If you were to think of a product category that will be in the ascendancy in the years ahead then insulation would certainly be one that would come to mind pretty quickly. With government targets driving energy efficiency improvements in new and existing housing it represents an easy win both for our environment and domestic fuel bills. Of course, some wins are more comprehensive than others and multi-foils score on many levels.
YBS Insulation has been a champion of the multi-foil concept for over a quarter of a century now. The beauty of the product is that it is suitable for any number of applications in floors, walls and roofs and, with Whitehall now intent on encouraging insulation upgrades, it is fitting that the company recently welcomed Mark Fletcher, MP for Bolsover, to its manufacturing site to find out more just how the business can generate substantial added value for the UK building market, as Sales and Marketing Director, Daniel McKane explains: “We fully support the new Green Homes Grant Scheme announced by the government, and having our local MP visit us is a great way to demonstrate how our products can assist with the requirements of the business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) to achieve energy efficiency for low rated EPC homes”.
Although the material has been with us for some time, there is an ongoing process of education to communicate its benefits. Daniel continues: “Multi-foils offer high thermal benefits, but are thinner, so there will be less headspace sacrificed, particularly in loft conversions, where head height is key. Our products will keep a property warmer in the winter and cool it in the summer months. They are much easier to handle and install than bulky PIR panels, and you can comfortably fit as many rolls as you need through a loft hatch.
In addition, with most heat in a home lost through the roof (25 per cent) and walls (35 per cent) the material’s thermal benefits make it a good upsell for builders. Two of the latest solutions to emerge from the company’s manufacturing and on-site laboratory and testing facility in Creswell, Derbyshire follow in that tradition. Breathe-R and Breathe-R Ultra are the latest improvements in the range.
As with BreatherQuilt, both have been designed with a high performing and durable roofing membrane as the outer layer, with the 2mm thick Breathe-R offering a 39 per cent reduction in heat loss compared to a standard membrane, which would be equivalent to approximately 20mm of expanded polystyrene (EPS). Not only that, but its highly reflective perforated aluminium foil construction allows for the free passage of moisture from the internal to external, reducing the risk of condensation issues. The three layers of Breathe-R Ultra are 11mm thick and will see reductions of up to 53 per cent, providing the same performance as 30mm of expanded polystyrene (EPS).
These new products join an already well-established and extensive line of multi-foil insulations that together represent a whole house solution, with future products on the horizon for 2021. The slim depth of Super Quilt belies its thermal performance, which is anywhere between 75 – 100mm of PIR. Airtec is a thin, flexible, easy to install aluminium bubble insulation membrane which acts by trapping air within its bubble structure while creating low emissivity air spaces from its foil faced outer layers, enhancing its overall thermal capabilities, and reducing the risk of condensation.
In pitched roofs, BreatherQuilt is a market leading product which, following customer feedback, YBS improved still further in 2019. The enhancements included built-in double-sided tape and a stronger more durable outer breather membrane. YBS BreatherQuilt combines the thermal properties of an Agrément Certified insulating multi-foil with a highly effective breathable membrane, which is both water resistant and vapour permeable. Daniel outlines the potential gains for homeowners: “The breather membranes recommended by Building Regulations ensure that the structure is waterproof and breathable, they do nothing for thermal performance, but our products can combine all of these characteristics.
“We want tradespeople to be confident in specifying and handling our product, and that’s why we’ve invested in a sophisticated testing regime in our own labs. As a result, we know that all of the information we provide on our products, such as technical support and U-Value/condensation calculations are accurate, YBS products also conform to all the latest Industry Standards, including CE Mark, BDA Kiwa & BBA certificate of Agrément, Building Control Compliance (LABC registered detail) and NHBC Acceptance. At the same time, we want to make sure that the installation is carried out correctly, so that the product performs as it should, and that’s why our business is investing in in-house training, CGI videos, and a series of online training modules specially designed for our customers and their markets.”
Another reason to celebrate in 2020, was the announcement that YBS Insulation entered into a strategic agreement with Duofor BV in the Netherlands. Duofor BV have partnered with the multifoil manufacturer to be the exclusive and authorised distributor of its products within the EU from 1st September 2020.
