There are lots of different types of insulation on the market, yet insulation boards are a popular choice in a wide range of scenarios. Rigid boards are known for being incredibly easy to install and they are very durable too. Whether you’re installing roof insulation boards or floor insulation boards, you can guarantee that these high-performance products will instantly improve the energy efficiency of your property.When purchasing insulation boards, you will notice they are available in varying thicknesses. If you’re not an insulation expert, you will understandably be wondering how thick your insulation should be and which thickness is best for your project. So, below we have looked into the different thicknesses of rigid insulation in more detail.

What Thicknesses are Available?

There is a vast range of insulation thicknesses available and you can purchase insulation boards in thicknesses varying from 20 mm to 200 mm and beyond. The vast selection of insulation products on the market makes it easy to find solutions suitable for every application, including roof, wall and floor insulation.As a general rule, the thicker the insulation, the higher the performance. However, you do need to look at the R-Value as well as the thickness before purchasing new insulation products. Depending on where you’re installing the insulation, sometimes building regulations require you to use certain thicknesses of insulation too.For example, in new-build properties, loft insulation needs to be a minimum of 270 mm. Thankfully, it is possible to install new insulation on top of old insulation to help you achieve a better thickness and improve the overall energy efficiency of your home, as long as the current insulation is still in good condition.

How Thick Should your Insulation Boards be?

There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to this question and there are several factors that will influence how thick your new insulation should be. Different thicknesses of insulation board will be used for different projects and to give you an insight into the types of insulation available and when they should be used, below we have explored the thicknesses of insulation in more detail.

Thin Insulation Boards

Commonly, the thinnest insulation boards will be between 20 mm and 40 mm thick and this particular type of insulation is ideal for overcoming thermal bridging. Often, homeowners will use thinner insulation boards in two-layer build-ups, including between and under rafters and over stud in timber frame wall lining applications.

Standard Insulation Boards

The standard thickness of insulation boards is usually between 50 mm to 100 mm and this thickness is suitable for a variety of applications. Whether you’re purchasing insulation boards for cavity wall insulation or floor insulation, for example, this type of insulation is a great choice and it’s considered to be a multi-purpose solution. Typically, this thickness is one of the biggest selling due to its diversity in application.

Thick Insulation Boards

Some projects will require thicker insulation boards and anything over 100 mm is considered to be thick insulation. These larger insulation boards offer excellent thermal efficiency and they are frequently used for loft and roof insulation projects. Using this thickness can help you to meet required U-Values and you won’t have to install multiple insulation layers.

Purchasing Insulation Boards Online

No matter what your insulation project may entail, here at Online Insulation, we can provide you with the building materials you need. As a UK-based insulation and dry lining shop, we supply all leading brands, including; Celotex, Kingspan, Ecotherm, and Recticel, and we aim to be the cheapest supplier of the highest quality products.With many years of experience behind us, we feel that we can offer both informed and impartial advice to our customers too. You can rely on us to help you find the right solution for your next home improvement project and you won’t be disappointed with the products or the service you receive when you turn to Online Insulation.As well as general building insulation, we offer material solutions for very specific needs and if you have an enquiry for any specific insulation or dry lining-based material, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.