FAQ
How can we help you?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Table of Contents:
Air-Reflect®
Expert Multi-Foil
General Insulation Questions
Questions and answers
Air-Reflect®
| Q. | |
| A. | When used on the warm side of an application Airflex® will not require an additional vapour barrier as it will perform as one, so long as it is fitted correctly and joined/sealed. |
| Q. | |
| A. | Yes. Air-Green Insulation Ireland have LABC registered detail (download it here). This means it has been nationally approved by LABC when the product is used in accordance with instructions. |
| Q. |
Can Air-Reflect® be used on its own to meet New build building regulations? |
| A. |
No reflective / multifoil insulation should be used on its own, no product will meet current new build regulations in this way (LABC use of multi-foil insulation products compliance with Regulation 7 and requirement L1 – MG0190512: download document ). In refurbishment projects requiring different u values there may be situations where it is accepted as an upgrade as a single layer e.g solid wall upgrade. It is advisable that customers consult with their building control. |
| Q. | |
| A. |
Time saving:
Cost effective:
Performance:
|
| Q. |
Is Air-Reflect® the same as Expert Multi-Foil or other multifoils? |
| A. |
No. All insulation products have different thermal performance, and in the case of multifoils this will mean that they are accompanied by different thickness of mass insulation. Air-Reflect® is not a multifoil but a bubble foil and it works in a similar way but with additional features (e.g vapour barrier, acoustic barrier, 10mm semi-rigid meaning it is easier to work with, sustainable performance). Its design and makeup means it is suitable for applications that multifoils are not. Mulitfoils must have thermal performance tested by National , European or international standards in order to be accepted by LABC (or BBA, ETA etc) – (Some products not tested to these standards can claim exaggerated performances). Air-Reflect® has a thermal performance that is certified and meets current standards. Check out out applications table and downloads to see how it performs. |
| Q. |
Must there be an air gap on BOTH sides of the Air-Reflect® when installing? |
| A. | No, however Air-Reflect® performs better when it is facing at least one air gap. When installing in floors or using for thermal bridging it is often installed with no air gaps as it cannot be completely compressed, but it still performs with its core thermal properties. Check out our Applications pages to see recommendations. |
Exper Multi-Foil
| Q. | |
| A. | Yes. Air-Green Insulation Ireland have LABC registered detail. This means it has been nationally approved by LABC when the product is used in accordance with instructions. |
| Q. |
Can Expert multifoil be used on its own to meet NEW BUILD regulations? |
| A. |
No multifoil insulation should be used on its own, no product will meet current new build regulations in this way (LABC use of multifoil insulation products compliance with Regulation 7 and requirement L1 – MG0190512). In refurbishment projects requiring different U-values there may be situations where it is accepted as an upgrade as a single layer e.g solid wall upgrade. It is advisable that customers consult with their building control. |
| Q. | |
| A. | It is the same type of product, however, all insulation products have different thermal performance, and in the case of multifoils this will mean that they are accompanied by different thickness of mass insulation. Expert Multi-Foil has a thermal performance that is certified and meets current standards. Multi foils must have thermal performance tested by National, European or international standards in order to be accepted by LABC (or BBA, ETA etc.) – (Some products not tested to these standards can claim exaggerated performances that are not valid - (LABC use of multi-foil insulation products compliance with Regulation 7 and requirement L1 – MG0190512). |
| Q. |
Must I have an air gap both sides of the Expert multifoil when installing it? |
| A. | It does not always require an air gap BOTH sides but it does need to face a minimum of one air gap. For example when used with Home-iso the Expert Multi-Foil can be fitted straight under so the Home-iso is touching the foil and the airgap is on the other side of the Expert Multi-Foil. If using Expert Multi-Foil with rigid insulation boards we advise an air gap both sides of the expert multi-foil (see applications page). |
| Q. | |
| A. | In order to compare 2 multifoil products, the best place to start is its “Core R value/Overall R value” and they must both be tested in the same way as different testing methods give different results and can exaggerate a products performance Some products not tested to these standards can claim exaggerated performances that are not valid - (LABC use of multi-foil insulation products compliance with Regulation 7 and reuirement L1 – MG0190512). A good indication if an accurate thermal value is given for a product by a manufacturer is if LABC /BBA/ETA etc (UKAS approved Insulation testing places) have given certification / registered details for the product. |
General Insulation Questions
| Q. |
What are the advantages of using Reflective insulation products? |
| A. |
Advantages:
Thermal transfers: Reflective Insulation, an effective barrier against radiant heat transfer because it reflects almost all of the infrared radiation striking its surface and emits very little of the heat conducted through it. By virtue of its impermeable surface, reflective insulation also reduces convective heat transfer. Mass Insulation, such as glass wool or foam board, primarily slows conductive heat transfer and to a smaller extent, convective heat transfer. However mass insulation is not as effective against radiant heat transfer, actually absorbing it rather than reflecting or blocking it. Example heat losses in an attic: The best answer is to use a hybrid system eg. the Airgreen Hybrid System which combines both types of insulation. |
| Q. | |
| A. |
These are 3 ways that heat moves from warm regions to cool regions:
Conduction: ± 7% Convection: ± 28 % Radiation: ± 65 % |
| Q. |
What are the advantages of using the Airgreen Hybrid system? |
| A. |
|
| Q. | |
| A. | The thermal conductivity, how easily heat flows through a material. The lower the thermal conductivity (i.e the slower heat will move across a material) the better its thermal performance. It is measured in Watts per Metre Kelvin (W/mK). |
| Q. | |
| A. | A measure of resistance to heat flow through a material. The Higher the R-Value, the more thermal resistance the material has and the better its insulating properties. |
| Q. | |
| A. | The resistance to heat flow through the main material only and not including the external airspaces. This mainly applies to reflective insulation products, because the materials are not always used with 2 air gaps it is important to know the core R value. The higher the R-Value, the more thermal resistance the material has and the better its insulating properties. |
| Q. | |
| A. | A measure of heat loss in a building element such as a roof, wall or floor. A low U-value usually indicates a high level of insulation. To calculate a U-value for an element you must know the build up of that element and the R value of each product. |
| Q. | |
| A. | Refers to the ability of a materials surface to emit radiant energy. Rated on a scale of zero to one. The lower the emissivity the better as the lower the heat radiated from its surface. |
| Q. | |
| A. | Reflective insulation products excel in hot climates and often are the first choice for insulation in those regions. However, they also provide significant benefits in cold climates where they are used alone and/or when used in combination with other insulation materials in specific applications. |