Reflective Foils
Heat reflecting membranes, and multi-foils, offer a modern alternative to space consuming dry insulation products such as rigid insulation boards, mineral wool slabs or rolls or polystyrene boards. And, can reduce, or even remove, the need for traditional insulation requirements. Multi-Foils, Bubble Foils, Single Foil Laminates, and Breather Foil insulation products take differing approaches to achieving thermal efficiency.
Multi-Foil Insulation
Multi-foils are most commonly used to complement rigid insulation boards, mineral wool slabs and occasionally mineral glass wool rolls. Multi-foil is available from us in three thicknesses, 30mm, 33mm, and 40mm. YBS SuperQuilt uses aluminium in its outer facings, which offers better reflectivity, and performance against fire than the other brands, which use aluminium/polymer composite materials.
TLX Rafterfit - 30mm – is the latest advance in multi-foil for between rafter applications, which saves time and guarantees 0.2 U-Value when installed according with its BBA certificate
TLX Silver – 30mm - for pitched roofs, walls & floors, is an easily installed, space saving, flexible reflective insulation. Complete with BBA Certification, TLX Silver is our best value multi-foil.
TLX Gold - 33mm – flexible reflective insulation with combined breather membrane is easily and quickly installed. TLX Gold delivers an air barrier; allows water vapour to pass through, and provides all the benefits of multi-foil insulation in one space saving product.
YBS SuperQuilt - 40mm – easy to fit, very flexible, multi-layer insulation that offers significant thermal benefits. Unlike our other multi-foils, SuperQuilt has aluminium foil facings, rather than aluminised polyester. BDA certified, and Class 1 fire rated for surface flame spread.
Gen-X - 33mm – is a complete thermal insulant, air leakage and vapour barrier in one product. Gen-X creates a thermally insulated and airtight roof-space that ensures energy savings that will dramatically reduce your power consumption and carbon footprint. BBA certified.
Actis Triso Super 10 - 30mm – is effective both in summer and winter: In winter, it retains heat within buildings. In summer, it reflects radiation preventing overheating of attic rooms. Certified as the equivalent of 210mm of mineral wool by BM TRADA Certification.
Heat Reflecting Membranes - Bubble Foils, Single Foils and Breather Foils
YBS Airtec Bubble Foil, BBA Certified, multi-layer air bubble film insulation with aluminium bonded to either one face (Airtec-Single) or both faces(Airtec-Double)
YBS Breather Foil-FR Roofing Membrane is multi-layer aluminium bubble film insulation. Specially developed for use in timber-frame and modular building construction, and can greatly increase the U-value of a roof or timber-frame wall.
YBS Foiltec Single Foil, BBA Certified, Foil-Tec Single and Foil-Tec Double are reinforced, multi-layer coated foil laminate products designed specifically designed for under floor insulation.
Radflec Radiator Reflector Foil, works by reflecting radiant heat much like light reflecting from a mirror, this gives a warmer, money saving environment. It Improves performance of radiators by reflecting almost all of heat back into the room.
Condensation caveats
Multi-foil insulation was initially developed to counter the condensation risk associated with foil insulation in pitched roofs.
Some multi-foils are now certified for use in external wall applications. However, we are unaware of any foil insulation being certified for use in flat roof applications due to the condensation potential.
Apart from cavity wall or under-floor applications, we do not recommend the use of single foil laminates or bubble foils due to the risk of condensation, and subsequent dry rot.
We are aware that some timber-frame building manufacturers have successfully installed single-foil laminates in new-build properties. However, these developers have complete control of the installation of the dry insulation that is required to complement this type of insulation. They are also in a position to ensure the building envelop is properly sealed, thereby ensuring the integrity of the construction against condensation.
Please, do consider product certification carefully before installing bubble-foil or single foil laminates, or indeed any insulation product.
Multi-Foil insulation was specifically designed to combat condensation being created on a reflective insulation.
Like a bathroom mirror or a single glazed window, bubble foil and single foil insulations have the strong potential to condensate when there are significant changes in temperature.
To combat this condensation, bathroom mirrors sometimes have lights or heaters incorporated to negate the effect of dramatic temperature differences. The problem with single glazed window is less extreme as the temperature differences between inside and outside change more slowly, yet condensation commonly occurs in the winter. The solution is double or, better still, triple glazing.
Multi-foil insulation acts in a similar way to double glazing by reducing extreme temperature changes and having a buffer between outer surfaces that are likely to condensate.
We never recommend the use of a single foil or bubble-foil in pitched roofs for anything other than new build properties. And, even then they need to be used with considerable care and caution.
YBS Superquilt is, in our opinion, the most effective, LABC certified, multi-foil for use in pitched roofs, and walls. Meanwhile, BBA Certified, TLX Silver, is without doubt the best value on the market today.
Please consider the information in the introduction to this page, above
Just Insulation Blog
May 14, 2011 at 10:40 AM
I have been looking at installing heat reflecting membranes in a loft conversion that I wish to undertake.
It seems that multi-foils are the most appropriate, but they are very expensive.
Can you tell me if I could use bubble-foil or a single foil such as YBS Foiltec instead?
Like everybody these days, I have a tight budget.
Guest User
May 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM