How to insulate a roof and when to choose PIR boards

The choice of roof insulation material depends above all on the layer build-up and the space available for insulation. PIR boards are worth considering where a slim layer with high thermal resistance matters, but the deciding factor is the boundary of the heated part of the building. Check whether you are insulating a sloping roof plane above rooms or a ceiling under a cold loft, then examine airtightness, thermal bridges and water protection. Compare complete systems, not just the declared lambda.

By |2026-11-14T22:55:50+01:002024-06-16|Building guide|Comments Off on How to insulate a roof and when to choose PIR boards

How to choose a PIR board under render for an aerated concrete wall?

For an aerated concrete wall, choose a PIR board intended for the given façade system. A good lambda value alone is not enough. What matters is the adhesion of the facing, the fixing into the substrate and the correct execution of the reinforced layer and render. The insulation thickness follows from the wall parameters and the thermal target. There is no single value suitable for all blocks. Aerated concrete comes in various grades and thicknesses. Its thermal and mechanical properties depend on the specific product. When selecting insulation, do not assume the parameters of the warmest block if it is not known what the wall was built from. Check the documentation or carry out the necessary inspection.

By |2026-11-14T09:55:42+01:002024-03-22|Building guide|Comments Off on How to choose a PIR board under render for an aerated concrete wall?

How do you calculate the required thickness of PIR board for a wall?

The required PIR thickness can be preliminarily calculated from the required thermal resistance of the wall. However, you need to know the existing layers and the parameters of the selected board. A calculator based only on the type of masonry gives too little information. The final selection also takes into account fixings, thermal bridges, moisture and the method of finishing. The calculation result must be translated into an available product suitable for the application. Record all wall layers, their thicknesses and thermal properties. Include existing insulation and voids, if they actually occur. For an old house, the documentation may need to be verified on site. Do not assume that every brick or aerated concrete wall has the same resistance.

By |2026-11-14T09:55:59+01:002024-03-05|Building guide|Comments Off on How do you calculate the required thickness of PIR board for a wall?

How do you assess heat and moisture transfer through a building element?

A reliable result starts with a correct description of the wall or roof. You need to know all the layers, their thicknesses and properties, as well as the conditions on both sides of the building envelope. The low lambda of PIR helps to reduce the insulation thickness. However, it is not enough to assess the entire system. The thermal calculation must be supplemented by checking moisture, thermal bridges and the airtightness of joints. Record the layer build-up from the interior to the exterior. Include plaster, masonry, existing insulation, air cavity and finish. Do not omit old insulation just because it will not be replaced. During renovation, its condition and actual thickness may require an inspection opening. A photo of the façade does not provide this data.

By |2026-11-14T09:55:23+01:002024-03-01|Building guide|Comments Off on How do you assess heat and moisture transfer through a building element?

Building a watertight flat roof: design details and limitations

The watertightness of a flat roof depends above all on a coherent layer system, not on the covering material alone. Before construction, it is worth establishing how water will be drained, who will service the surface and how, and whether the roof is to serve additional functions. Falls, waterproofing, outlets and continuity of insulation form a whole in which every element must fit together. PIR boards can be part of such a system, but they do not replace a watertight covering. The project and the care taken over details determine success.

By |2026-11-14T22:54:04+01:002024-02-16|Building guide|Comments Off on Building a watertight flat roof: design details and limitations

Is it worth insulating a 1990s house from the inside?

Insulating a 1990s house from the inside can improve comfort when the façade is to remain unchanged. However, it is not a simple solution for every building. First, the existing layers, moisture and thermal bridges must be identified. PIR helps retain more space in the rooms, but requires airtight details and proper finishing. It is also worth comparing the scope of work with external insulation. Houses from this period may have been built from various materials and according to various solutions. Some have cavity walls, others have external insulation added during renovation. The cavity in the wall may be unfilled, partially filled or contain material of unknown condition.

By |2026-11-14T09:55:55+01:002024-01-06|Building guide|Comments Off on Is it worth insulating a 1990s house from the inside?

How can you sensibly insulate a garage, outbuilding or summer house?

A garage, workshop and summer house each need a different approach to insulation. First you need to establish whether the building will be heated and how often it will be used. PIR achieves a good thermal resistance at a small thickness. In many renovations this is a major advantage. It does not, however, relieve you of repairing leaks, sorting out ventilation or checking the substrate and finish. An unheated garage is planned differently from a workshop where people work every day. In an unheated room, insulation slows the rate of temperature change. On its own, however, it will not guarantee a temperature above freezing during a long frost. You need a heat source or another realistic balance of gains and losses.

By |2026-11-14T09:55:36+01:002024-01-03|Building guide|Comments Off on How can you sensibly insulate a garage, outbuilding or summer house?

What does building a passive house involve?

A passive house is not a single product but a set of criteria assessed by a defined method, so it is worth checking whether the design and construction meet them together. Rather than asking only about insulation thickness, it is better to establish how shape, airtightness and services affect the balance and comfort. This article discusses the choices and trade-offs facing the building owner and the trade. It helps distinguish the passive standard from the loosely used term energy-efficient and shows what really determines the outcome.

By |2026-11-14T22:53:44+01:002023-12-21|Building guide|Comments Off on What does building a passive house involve?

Insulating farm buildings in stages while keeping the farm running

Insulating an active farm must be planned together with how production, storage and handling in the buildings are organised. Choosing PIR boards or sandwich panels is part of this task: equally important are access to the area being renovated, protection of supplies and continuity of ventilation. On Izoprofil.eu we explain how to prepare the staging of works in a warehouse, workshop or livestock building. The starting point is a description of how the rooms are used and an assessment of the existing building envelope. Next, the scope of works, the conditions for handing a sector over to the contractor and the criteria for putting it back into operation are defined. The material is selected for the environment and the function of the layers, not according to a single scheme for the whole farm. Such a schedule helps to limit conflicts between the works and the day-to-day operation of the facility.

By |2026-11-15T17:55:09+01:002023-09-27|Building guide|Comments Off on Insulating farm buildings in stages while keeping the farm running

Continuous, airtight insulation for a loft conversion

A continuous thermal layer and moisture control matter more than merely filling the space between rafters. Before choosing an assembly, check the condition of the covering, the timber and the layers beneath the metal sheet, and mark out the insulation route across the slopes, ceiling and walls. PIR boards reduce thickness but must belong to the correct assembly, and every detail and joint needs checking. Also consider the available height and ventilation, as these factors determine the choice of material and the sequence of layers.

By |2026-11-15T03:02:18+01:002023-08-13|Building guide|Comments Off on Continuous, airtight insulation for a loft conversion
Back to top