How to insulate for different climates
Different climates require different sorts of insulation to make homes comfortable. Find out what sort of insulation is appropriate for your home and location,...
Bulk vs. reflective insulation
Heat is gained in a home in a couple of different ways, and for that reason different types of insulation are needed for different...
Thermal performance of different materials
Thermal performance is a critical factor in home design. It influences how well a house retains heat in winter, stays cool in summer and ultimately how comfortable and energy-efficient it is to live in.
What are R values?
R values are a way to assess how well thermal insulation works. Find out what's considered high and low where R values are...
Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC)
AAC is concrete that contains many tiny air bubbles, making it 20% of the weight of regular concrete. AAC is an excellent insulator, and...
Straw bale insulation
People have been making houses from straw bales for centuries. Straw bales can be remarkably effective insulators, but straw bale homes must be expertly...
Polyurethane foam insulation
In the right form and circumstances, polyurethane foam insulation can work well as a soundproofing material - particularly for muting midrange noises like music...
Structural insulated panels (SIPs)
SIPs are wall materials comprised of polystyrene sandwiched between two rigid panels. While they're not cheap, SIPs offer additional advantages in terms of thermal...
Polystyrene insulation
Polystyrene is an increasingly popular insulation material, used either as a part of structural insulated panels (SIPs) or as individual blocks or sheets. Polystyrene...
Natural wool insulation
The ability of sheep's wool insulation to provide effective soundproofing comes down to how thick it is. Find out more about how sheep's wool...