FAQs

ECO360 Bio-enhanced PIR or Polyisocyanurate insulation is a foam insulation which can be used in many applications, including walls, sarking, floors and roofs. Unilin’s ECO360 range offers a thermal conductivity as low as 0.020 W/mK.ECO360 is also available with engineered jointing to provide improved continuity and thermal bridging performance.

ECO360 builds on traditional PIR technology by reducing environmental impact in manufacturing, delivery and use of PIR Insulation on-site, supporting circularity initiatives and aligning with science-based targets and lowering embodied carbon.

This makes ECO360 an insulation solution with sustainability in its make up.

When two abutting boards are to join, cut the profiled edge from each board and ensure

that they are closely butted. The joint should be sealed. When building the inner leaf first, seal with a waterproof tape. The tape should be applied to a dry surface. When building from the inside, a preparatory self-adhesive jointing strip is available to insert over the join. Any penetrations or small repairs can be made with the tape or sealant.

Any services running through the insulation layer should be sloped to the outside. DPCs should be dressed over services.Contact the membrane manufacturer for further guidance on installation and best practice.

Our Stonewool range offers a thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/mK.

For sustainability, efficiency, and reliability, ECO360 PIR delivers insulation solutions for roofs, sarking , walls and floor of a building.You can always create an insulated system with ECO360.

ECO360 insulation has a low thermal conductivity, delivering enhanced thermal performance and allowing significantly thinner installations compared with alternative insulation materials such as mineral wool.

The use of a cavity board is recommended during construction. It is a board that is placed over the installed boards as the inner leaf is raised to catch any mortar drops that might fall. If mortar does fall onto the upper edge of the CavityTherm, the HIPS skin is easily cleaned with a damp cloth..

Stonewool insulation can be used in any project when aiming to achieve a uniform solution and provide resilience during the build.  SpecifyingStonewool for cladding applications that provides high-density insulation, the reduction of heat loss in your build, high acoustic performance and lower sound transmission and finally the ability for use in high-rise projects.

It is also classed as a non-combustible, Euroclass ‘A1’ insulation.

ECO360 insulation works by reducing the transfer of heat through a building’s walls, roofs, floors, and other structural components.

Unilin Insulation’sBio-Enhanced PIR insulation solution places strong emphasis on environmental improvements throughout the manufacturing, delivery, and operational lifecycle of PIR insulation. By incorporating more sustainably sourced and environmentally conscious ingredients, ECO360 PIR represents another significant innovation in PIR insulation manufacturing.

PIR insulation and thermal bridging

To further minimise heat loss and reduce the risk of both surface and interstitial condensation, careful detailing during insulation installation is essential. Our cavity wall insulation solutions incorporate engineered tongue-and-groove or rebated edge profiles, which help to reduce thermal bridging, improve continuity of insulation, and enhance overall airtightness. The product range includes ECO/CW ,ECO/CT ,ECO/MA (Floors), ECO/MA (Roofs) and ECO/MA (Sarking). In addition, pre‑formed corner boards are available to further mitigate heat loss at corner junctions, where thermal bridging commonly occurs. Thermal bridging within the building fabric can account for up to 30% of total heat loss. Ensuring continuity of insulation, so far as is reasonably practicable, is therefore critical and can significantly reduce heat loss, improve thermal performance, and lead to meaningful reductions in energy bills. While controlling thermal bridging and ensuring correct installation of insulation are critical, airtightness and ventilation must work hand in hand. Everyday activities within the home—such as cooking, showering, drying clothes, and even breathing—generate moisture and airborne pollutants, creating humid and potentially unhealthy internal air. Without adequate ventilation, this moisture can accumulate, increasing the risk of condensation, mould growth, and deterioration of the building fabric.

Simple installation is guaranteed with ECO360’S Bio enhanced PIR insulation.

Discover all the advantages of our ranges.

Bio Enhanced PIR and sustainability

The production of PU insulation uses less than 0.1% of all oil consumed worldwide and. On the other hand, the material saves up to 100 times more oil thanks to its insulating properties. As PIR is slim yet effective at insulating a building, you do not need much to achieve yourresult. Our insulation is designed and certified to last the lifetime of a building.

Full details relating to compliance with Building Regulations, independently verified technical specification, assessment criteria and technical investigations, design considerations and installation guidance are available on unilininsulation.co.uk

Stonewool mineral wool insulation can be used within a rainscreen application for walls or for Soffit Applications

Where a project requires a A1 reaction to fire classification, good acoustic performance, or involves constructing a high‑rise building, stone wool is the most appropriate insulation to specify.

Stonewool can be used in many applications or projects. Whether you are looking at a new build, a renovation project, commercial or residential, stonewool insulation can be considered for your project.It can be used in wall and soffit applications, making it a viable solution for a variety of constructions. 

ECO360 supports sustainable construction by:

• Reducing operational energy demand
• Lowering embodied carbon compared to traditional formulations
• Providing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for ECO360 Products.
• Supporting science-based targets aligned with the 2030 Paris Agreement
• Contributing to low energy, Passive House and nZEB design strategies.

Xtroliner is a superior performance* insulation with a lambda value of 0.021 Wm/K. It is faced with a PIR textured foil and is available with engineered jointing to deliver improved Thermal Bridging detailing

PIR or Polyisocyanurate insulation is a foam insulation which can be used in many applications including walls, floors and roofs. Unilin Insulation offer a PIR Insulation range called Xtroliner, with a certified thermal conductivity as low as 0.021 W/mK.Xtrolineris also available with engineered jointing to provide improved continuity and thermal bridging performance.

PU is the collective name for both polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR). Although PUR was a popular insulation option, PIR is considered an upgrade to PUR. PU solutions are characterised bytheir fine closed cell foam structures. The fine microstructure forms a strong insulating barrier, which greatly impedes the conduction of heat (and cold) and is an efficient insulation choice

Euroclass A1 Fire classification

Suitable for use in high-rise buildings

Suitable for a variety of applications

Dense insulation solution Improved Acoustic Performance

Yes. The U-value which ECO360 Insulation delivers helps us to achieve Passive House standards and NZEB standards by:

• Improve fabric efficiency
• Reduced thermal bridging
• Support airtight construction strategies

This contributes to meeting or exceeding UK Building Regulations and supports voluntary standards such as Passive House and nZEB design principles. Have a look at our case study on ECO360 In Waterford where we helped to achieve A-rated, energy-efficient social housing which was awarded a Pride of Place award in 2023

Sustainability

Our company has always been mindful of our impact on the environment and we strive to act and invest in ways that reduce harm and positively affect our communities. As part of the global group of Unilin companies, we are combining our efforts across the world for even greater environmental impact under Unilin’s ONEHOME strategy. The group-wide approach allows us to direct our resources where we can make the most impact, to share ideas and learnings, to move forward more efficiently and to do so at a greater pace.

OneHome targets real change and is backed by investment to make our sustainability pledges a reality.

Unilin Insulation’s investment in R&D is delivering exciting developments in product properties, performance and circularity, backed by improving Environmental Performance Declarations (EPDs).

Science-based targets provide a clearly-defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and futureproof business growth. Targets are considered ‘science based’ if they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Setting science-based targets is a five-step process that involves official validation of the targets set along with tracking and communication of progress on an annual basis.

We are committed to developing and promoting sustainable low energy design in construction. Meeting Passive or nZEB Standards requires us all to think and deliver differently. We continually improve and adapt to the challenge, gaining in-depth knowledge and sharing those technical aspects with industry. The Climate Emergency necessitates an accelerated drive for reducing our own impact and the impact of the projects we work on in terms of operational energy and embodied carbon. We welcome the growing industry momentum for performances beyond Building Regulations such as the Climate Challenge 2030 and by groups such as LETI.

PIR and fire safety

Reaction to fire for insulation describes how a material responds when exposed to fire, by the European Euroclass system from A1 (non-combustible) to F. The classification includes additional criteria for smoke production (s1, s2, s3) and flaming droplets (d0, d1, d2) to assess a material’s performance. This is different from “fire resistance,” which measures how long an entire building element can maintain its structural function, integrity, and thermal insulation during a fire. 

Fire resistance refers to the behaviour of a structural component during a fully developed fire. European classification is based on an evaluation of three sub-aspects: load-bearing capacity (R), flame resistance (E) and insulating capacity (I). 

Yes. The U-value which Xtroliner Insulation delivers helps us to achieve Passive House standards and NZEB standards by:

• Improve fabric efficiency
• Reduced thermal bridging
• Support airtight construction strategies.

This contributes to meeting or exceeding UK Building Regulations and supports voluntary standards such as Passive House and nZEB design principles.

Have a look at our case study on the world’s largest Passive House Premium building, built in Fermanagh, Ireland with Unilin Insulations Xtroliner Range

PIR and fire safety

Reaction to fire for insulation describes how a material responds when exposed to fire, by the European Euroclass system from A1 (non-combustible) to F. The classification includes additional criteria for smoke production (s1, s2, s3) and flaming droplets (d0, d1, d2) to assess a material’s performance. This is different from “fire resistance,” which measures how long an entire building element can maintain its structural function, integrity, and thermal insulation during a fire. 

Fire resistance refers to the behaviour of a structural component during a fully developed fire. European classification is based on an evaluation of three sub-aspects: load-bearing capacity (R), flame resistance (E) and insulating capacity (I). 

Stonewool insulation reduces the transfer of heat through a building’s walls, soffits, and other structural elements. (Stonewool can also contribute to the fire protection as part of the overall building system)

Heat conduction and lambda value

As it has a low thermal conductivity it is difficult for heat to pass through it,which makes it is such a good insulator.

R-Value

A low lambda value (Thermal conductivity) results in a high R-value or thermalresistance, a measure by which we assess specific insulation products in relation to their insulation thickness. This thermal resistance quantifies the area and temperature difference needed to transfer 1W of heat energy. The higher the R- value, the lower the amount of heat loss.

The lambda value of stonewool insulation ensures that installers can achieve high levels of thermal performance while maintaining comfortable insulation thicknesses.

Stonewool Insulation and Reaction to Fire

The fire rating of Unilin Insulation Stonewool range has a Euroclassclassification of A1. This applies to our SW/RS and SW/ST products. It is important to check the fire rating of each product when specifying.

PIR or Polyisocyanurate insulation is a foam insulation which can be used in many  applications including walls, floors and roofs. Unilin Insulation offer a PIR Insulation  range called Thin-R, with a certified thermal conductivity as low as 0.022 W/mK.  Thin-R is also available with engineered jointing to provide improved continuity and thermal bridging performance. 

PU is the collective name for both polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR).  Although PUR was a popular insulation option, PIR is considered an upgrade to  PUR. PU solutions are characterised by their fine closed-cell foam structures. The fine microstructure forms a strong insulating barrier, which greatly impedes the conduction of heat (and cold) and is an efficient insulation choice.

Phenolic insulation is a rigid, lightweight foam made from phenolic resin with a closed-cell structure.

PIR insulation boards prove their worth everywhere. From the roof and attic to the walls and floor of a building, you can always create an insulated system with PIR. 

PIR insulation has a low thermal conductivity, delivering enhanced thermal performance and allowing significantly thinner installations compared with alternative insulation materials such as mineral wool.

A wet foam mixture is applied directly to the lower facing layer, where it expands upward to contact the upper layer. This process forms small airtight cells that trap gas and limit heat transfer. The material is cured under controlled heat and pressure.

Extruded Polystyrene Insulation be used in many applications. Unilin provide XPS for floors, roofs and wall applications as it is ideally suited for use in highly loaded and trafficked floors, basement walls and inverted roofs.

R-value

A low lambda value(Thermal conductivity) results in a high R-value or thermal resistance, a measure by which we assess specific insulation products in relation to their insulation thickness. This thermal resistance quantifies the area and temperature difference needed to transfer 1W of heat energy. The higher the R-value, the lower the amount of heat loss.

The low lambda value of XPS means that anyone working with the product can insulate a building comfortably thanks to its thickness while optimising the energy performance. With XPS, you can make efficient use of the space available to you. Since you need less insulation material overall, this is the definition of a smart investment

Our Safe-R 019 range offers a thermal conductivity of 0.019 W/mK. This range offers different solutions depending on your project needs. Our Safe-R range also offers various solutions depending on your project and has a thermal conductivity as low as 0.021 W/mK.

A U-Value measures the rate of heat transfer through a building element, such as a roof, wall, window, door, or floor. In building physics, it represents the thermal transmittance of a construction assembly and is defined as the inverse of the total thermal resistance (R-value) of all layers within that element.

In simple terms, the U-Value indicates how much heat flows through a material or structure from a warm area to a colder area. It is a key metric used to evaluate the thermal performance and energy efficiency of building components.

CavityTherm wall insulation board is a composite board of PIR core with a Lambda value of 0.021 W/mK. The boards have gas-tight facings with one face bonded to a profiled HIPS skin during manufacture to provide a drainage plane. CavityTherm’s unique profiled facing directs any moisture that might have penetrated the external wall down the protective facing and back onto the external leaf. The board includes specifically designed rebated edge detailing on all four edges to allow the system to tightly interlock when installed.

Phenolic insulation is considered one of the most thermally efficient insulation products, providing high R-Values in thinner board compared to other insulation materials.

Heat naturally moves from warmer spaces to cooler ones. The U-Value quantifies the amount of heat lost or gained through a building component per unit area for each degree of temperature difference across it.

Put simply, the U-Values achieved by placing CavityTherm into your standard 150mm cavity meet Passive House standards. It builds as a ‘system to ensure continuity. You can physically see that the procedures on site are being followed. It’s a very practical, affordable solution to low-energy design.

Phenolic Insulation boards can be used in many applications or projects. Whether you are looking at a new build, a renovation project, commercial or residential, Phenolic insulation can be considered for your project. It can be used in roof, walls, soffit and floor applications, making it a viable solution for a variety of constructions.

W/m²K (watts per square metre kelvin)

This unit describes how many watts of heat pass through one square metre of a structure for every 1-degree temperature difference between the inside and outside environments.

Example of a U-Value: A wall panel with a U-Value of 0.15 W/m²K means that 0.15 watts of heat will transfer through each square metre of the wall for every 1°C difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.

Factors That Affect U-Values

Several factors influence the U-Value of a building element, including:

• Type of insulation material
• Thickness of insulation layers
• Density and thermal conductivity of materials
• Air gaps or cavities within the construction
• Thermal bridges caused by structural elements
• Surface resistances and material finishes

Optimising these factors helps reduce heat loss and improve overall building performance.

Standard S/S wire wall ties are used with CavityTherm. At up to 5 ties/m2 the thermal impact is negligible because the cavity is kept to a reasonable width. Pushing the cavity wider and adding greater amounts of insulation will necessitate low conductivity ties, and result in worse Thermal Bridging at junctions. It is for this reason that a U-Value of around 0.15W/m2K is seen as optimum by regulations and Passive House.

Lower Lambda (thermal conductivity) values for improved U-Values

Reduced Insulation Thickness

Suitable for a variety of applications

Cost-effective solution in refurbishment and new build

This is not specific to CavityTherm, all wall ties in any construction should slope slightly down to prevent water from travelling along the wall ties into the construction. Wall ties must be kept clean and free of mortar. What thicknesses of CavityTherm are available? CavityTherm is manufactured for 100mm,110mm, 125mm and 150mm cavities, and achieves U-Values as low as 0.12 W/m2K. Greater thicknesses may be available, subject to quantity and lead time.

Phenolic Insulation works by reducing the transfer of heat through a building’s wall, roof, floors and other structural components.

The lower the thermal conductivity in the phenolic insulation, the higher its insulating capacity.

Heat conduction and lambda value 

As it has a low thermal conductivity it is difficult for heat to pass through it, which  makes it is such a good insulator.

R-Value 

A low lambda value (Thermal conductivity) results in a high R-value or thermal resistance, a measure by which we assess specific insulation products in relation to their insulation thickness. This thermal resistance quantifies the area and temperature difference needed to transfer 1W of heat energy. The higher the R- value, the lower the amount of heat loss.

The low lambda value of Phenolic means that anyone working with the product can insulate a building comfortably thanks to its thickness while optimising the energy performance. With Phenolic, you can make the most efficient use of the space available to you. Since you need less insulation material overall, this is the definition of a smart investment.

EPS insulation can be used in many applications. Unilin provide EPS for External wall and floor applications, providing options in a range of dimensions.

Contact Unilin Insulation technical support for guidance on suitability depending on building height.

The fire rating of Unilin Insulation Phenolic laminate range has a high Euroclass rating of B-s1,d0. This applies to our SR019/TB-MF, and SR019/STP products. It is important to check the fire rating of each product when specifying, as fire ratings typically vary depending on their application

EPS insulation works by reducing the transfer of heat through a building’s walls and floors.

R-value

A low lambda value(Thermal conductivity) results in a high R-value or thermal resistance, a measure by which we assess specific insulation products in relation to their insulation thickness. This thermal resistance quantifies the area and temperature difference needed to transfer 1W of heat energy. The higher the R-value, the lower the amount of heat loss.

The low lambda value of EPS means that anyone working with the product can insulate a building comfortably thanks to its thickness while optimising the energy performance.

With EPS, you can make efficient use of the space available to you. Since you need less insulation material overall, this is the definition of a smart investment.

An improved wall U-Value is not the only item that must be addressed to achieve a Low Carbon Fabric. Airtightness and thermal bridging must also be improved. Thermal Bridging is in fact, just ‘good detailing’ and is accounted for in SAP. Unilin is the only insulation board manufacturer that addresses gaps or breaks within the continuity of the insulation layer. How do you detail insulation around stepped cavity trays, periscope vents in suspended floors or at corners, or meter boxes? Unilin has developed bespoke insulatedpieces to ensure that these details are well insulated to avoid thermal bridging and possible condensation mould growth.

In some projects, it may also be advisable to choose a combination of materials in order to achieve the best result for your project.

For Example, our Stonewool products offer a non-combustible solution.

Alternatively, our ECO360 Range offers our optimum sustainable option.

Unilin Close-R fully insulated cavity closers are a solution for builders and specifiers for the closing of cavities around window and door openings, preventing cold bridging, damp penetration, air infiltration and condensation.

All of the details available to download from unilininsulation.co.uk have been based on the UK Accredited Details For Construction published by theDLUHC. These are standard details that have been accounted for in SAP for many years. What Unilin has done is just replace the conventional insulation included within them with CavityTherm. This has vastly improved the resultant thermal transmittance through all the specified junctions; corners, wall/floor, reveals, etc., and will deliver a Y-Value for most dwellings below the 0.05 target asked for under Part L. Unilin has fully BRE qualified Thermal Bridging assessors with the added assurance that the technical team members you speak with are fully trained. U-Value and condensation risk analysis calculations arecovered by the BBA/TIMSA competency scheme.

Unilin’s stonewool insulation is non-combustible, Euroclass ‘A1’ insulation, also known as mineral wool.

Stonewool insulation can be used in any project when aiming to achieve a uniform solution and provide resilience during the build. Stonewool Rainscreen is a high specification Stonewool for cladding applications that provides high-density insulation, the reduction of heat loss in your build, high acoustic performance lower sound transmission and finally the ability for use in high-rise projects

SW/RS High specification Stonewool for cladding applications is suitable for use in ventilated facade, rainscreen and framing applications and closed systems such as curtain walling.

The Close-R range is used to close cavities and is suited to all types of windows and doors and is available in sizes to fit cavity widths from 100mm – 150mm, with checked detail to suit brick or drylined specifications and flanged detail to suit block outer facings. (Flanged detailing requires precise construction tolerances).

You can always create an insulated system with PIR. PIR insulation has a low thermal conductivity, delivering enhanced thermal performance and allowing significantly thinner installations compared with alternative insulation materials such as mineral wool

Our ECO360 Range sees pioneering environmental improvements in the manufacturing, delivery and use of PIR insulation. A bio-enhanced, halogen-free formulation, this sustainable insulation range has a more than 50% reduction in packaging, with all plastic wrap replaced by biodegradable film. This is the sustainable Insulation solution that Unilin have to offer and can be applied to multiple applications depending on what the project needs.

The Building Regulations now ask that insulationsystems be ‘continuous’ and are installed in accordance with acceptable detailing. The jointing system in Unilin products achieves this, encourages a more accurate build, and avoids the 0.01 U-Value penalty that should be applied when calculating to BR443.

Stone wool insulation delivers reliable performance in projects where the highest level of fire protection is required. It is produced by melting natural minerals, such as volcanic rock, and spinning them into fibres that form a dense, non-combustible durable insulation slab.

The Close-R range is made of PIR or Polyisocyanurate insulation. It is afoam insulation, used to insulate cavities closest to the areas where thermal bridging could fail, like window and door openings.

PIR Insulations is considered an upgrade to PUR. PU solutions are characterised bytheir fine closed cell foam structures. The fine microstructure forms a strong insulating barrier, which greatly impedes the conduction of heat (and cold) and is an efficient insulation choice.