Aerogel Insulation Co. UK

Aerogel Insulation Guide for UK Homes

1. What Is Aerogel?

Aerogel is a synthetic, ultra-light solid material derived from a gel, where the liquid component is replaced with gas. It has the lowest known thermal conductivity of any solid (~0.015–0.019 W/m·K). It comes in various forms including blankets, boards, granules, and composite panels.

2. Why Use Aerogel in Residential Properties?

2.1 Performance

Property	Aerogel	PIR / PUR	Mineral Wool
Thermal conductivity	~0.015–0.019 W/m·K	~0.022–0.026 W/m·K	~0.032–0.040 W/m·K
Thickness to U=0.18	~30–35 mm	~70–90 mm	~120–150 mm
Vapour permeability	Yes (in breathable types)	No	Yes
Fire resistance	Class A2 / Non-combustible	Depends (often C-E)	Class A1

2.2 Advantages

• Ultra-thin profile: Ideal for space-limited walls, window reveals, roof eaves.
• Breathable: Crucial for historic solid-wall properties and damp-prone homes.
• Non-combustible: Fire-rated to Euroclass A2 (with appropriate carrier).
• Hydrophobic: Resists liquid water while allowing vapour diffusion.
• Dimensional stability: Long-term thermal performance (~60+ years).

3. Application Scenarios in UK Housing

3.1 Internal Wall Insulation (IWI)

• Use aerogel-backed boards or plaster (e.g. Spacetherm WRB or Thermablok board).
• Ideal for solid-wall Victorian/Edwardian terraces or Georgian stone homes.
• Typical thickness: 10–20 mm, avoids skirting board or cornice conflicts.

3.2 Window & Door Reveals

• Thin aerogel strips eliminate cold bridging.
• Prevents condensation and mould around frame perimeters.

3.3 Roof & Loft Retrofits

• Applied under rafters where thickness is limited.
• Effective in loft conversions with headroom constraints.

3.4 Floor Insulation

• Aerogel mats under floorboards or screed.
• Thin enough for retrofits without raising floor levels.

3.5 Cavity Wall Top-ups

• New products like Energystore Spacebead use aerogel-infused beads to upgrade standard cavities (from ~0.40 W/m²K to ~0.29 W/m²K).

4. Key Products Available in the UK

Product	Type	Usage	Source/Notes
Thermablok Blanket	Flexible roll	IWI, roof, floor, reveals	High hydrophobicity, breathable, Class A2
Spacetherm WRB	Aerogel + MgO board	Internal walls (mechanically fixed)	Vapour-open, impact-resistant
Energystore Spacebead	Injected cavity beads	Retrofit cavity walls	Aerogel + EPS, BBA certified
Wraptherm Panel	External/internal walls	Facade retrofits	Vapour-permeable, includes weather barrier
Armacell ArmaGel HT	Pipe/duct wrap	HVAC, services insulation	High-temp resistant, industrial-grade

5. Installation Considerations

5.1 Handling

• Cut with scissors/knife (if blanket).
• Wear gloves and dust mask—fine particles can irritate.
• Must be mechanically fixed or bonded to surfaces.

5.2 Moisture Detailing

• Use vapour-permeable adhesives and breathable finishing plasters.
• Avoid impermeable layers which trap moisture—use lime or silicate plasters.

5.3 Airtightness

• Seal edges and joins with tapes or render to maximise insulation performance.
• Minimise thermal bridging by running insulation continuously around corners and junctions.

6. Cost & ROI

Indicative Installed Cost

Use Case	Cost Range (installed)	Notes
Internal Walls	£160–£260 / m²	Includes labour, fixings, finishing
Window Reveals	£30–£50 / reveal	Often done alongside window upgrade
Roof/Eaves	£100–£150 / m²	Varies by access, fixings
Floor	£120–£180 / m²	Assumes no underfloor heating relocation

Return on Investment

• Payback period: ~15–25 years depending on property, fuel prices, and wall thickness.
• Higher EPC ratings may increase resale value or mortgage eligibility.
• Critical in EPC upgrades for PRS compliance (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard).

7. Suitability & Limitations

Best Suited For:

• Period properties (pre-1930s).
• Properties with space constraints.
• Heritage buildings under conservation restrictions.
• High-value properties where internal space is at a premium.

Limitations:

• High material cost.
• Installation complexity (not DIY-friendly).
• Overkill for new-build cavity walls where PIR is cheaper and sufficient.

8. Compliance & Certifications (UK)

• BBA Certification: Many UK aerogel products are BBA-approved.
• Fire Safety: Most rated Euroclass A2-s1,d0.
• PAS 2035 compatible: Can be used under government-funded retrofit schemes (e.g., ECO4).
• EPC Impact: Upgrades U-values dramatically (solid wall: from ~2.1 to 0.3–0.18 W/m²K).

9. Summary: Aerogel in One View

Feature	Rating
Thermal Efficiency	★★★★★
Thickness Efficiency	★★★★★
Vapour Permeability	★★★★☆
Fire Resistance	★★★★★
Moisture Robustness	★★★★★
Installation Difficulty	★★★☆☆
Cost	★★☆☆☆
Retrofit Suitability	★★★★★

10. Final Decision Matrix

Condition	Aerogel Recommended?
Need to preserve internal space	✅ Yes
Listed or heritage building	✅ Yes
Budget under £50/m²	❌ No
Cavity wall with 100mm void	❌ No (use standard EPS)
High-end retrofit with EPC target	✅ Yes
DIY installation goal	❌ No