Building Materials & Insulation — Loft & Wall Insulation (2026)

Pros

• Glass mineral wool rolls pre-perforated to fit common joist spacing
• Non-combustible with ECOSE bio-based binder for lower odour
• Effective for both loft and floor lagging in one product

Cons

• Itchy to handle without gloves and a mask like most mineral wool

Pros

• Bulk 3-roll pack covers a full loft in fewer deliveries
• Mineral wool construction gives solid thermal and acoustic performance
• Works for both roof lagging and suspended floor insulation

Cons

• Kerbside delivery only on bulky multi-roll packs

Pros

• 200mm thickness suits a top-up layer to reach current Building Regs U-values
• Non-combustible glass mineral wool with an R-value of 4.5 m2K/W
• 4-roll pack reduces the number of separate orders needed

Cons

• Bulkier rolls take up more van space to transport

Pros

• Combi-cut rolls are easier to handle in a loft than full-length rolls
• 20.52m2 total coverage suits an average loft top-up job
• Low-dust ECOSE technology binder is more pleasant to install

Cons

• Mainland UK kerbside delivery only, cannot ship to some postcodes

Pros

• Thin multifoil roll saves space versus bulky mineral wool in tight lofts
• 3-in-1 design combines insulation, radiant barrier and vapour barrier
• Lightweight roll is easy for one person to install solo

Cons

• Needs an air gap either side to perform as rated, adding install complexity

Pros

• Raises loft boarding clear of insulation so it stays uncompressed for full thermal value
• Screws straight into joists with no cutting or extra fixings needed
• 300mm height suits a deep top-up layer without squashing it flat

Cons

• Needs the loft boards bought separately to complete the raised floor

Pros

• Polyester fibre construction is itch-free to handle, unlike mineral wool
• Non-toxic and safe to install without a full respirator and gloves
• Suits lofts, walls, floors and van conversions from one roll

Cons

• Lower density than mineral wool, so needs care not to compress it when boarding over

Pros

• Small 0.6m x 5m roll suits patching, sheds and smaller wall sections
• Reflective foil layer doubles as a radiant barrier and vapour barrier
• Thousands of verified reviews back up its reliability

Cons

• Small roll size means several are needed to cover a full loft

Pros

• Self-adhesive backing speeds up fitting to roofs and walls
• Cotton wadding layer adds sound deadening as well as thermal insulation
• 10m² coverage per roll suits a full shed or small loft section

Cons

• Self-adhesive layer needs a clean, dry surface to bond properly

Pros

• Thinner 100mm option suits a top-up layer over existing insulation
• Non-combustible glass mineral wool with ECOSE bio-based binder
• Same trusted Knauf roll used for both loft and floor lagging

Cons

• On its own, 100mm falls short of current Building Regs recommendations

Pros

• Single-roll pack suits smaller top-up or repair jobs without over-ordering
• Mineral wool construction gives solid thermal and acoustic performance
• Works for both roof lagging and suspended floor insulation

Cons

• Higher cost per roll than buying in the larger multi-roll packs

Pros

• 175mm height lifts boarding clear of insulation to keep it uncompressed
• Plastic construction is lightweight and easy to carry up into a loft
• 32-pack suits a decent sized loft boarding project in one order

Cons

• Loft boards need to be bought separately to complete the raised floor

Pros

• Foil-backed PIR board gives a high insulation value for a relatively thin panel
• Supplied as equivalent stock from Recticel, Celotex or Kingspan depending on availability
• 5-board bulk pack suits a full loft, wall or floor insulation project

Cons

• Large pallet-size order needs van access or ground-floor delivery space

Pros

• Stone wool slabs give excellent thermal, acoustic and fire performance
• Euroclass A1 non-combustible rating for added fire safety
• Water-repellent finish holds up well in partition wall and floor voids

Cons

• Rigid slabs are less forgiving than roll insulation around odd joist spacing

Pros

• High-performance foil-faced PIR boards for roofs, walls and floors
• Bulk 10-board pack covers a large loft conversion or extension in one order
• Supplied as Celotex, Kingspan or an equivalent brand of identical spec

Cons

• Very bulky pallet delivery needs ground-floor access and someone to help unload

Pros

• Itch-free polyester alternative to traditional glass mineral wool
• Non-toxic construction is more comfortable to handle without a full mask and suit
• 110mm thickness suits loft, roof and wall top-up jobs

Cons

• Polyester rolls are bulkier to compress into loft storage bags than mineral wool

Pros

• 3-in-1 multifoil combines thermal insulation, vapour barrier and radiant foil in one roll
• Slim profile saves internal space versus thick mineral wool builds
• Suits loft, roof, wall and floor applications from a single product

Cons

• Needs taped, sealed laps to perform properly, so installation is fiddlier than a simple roll

Pros

• Rigid stone wool slabs hold their shape well in stud walls and floor voids
• Strong acoustic performance for party walls and internal partitions
• Non-combustible with a good fire-resistance rating for building regs compliance

Cons

• Denser and itchier to handle than lightweight glass mineral wool rolls

Pros

• Lightweight rigid foam panels are easy to cut and handle without mineral wool itch
• Pack of 9 boards suits floor, wall, roof or underfloor heating insulation jobs
• Moisture-resistant foam holds up better than fibre insulation in damp areas

Cons

• Foam boards offer less sound deadening than mineral wool alternatives

Pros

• Slim 6mm foam boards raise floor height minimally, useful under underfloor heating systems
• 14-pack covers 10m2, enough for an average room
• Rigid closed-cell foam resists moisture and is simple to cut to size

Cons

• Thin profile gives a lower thermal resistance than thicker PIR or mineral wool boards