HISTORY OF INSULATION For as far back as history goes, the earth has experienced four distinct seasons. Some areas have always experienced more extremes in terms of temperatures and therefore had to find ways to maintain a comfortable living environment. Insulation has been used throughout the centuries to keep heat in and cold out or vice versa. It is interesting to note that some of the alternate environmentally friendly techniques that are being considered today, such as fabrics, were being used in ancient times as insulation. Defining Insulation Insulation refers to a substance that slows or retards the transfer of heat or sound. Most often, when talking about insulation in modern terms, it is in reference to the building and construction industry. Ancient Forms of Insulation Prehistoric people built shelters to protect themselves from the elements, originally using organic materials and later more durable substitutes. Hot climates would construct homes with thick walls that would insulate against the heat and provide a cooler and more temperate indoor environment in which to live. • Ancient Mayan ruins in Central America. • Egyptians also used these construction methods to keep out the desert heat of the Sahara. These homes had low roofs and small windows so the heat couldn’t easily enter and remain in the homes. • Ancient Greeks probably made some of the more significant discoveries in terms of insulation - they used cavity walling to insulate the buildings. Cavity walling has a gap between two walls which traps air and moderates the temperatures. During the hot summer months, cavity walls kept the warm air out and in the cooler winter months, it would help keep the warmth inside the homes. • The Romans also used cavity walls, though in addition, they used materials such as cork to insulate hot water pipes so the heat from the pipes would not transfer to the surrounding walls and floors, causing them to crack. Fabrics were also used as additional insulation. Scraps of cloth would be tucked into window frames to keep out the desert dusk or the icy European cold. Rugs made from animal furs were used as carpets and thick linen drapes were used as curtains. Elaborate tapestries were hung on walls and helped to manage some of the moisture buildup in the stone buildings. The tapestries also helped moderate the draughts that could sometimes cause an added chill.

2. HISTORY of INSULATION
I-RIM
HYBRID
Systems

3. Ancient forms of insulation
• Prehistoric people built shelters
using organic materials
• Ancient Greeks discovered Cavity
walling
• The Romans used Cork animal
furs and Cloth
• Asbestos had been used by the
ancient Greeks and Romans as
insulation, though Greeks noted
that it seemed to cause lung
disease in those who were
exposed to it

4. Industrial Types of Insulation
• During the Industrial Revolution insulation
became an integral part of many designs
• Asbestos was the main type Insulation mainly
for the flame-resistant properties, though the
Greeks had noted that it seemed to cause
lung disease in those who were exposed to it
• The industrialists seemed oblivious to this fact
(Or turned a blind eye)
• The Insurance industry finally ended the use
of asbestos as they were snowed under with
claims from the people who were exposed to
this horrible deadly insulation material.
• As asbestos was phased out over health
concerns, Industrialists changed over to
Fiberglass….

5. Post Second World War
• The UK was recovering in the 1950s following
WWII
• Poor housing, no real insulation was installed
• During winter houses were so cold, ice formed on
the inside of the windows in many homes
Methods to keep warm in the good old days:
• Old Army Coats used by the dad & granddad in the
battlefield had a new role as an extra blanket
• Big families helped against cold with 10 in a bed
• Hot water bottles also played their part, and for
those who could afford an extra pullover or coat
was a help.

6. Fiberglass
• It is one of the most popular insulation products
that is used in the building projects today
• But, you have got to wear protective clothing to
install it ,Glasses ,gloves, mask to cover your nose
and mouth - WHY?
• Claimed to be the Asbestos of the 21st Century?

7. Fiberglass
• Ageing is a true problem
for glass wool or mineral
wool
• How to recycle it?
• How to treat the waste?

8. Rigid Boards
• Do they really work?
Yes and NO!
• They have a good conductivity
value
• They are rarely fitted properly
• Fitting rigid boards between
wooden studs and rafters doesn’t
work as timber shrinks as do Rigid
boards.

9. Heat then finds its way through the gaps, how do we allow for
this when calculating out U-values?

10. Waste is a serious problem
• On average
over 10% of
rigid board
insulation is
wasted

11. • Having been involved in the
construction business for over 50
years I have seen every insulation
product that has been invented
• Most products have a health
warning or a doubt regarding their
effectiveness (different result on
paper than in situ)
• They fail to meet the real demands
of the consumer
• People are still faced with higher
and higher heating bills.
Something must be done!

12. There is an answer
Reflective radiant barriers
• The USA recognised the advantage of retaining and reflecting radiant
heat, Europe has been slow to see this simple solution to conserving
energy
• The French did see the advantages and introduced this into the UK In
the 1990s however they made it out to be a wonder product that was
going to make all other forms of insulation obsolete
• Of course this got up the noses of the large insulation manufacturers
in the UK and Ireland who would not stand back and see their
business being destroyed. Funding was made available to take the
French to task

13. Types of reflective radiant barriers
• Aluminum is the preferred material because of
it’s sustainability and low emissivity.
• Metalized foils are used along with polyester
wadding to form a multi foil insulation.
• Multi-layered reflective insulation provides
additional thermal resistance
• High performing, cost effective solutions.

14. There are three elements to address when
trying to conserve energy in a building:
Conduction
Convection
Radiation

15. What is the best compromise?
No doubt: Reflective Insulation works very good when
there is Radiant heat generated.
Inside from the heat generator or Outside from the sun
Radiation

16. What is the best compromise?
Mass insulation like PIR / PUR / XPS / EPS / Mineral wool /
polyester wadding are good for their thermal resistance to the
heat transfer
However, some of them like Glass wool are able to store heat
and are not comfortable in the summer time.
Conduction

17. What is the best compromise?
It is important to avoid air infiltration.
Rigid insulation or reflective insulation can be a disaster when
not tight
High Density Mineral wool / Polyester Wadding and reflective
insulation when properly installed are efficient
Convection and
Air Tightness

18. Environmental issues:
• REACH is the European legislation for
Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of
Chemicals
• LEED is the US originated rating system for
sustainable buildings
• USGBC is the US Green Building Council which
administers LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design)

19. Combining Environmental issues and
Thermal Efficiency:
• VOC = Volatile Organic Compound
• Compulsory VOC emissions labelling in France and Belgium
• Swiss VOC Tax
• German Ü mark for construction products
+
• Ageing
• Recyclability
• Thermal transfers
• Thermal characteristics

20. Global Insulation System
®
Thermal transfers
Water Vapor
Air
Water
Heat
Heat
Water Vapor
Air

21. Hybrid Insulation: A new type of insulation
Radiant Barrier
+
Recycled Polyester wadding

22. • No health risk
• No irrespirable dust
• Healthy work conditions
• 100% recyclable
• Comfort is improved year-round
• Reduces energy cost over 40%
• There is less need for heating and
cooling
• Saves non-renewable resources
• Reduces greenhouse gas
emissions
• Eliminates condensation on walls
and ceilings
• Insulation materials can also be used
for sound proofing and … mattress

23. Global Insulation System
®
Hybrid Insulation...
Radiant breathable
underlay
durable Insulation !
Mass insulation
Independent Radiant
Vapor Barrier

24. Now we can all breathe easy!
And it works!