We supply and install a wide variety of insulation products in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. We often get asked the question “what is the best insulation in South Africa”? There are many important factors to take into consideration when trying to determine the best insulation products. So let’s take a look at some of these factors. Make an educated decision when choosing your home insulation. Don’t forget choosing the right insulation installer is important too.
BEST INSULATION PRODUCTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, we have 3 main types of insulation products that are the most commonly used. Aerolite, Granric and Knauf are all fibreglass based products. Isotherm and Romatherm which are eco-friendly polyester products with no chemical additives or fibreglass. Cellulose fibre insulation which is a newspaper.
Fibreglass: Aerolite, Granric and Knauf
Polyester: Isotherm and Romatherm
Newspaper: Cellulose Fibre
Check out our Roof Insulation Price List
WHAT IS R-VALUE?
The insulation R-value is very important. The higher the insulation R-value, the better product will be able to restrict thermal heat from entering or exiting your home through the ceiling. But don’t be fooled, it is not only about the r-value when trying to determine the best insulation materials. R-value does play an important role but should not be the sole purpose of selecting a product.
BEST INSULATION MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS
All of the above insulating products have a very similar R-value, so now we need to start looking at the other factors that answer the question of what are the best insulation products. Let’s break it down so you can decide for yourself what product suits you best.
KNAUF EARTHWOOL WITH ECOSE TECHNOLOGY
Knauf is a brown earthwool insulation product that is manufactured in Germany. They have created a mineral wool product that has all the advantages of traditional fibreglass insulation products and enhanced it with ECOSE technology.
THINK PINK AEROLITE
As mentioned above, think pink aerolite insulation is the most tried and tested product on the market around the world. Additionally, it has excellent acoustic properties that help with noise levels and soundproofing. Think pink aerolite has a good r-value the same as polyester insulation and cellulose. The downside to it is that it is made of fibreglass and although it has no harmful chemical additives to make it acceptable insulation, you don’t want to breathe in the fibres.
ISOTHERM RECYCLED POLYESTER
Isotherm is a reasonably new product in comparison to think pink aerolite and cellulose fibre. It has been taking the South African market by storm. Additionally, the isotherm r-value is the same as the other two products. Having said that, the benefits you get from polyester insulation outrank the other two insulations.
Firstly, it is the most eco-friendly insulation we have in SA. It is made from recycled PET bottles and is good for the environment. Furthermore, it has absolutely NO CHEMICAL additives to make it an acceptable insulating material. In fact, it is people-friendly insulation. It’s pleasant to the touch. You could actually sleep with it as a duvet on a cold night! For people with allergies, isotherm is definitely the way to go.
CELLULOSE FIBRE
Ok now to cellulose. Again the r-value is around about the same as aerolite and isotherm. It is produced from recycled newspapers. If you take a closer look at it you will realize that recycle newspapers don’t have a fire retardant status. Therefore cellulose fibre insulation must be treated with chemicals. As a matter of fact, this is done to pass the fire testing stages. These chemicals include boric acid, borax, lime, ammonium sulphate, aluminium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, mono – and diammonium phosphate, aluminium hydrate, aluminium trihydrate, zinc chloride.
Source: Cellulose Insulation Problems
WHAT ARE THEE BEST INSULATION MATERIALS CONCLUSION?
So hopefully we have answered that question for you “what is the best insulation”. You need to way up the pros and cons of the insulation products. Remember you have to live with the product in your roof. We do a wide range of insulation products in South Africa. There has been a definite swing in the market towards eco-friendly polyester insulation. More and more people in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town are shifting in the polyester direct.
It might be more expensive than the other two insulations but that’s got to make you think? Why? Its because polyester is the safest and most eco-friendly insulation we have to offer.