
  Disadvantages of Insulation Roll
  
  Here are some of the disadvantages to using insulation roll:
  
  1. Not as Good for Acoustic Insulation
  
  Although insulation rolls are more flexible and provide some sound insulation, they don’t give as good sound insulation as insulation boards.
  
  2. Difficult to Handle
  
  If you haven’t handled insulation rolls before, they can be tricky, especially if made with irritating materials like fibreglass (always wear gloves)! Unlike insulation boards, they can be more challenging to slot between studs - but perhaps easier for abnormal spaces with irregular shapes.
  
  3. Susceptibility to Compression
  
  Insulation rolls are prone to compression over time, which can reduce their effectiveness in providing thermal insulation. Compression can occur due to settling, pressure from other building materials, or improper handling during insulation. When insulation rolls compress, they lose their loft (airspace between the fibres) and density, resulting in a lower R-value (how well it resists the flow of heat).
  
  What is Insulation Board?
  
  Insulation boards are rigid panels designed to provide thermal insulation to buildings. Much like insulation rolls, they also come in various sizes and thicknesses. Their rigid structure makes them easy to handle and install, providing consistent insulation without settling or compression issues. They can also offer additional benefits, which we’ll get into later.
  
  What are Insulation Boards Made From?
  
  Insulation boards can be made from various materials, each offering different properties and benefits:
  - Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): these lightweight, rigid, insulation boards offer excellent thermal insulation properties.
  - Extruded Polystyrene (XPS): XPS insulation boards are dense, rigid, and high in strength.
  - Mineral wool: made from rock or slag wool and offers excellent fire resistance, sound absorption, and thermal insulation.
  Advantages of Insulation Board
  
  Let’s discuss the numerous benefits of using insulation boards compared to rolls.
  
  1. Easy Installation
  
  Installation boards are a great option if you need to insulate a large space, like a big stud wall or a flat roof. Their rigid structure allows for straightforward installation without the need for additional support structures.
  
  2. Saves Space
  
  Insulation boards are less thick than insulation rolls and use less space. This makes the insulation process easier when installing boards between joists, rafters, or studs.
  
  3. Better Sound Absorption
  
  Due to their rigid structure, installation boards provide excellent soundproofing by preventing sound waves from passing through. But if you really want to minimise sound, then acoustic partition rolls offer great insulation and acoustic insulation.
  
  Disadvantages of Insulation Boards
  
  Let’s look at some of the disadvantages of using insulation boards.
  
  1. More Costly
  
  Insulation boards can be more expensive than other types of insulation materials, particularly when compared to insulation rolls or loose-fill insulation. The initial cost may be higher, impacting budgets, but it is not likely to compress in the future.
  
  2. Time Consuming
  
  While insulation boards offer greater insulation efficiency than alternatives, cutting and fitting insulation to size and attaching it securely, require additional time and labour, especially for large-scale projects.
  
  3. Space Constraints
  
  Insulation boards typically have a fixed thickness, which may pose challenges in applications where space is limited or where specific insulation thicknesses are required to meet building standards.
  
  Overall, both insulation rolls and boards are great ways to insulate your building correctly. By considering the above factors, you can now decide which option is better suited for you.
  
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