Insulation Changes

Unless you've been in a coma for the last couple of years, you will be aware of the soaring levels of insulation required in domestic dwellings.

Celotex [1] used to be an expensive luxury. Since the 2002 changes to Part L of the building regulations, levels of insulation that would only previously have been required in warm roof situations are now barely sufficient to put in the floor.

And it's all due to change again. The April 2006 revisions to Part L are about to come into force. This means another round of confusion, difficulties,and complaints from customers.

An annoying aspect of the next round of changes, is that innovative solutions like Tri-Iso Super 9 will no longer be sufficient to comply with Part L alone. The Tri-Iso Super 9 family of products are multi-layer fabrics (like a roofing felt) that claim to be the equivalent of up to 90mm of celotex in a sheet around half an inch thick. They aren't accepted by all local councils - but where they are accepted, they can be a real life saver where you don't have much space. They are also easier to use - they can be installed with a staple gun. [2]

Obviously the industry will have to react to the changing situation. It's evolve or die time again.

So are these changes absurd, officious, and unnecessary ? You may or may not know that these changes are part of the government's commitment to meet the targets for carbon emissions, as set out in the Kyoto treaty on climate change. Around thirty percent of UK carbon emissions are due to the heating of domestic dwellings.

Certainly confusion is a bad thing. This government is no stranger to a greatly increased burden of regulation and red-tape. As to the question of whether increased insulation is a bad thing - we at Buildingtrade.org.uk reserve judgement on it, for the moment.

[1]	and the other brands of polyisocyanate boards...

[2]	Not necessarily the recommended technique.

Posted by Buildingtrade.org.uk on 2005-11-17 12:10:04.
Categories: regulations, materials

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