In su l a ti on

2nd Issue January 2016

Everything you wanted

to know about insulation *
* BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK
Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. How does insulation work? 4
3. Condensation Risk Analysis 13
4. How its made? 14
5. Testing & quality 20
6. Building Regulations & Standards 22
7. Product Selector 26
8. Build It 32
9. Glossary 49

2
This guide to insulation aims to provide you with everything
you need to know about Kingspans insulation, from how it
works, to its manufacture, and finally its installation.
We will also explain the building regulations and how to
comply with them for your projects.

3
2. How does insulation work?
Thermal insulation is commonly used to prevent heat loss / gain in buildings and so reduce energy usage.
The control of heat flow
Heat flow is how heat moves. Heat moves from warmer to colder areas. This movement is what causes buildings
to get colder in winter (heat leaking from a building into the colder environment outside) and hotter in summer (heat
moving from the warmer outside environment into a building). This happens through one or more of three heat transfer
mechanisms.
l conduction;
l convection; and
l radiation.
Thermal insulation is designed to restrict and resist heat transfer via these three mechanisms.

4
Conduction is how heat moves along or through a material by being effectively passed along from one molecule
to another. It can take place in solids, liquids and gases. The ability of a material to conduct heat depends on the
material. A low value (thermal conductivity) is important for insulation materials to reduce heat loss through
conduction. The lower the thermal conductivity (value), the better the ability of the material to resist heat transfer
through conduction. Using a low conductivity gas in insulation rather than just air further helps to reduce conduction.

Cold Warm

5
2. How does insulation work?
Convection only takes place in liquids and gases. It cannot happen in solids or in a vacuum. When the molecules
that make up a gas or liquid heat up, their density will change i.e. warmer air will become less dense and rise. This
change in density is called natural convection but it can also be sped up by wind or artificial means known as forced
convection. Closed cell insulation with small cell sizes inhibits convection within the cell, making them less prone to
affecting neighbouring cells.

Cold Air Warm Air

6
Radiation is the method of heat transfer across space from one body to another as energy. Radiation does not need
gases, liquids or solids to take place and it can happen in a vacuum. The rate of heat transfer through radiation is
controlled by:
l the difference in temperature of the surface that is radiating heat and surface that is receiving heat;
l the distance between these surfaces; and
l the emissivity of the surfaces. Emissivity is how shiny a surface is, in other words, its ability to reflect thermal
radiation. A material with a low emissivity reflects heat as radiation and can improve the Uvalue (thermal
transmittance) by limiting heat transfer across cavities. An example would be a lowemissivity foil facing on an
insulation panel or board.

7
2. How does insulation work?
Measuring insulation performance
The effectiveness of thermal insulation is measured by its ability to restrict heat transfer either its thermal conductivity
or its thermal resistance. These are known as the Lambda value and Rvalue respectively.
Lambda value (thermal conductivity, kvalue, value)
Firstly, the value shows how well a material can conduct heat and is measured in units of W/mK. A good insulation
will have as low a value as possible to reduce heat loss. This is a general measurement. To assess how a certain
thickness of a material affects heat transfer, you need to calculate the Rvalue (thermal resistance).
Rvalue (thermal resistance)
By dividing a materials thickness (in metres) by its value, you can find out how well it resists heat transfer at a
specific thickness. Thermal resistance is measured in units of m2K/W. The best insulation will have a higher Rvalue
which shows it is better at reducing heat loss.
The basic equation for calculating Rvalues is shown below:

Thickness (m)
Thermal conductivity (l)

8
Uvalue (thermal transmittance)
The Uvalue is a sum of the thermal resistances of the layers that make up a building element (i.e. walls, floors, roofs
etc.). It includes adjustments for any fixings, air gaps etc. This value shows in units of W/m2K the ability of an element
to transmit heat from a warm space to a cold space in a building and vice versa. The lower the Uvalue, the better
insulated the building element is. The basic equation for calculating the Uvalue is shown below:

[ ]
U = 1 + U
R

R = The Sum of all the RValues

U = Any corrections for fixings, air gaps etc.

Envelopes & Thermal Bridges

The elements of a building make up the building envelope (the barrier between inside and outside). For insulation in
the building envelope to reduce heat loss through conduction, convection and radiation it must have as few thermal
bridges as possible.

9
2. How does insulation work?
Thermal bridges (heat bridges or cold bridges).
Pathways through which heat can escape. The four principal types of thermal bridges are shown below:
l Repeating thermal bridges are a regular pattern of heat loss pathways, for example from timber studs in the walls.
l Nonrepeating thermal bridges do not follow a regular pattern and are often caused by gaps in the insulation
around window frames.
l Geometrical thermal bridges are found at junctions between building elements, for example where the wall meets
the floor.
l Point thermal bridges take account of the heat lost at fixings, fasteners and beams.
Generally, you can reduce the amount of thermal bridges through good workmanship and using cavity closers.
Ventilation & Air Tightness
As heat transfer can take place in gases such as air through convection, it is important to control air movement in the
building envelope. This can be done through air tightness and ventilation.
l Air tightness will reduce the amount heat loss at thermal bridges by preventing air leaking through the
building envelope.
l Ventilation is used to help the movement of air through cavities in the building envelope. This movement will
significantly reduce the chances of condensation forming.

10
Controlling moisture
Heat transfer can also take place in a liquid, so it is essential to avoid moisture buildup in the building envelope.
Condensation can reduce the performance of insulation.
Condensation
Takes place when water vapour in warm moist air meets cold surfaces that are resistant to water vapour. The water
vapour condenses into liquid water droplets as either surface condensation or interstitial condensation.
l Surface condensation takes place on the visible surfaces of a building. Indoors, this can increase the risk of mould,
which reduces air quality, and can cause staining. Thermal bridges can cause surface condensation as heat is
drawn out, leaving the inside surfaces cold.

30 g/m2 fine mist 3050 g/m2 droplets run down 51250 g/m2 droplets run down >250 g/m2 droplets drip from
windows and walls sloping surfaces horizontal surfaces

11
2. How does insulation work?

l Interstitial condensation happens between the layers in a construction, i.e. inside the roof, wall or floor. It can
damage these elements or even cause them to fail completely. Building elements can be designed to resist
interstitial condensation, or ventilation can be used to remove any condensation that forms before it causes
any damage.

? Did You Know:

The average person produces up to
40 g of moisture per hour by breathing.

12
3. Condensation Risk Analysis
If insulation is installed correctly, the risk of condensation can be reduced or even completely avoided. A Condensation
Risk Analysis (CRA) assesses the risk of condensation forming once insulation is installed. They are available alongside
Uvalues from our Technical Service Department. Here is an example:

The top line (T) shows the temperature and the bottom line (D) represents the materials predicted dewpoint temperature.
The dewpoint temperature is normally lower than the air temperature and describes the point at which moisture in the
air will condense. This depends on the amount of moisture in the air. If it is very humid, the dewpoint temperature will
be higher. The amount of insulation you use and how you place it is key to keeping materials above their dewpoint
temperature, and so avoiding condensation. You can use a vapour control layer like polythene on the inside (warm side)
of insulation to reduce water vapour from passing from warm to cold sides of the construction and condensing.
13
4. How its made: Kingspan Kooltherm (Phenolic) insulat

Top layer of facing Oven

Bottom layer of facing

3

14
tion Benefits:
Thermal conductivity of 0.0200.023 W/m.K
Amongst the thinnest commonly used insulation product for any specific Uvalue
Class 0 core
Uses a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) blowing agent
Closed cell structure
Fibrefree core.

1 The wet foam insulation mix is

5 added directly to the bottom layer of
facing, it then expands to meet the
top layer of facing.
2 As it dries, the foam reaches a tacky
/ adhesive phase that bonds itself to
the foil facing.
3 The foam is then cooked under
pressure once it has reached the
necessary thickness.
4 The insulation hardens or cures in a
secondary oven. As the foam cures,
4 it becomes a bright pink colour.
5 The boards are cut to the necessary
size, packaged, and sent to the
loading bay for collection.

15
4. How its made: Kingspan Therma (PIR) Insulation

3
Top layer of facing 2 Oven

Bottom layer of facing

16
 Benefits:
Thermal conductivity of 0.0220.026 W/m.K
Class 1 core
Uses a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) blowing agent
Closed cell structure
Fibrefree core.

1 The wet foam insulation mix is added directly to the

bottom layer of facing, it then expands to meet the top
4 layer of facing, bonding to it at the adhesive stage.
2 The mix is then cooked under pressure once it has
reached the necessary thickness.
3 After hardening, the insulation is still releasing heat
from the exothermic reaction of the foam.
4 The boards are cut to the necessary size, packaged
and stored for collection.

? Did You Know:

PIR must be cured for much longer than
phenolic insulation. Once packed, it is cured
in a temperature controlled warehouse for
one day per 25 mm thickness.

17
4. How its made: Kingspan OPTIM-R (vacuum) Insulation
Benefits:
Thermal conductivity of 0.007 W/m.K
Insulating performance up to 5 x better than other commonly available insulation materials
Ideal for constructions where lack of space is an issue.

1 3
2

18
 The dry insulation mix is pressed into shape. This step
1
also helps to remove air from the insulation. ? Did You Know:
2 The insulation core is placed inside a fleece coating The panel surface should look wrinkled.
which protects it from dust.
If it is smooth this is because air has
3 The insulation is cooked to ensure it is as dry
entered the panel through a puncture so the
as possible.
performance will not be as good. Every single
4 The insulation is wrapped inside a foil facing.
panel made is individually tested.
5 The vacuum chamber removes the air from the
insulation panel.
6 The edges are sealed.

4 5

19
5. Testing & Quality
We test our insulation products for a number of reasons:
1. Standards To make sure that the products meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
2. Quality To guarantee that the insulation is of top quality.
3. R&D To make the products more efficient in their performance or use of raw materials.
Some of the tests performed are listed below:
l Thermal conductivity l Dimensional stability
l Reaction to fire l Compressive strength
l Length and width l Tensile strength
l Thickness l Compressive creep
l Squareness l Short and long term water absorption
l Flatness l Water vapour transmission

20
Rigid insulation boards will be crushed to test their compressive strength and freeze tested for 24 hours to make sure
they still work in harsher weather. If the product has a foil facing, it will be water tested for 12 hours to make sure the
facing does not delaminate (come unstuck) if exposed to moisture.
Every OPTIM-R panel is made individually, so every single board must be tested once its made. A sample from every
batch of Kooltherm and Therma produced is tested and only released for sale on successful completion of those tests.

21
6. Building Regulations & Standards: Domestic

England

New Build Existing Buildings New Build

Best Starting Point Best Starting Point

Extension Refurbishment
(Fabric Only) (Fabric Only)

Wall 0.16 0.28 0.30/0.55* 0.16

Floor 0.11 0.22 0.25 0.11

Pitched Roof Ceiling Level 0.11 0.16 0.16 0.11

Pitched Roof Rafter Level 0.11 0.18 0.18 0.11

Flat Roof 0.11 0.18 0.18 0.11

* A Uvalue of 0.55 W/m2.K is used for cavity insulation and 0.30 W/m2.K for internal or external wall insulation.
** Column A for extensions where existing dwellings walls and roof Uvalues are worse than 0.70 W/m2.K in the walls and worse than 0.25 W/m2.K in the ceiling.
Column B is f or other extensions, upgraded existing thermal elements, nonexempt conservatories and conversion of unrelated buildings.

22
Wales Scotland

Existing Buildings New Build Existing Buildings

Best Starting Point Refurbishment & Extensions* Conversion of

Extension Refurbishment
(Fabric Only) A B Heated Buildings

0.21 0.30/0.55* 0.15 0.17 0.22 0.30

0.18 0.25 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.25

0.15 0.16 0.10 0.11 0.15 0.25

0.15 0.18 0.10 0.13 0.18 0.25

0.15 0.18 0.10 0.13 0.18 0.25

? Did You Know:

You can find more detailed information on building regulations by visiting our website:
www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/buildingregs
or calling our Technical Services Department on 01544 387 382.

23
6. Building Regulations & Standards: NonDomestic

England

New Build Existing Buildings New Build

Best Starting Point Best Starting Point Extension

Extension Refurbishment
(Fabric Only) (Fabric Only) (Domestic in Character)

Wall 0.22 0.28 0.30/0.55* 0.22 0.21

Floor 0.18 0.22 0.25 0.18 0.18

Pitched Roof Ceiling Level 0.14 0.16 0.16 0.14 0.15

Pitched Roof Rafter Level 0.14 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15

Flat Roof 0.14 0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15

* A Uvalue of 0.55 W/m2.K is used for cavity insulation and 0.30 W/m2.K for internal or external wall insulation.

24
Wales Scotland

Existing Buildings Existing Buildings

Refurbishment, Extensions
Extension Best Starting Point Conversion of
Refurbishment & Conversions of Unheated
(Other Buildings) (Fabric Only) Heated Buildings
Buildings

0.26 0.30/0.55* 0.18 0.25 0.30

0.22 0.25 0.15 0.20 0.25

0.15 0.16 0.14 0.15 0.25

0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15 0.25

0.18 0.18 0.14 0.15 0.25

? Did You Know:

You can find more detailed information on building regulations by visiting our website:
www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/buildingregs
or calling our Technical Services Department on 01544 387 382.

25
7. Product Selector: Roofs
Roof Insulation

Kooltherm K7
Pitched Roof Thermapitch Thermaroof
OPTIM-R* Board TP10 TR26 LPC/F
Pitched Roofs
Over / between / under rafter sarking P P
Breathable membrane
Flat Roofs
Tapered roofing system P
Under partially bonded builtup felt
Under cold liquid applied waterproofing P
Under mastic asphalt
Under mechanicallyfixed, singleply nonbituminous membranes P
Under fully adhered singlyply membranes P
In LPCB/FM approved constructions P
Traditionally protected membrane / Roof gardens
Car park decks
Lightweight protected membrane / maintenance access P
Insulation suitable for use under Green Roofs P P
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
*Overlay board may be required
26
 Styrozone Styrozone
f Thermaroof Thermataper Thermataper N 300 R N 500 R TEK
FM TR27 LPC/FM TT46 LPC/FM TT47 LPC/FM & H 350 R & N 700 R nilvent Building System

P
P P
P P
P P
P P
P P P
P P
P P P
P P
P P
P
P P P P
P
27
7. Product Selector: Walls
Wall Insulation

Kooltherm K
Kooltherm Kooltherm Kooltherm K15
K5 External K8 Cavity K12 Framing Rainscreen
OPTIM-R wall Board Board Board Board Pl

Partial fill cavity walls P

Internal drylining
Insulated render systems P
Rainscreen cladding systems P P
Timber frame P
Steel frame P
Basement walls
Cavity Closers
Breathable membrane
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

28
 Kooltherm TEK
Cavity Building
Kooltherm Kooltherm Closer & Thermabate System
K17 K18 Styrozone Kooltherm & & TEK
Insulated Insulated Thermawall Thermawall N 300 R Cavity Thermabate Cladding
lasterboard Plasterboard TW50 TW55 & H 350 R nilvent Closer PLUS PLUS Panel

P
P P

P
P
P
P P
P
P

29
7. Product Selector: Floors
Floor Insulation

Kooltherm K10
FM Soffit Board &
Kooltherm K3

Kooltherm K10 Styrozon
OPTIM-R Floorboard PLUS Soffit Board Thermafloor TF70 300

Solid ground floors P P P

Suspended ground floors P P
Floating ground floors P P
Soffit lining P
Heavy duty / industrial / cold floor stores P

30
 ? Did You Know:
To find out how much insulation you
need for a floor means you need to
ne N Styrozone H Styrozone N Styrozone N find out the P/A Ratio. Check out the
R 350 R 500 R 700 R glossary for how to do this.

P P P P

31
8. Build it: Pitched Roofs
Insulation between and under rafters (Fully filled Unventilated)

Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3

Kingspan Kooltherm
K18 Insulated 82.5 62.5 37.5 37.5 37.5
Plasterboard
Kingspan Kooltherm K7
150 125 150 125 100
Pitched Roof Board

Kingspan nilvent 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Counterbatten 38 38 38 38 38

Slate / tile batten 25 25 25 25 25

Tiles / Slates 30 30 30 30 30

Figures based on rafters at 600mm centres.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

32
Insulation between and under rafters (Partially filled Ventilated)

Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.13 0.15 0.18

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3

Kingspan Kooltherm
K18 Insulated 82.5 62.5 62.5
Plasterboard
Kingspan Kooltherm K7
110 110 75
Pitched Roof Board

Ventilated rafter cavity 50 50 50

Sarking felt 2 2 2

Slate / tile batten 25 25 25

Tiles / Slates 30 30 30

Figures based on rafters at 400mm centres.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

33
8. Build it: Pitched Roofs
Insulation between and under rafters (Fully filled unventilated Sarking Board)

Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3

Kingspan Kooltherm
K18 Insulated 82.5 62.5 37.5 37.5 37.5
Plasterboard
Kingspan Kooltherm K7
150 125 150 125 100
Pitched Roof Board

Sarking board 18 18 18 18 18

Kingspan nilvent 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Tiles / Slates 30 30 30 30 30

Figures based on rafters at 600mm centres.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

34
8. Build it: Flat Roofs
Warm flat roof on concrete deck (Singleply waterproofing Fully Adhered)

Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.10 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Plasterboard 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5

Timber battens 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

Concrete deck 150 150 150 150 150 150 150

Screed to falls 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Kingspan Thermaroof
100+120 100+110 85+90 160 145 120 85
TR27 LPC/FM

Singleply membrane 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

35
8. Build it: Flat Roofs
Warm flat roof on metal deck (Singleply waterproofing Mechanically fixed)

Thermaroof TR26 LPC/FM

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.10 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Profiled metal deck

Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Kingspan Thermaroof
105+105 95+95 160 150 140 120 85
TR26 LPC/FM

Singleply membrane 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5

These calculations assume the use of telesc opic tube fasteners with a thermal
conductivity of 1.00 W/m.K or less, the effect of which is insignificant.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

36
8. Build it: Balconies & Terraces
Warm flat roof on timber deck (Singleply waterproofing)

OPTIM-R & Thermaroof TR27 LPC/FM

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.10 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Plasterboard 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5
Timber joists 150 150 150 150 150 150 150
Plywood deck 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Protection layer 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kingspan OPTIM-R
Balcony & Terrace 45+50 40+40 30+30 30+30 50 40 25
System
Kingspan Thermaroof
25 25 25 25 25 25 25
TR27 LPC/FM
Fully adhered singleply
1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
membrane
Deck covering
35 35 35 35 35 35 35
e.g. paving slabs
For purposes of these calculations, the bridging effect of Kingspan OPTIM-R flex infill
panels has been taken to be 20%. The actual bridging effect will depend upon the final Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk
design of the OPTIM-R Balcony & Terrace System.
37
8. Build it: Walls
Cavity Wall
Kooltherm K8 Cavity Board

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Plasterboard 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5

Plaster dab cavity 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15

Blockwork (Thermal
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
conductivity 0.15 W/m.K)
Kingspan Kooltherm K8
100 90 75 60 50 40 40 35
Cavity Board

Cavity 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

Brick 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5

Calculations assume a minimum clear cavity of 50mm.
The type of wall tie used may change the thickness of insulation required. Calculations
assume a stainless steel flexible tie with 2.5 ties per m2. For cavity widths less than or equal
to 125 mm, calculations assume a crosssectional area of the tie of 12.50 mm2; For cavity
widths greater than 125 mm, a crosssectional area of 23.00 mm2.
Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

38
External Wall Board

Kooltherm K5 External Wall Board

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30

Item Thickness (mm)

Dense plaster 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13

Brickwork 215 215 215 215 215 215 215 215

Bedding compound 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Kingspan Kooltherm K5
120 110 100 80 80 60 60 55
External Wall Board

Polymer render* 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
These calculations assume the use of telescopic tube fasteners with a thermal conductivity of
1.00 W/m.K or less, the effect of which is insignificant.
* Other cladding options are available as shown, but these may alter the Uvalues achieved.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

39
8. Build it: Walls
Internal Wall Insulation

Kooltherm K18 Insulated Plasterboard

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30

Item

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3

Kingspan Kooltherm
K18 Insulated 112.5 92.5 92.5 72.5 67.5 67.5
Plasterboard

Timber battens cavity 25 25 25 25 25 25

DPC strip (if there

is a risk of moisture 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
penetration)

Sandstone 450 450 450 450 450 450

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk
For this application we recommend you contact us to carry out an exposure risk
assessment to examine the risk of damp or rain penetrating the masonry and the
suitability of this solution for your project.
Calculations assume sandstone stonework of a lambda value of 2.30 W/m.K.
Calculations assume the use of carbon steel fasteners of crosssectional area of 4mm2
at a density of 16.7 per m2.

40
Timber Frame

Kooltherm K12 Framing Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Kingspan Kooltherm
K18 Insulated 42.5 37.5 32.5 * * * * *
Plasterboard
Kingspan Kooltherm
K12 Framing Board 120 120 100 120 110 80 70 60
between timber studs
OSB 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Kingspan nilvent 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Cavity 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Dense blockwork
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
(1.13 W/m.K)
Polymer render 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Calculations assume the 140mm timber studs have a thermal conductivity of 0.12 W/m.K
with a 15% bridging factor. Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk
* 12.5mm plasterboard needed
41
8. Build it: Walls
Dwarf walls (Loft Conversion)

Kooltherm K7 Pitched Roof Board & K18 Insulated Plasterboard

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.26 0.28 0.30

Item Thickness (mm)

Plaster skim 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Kingspan Kooltherm
K18 Insulated 62.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5 37.5
Plasterboard
Kingspan Kooltherm K7
110 140 120 100 90 60 50 50
Pitched Roof Board

Ventilated loft space

Sarking felt 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Tiles on tiling battens 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

Calculations assume studs at 400mm centres. Ventilated construction. Where the insulation
between the studs exceeds the depth of the stud, the stud must be battenedout to
correspond with the thickness of the insulation and to allow for a stop batten to be fitted.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

42
8. Build it: Floors
Ground Floor Below Screed

Kooltherm K3 Floor Board

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Screed 65 65 65 65 65 65 65

Separation layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Kingspan Kooltherm K3
150 120 100 80 70 60 50
Floor Board

Concrete slab 150 150 150 150 150 150 150

Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5.
The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

43
8. Build it: Floors
Ground Floor Beam & Block

Kooltherm K3 Floor Board

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Screed 65 65 65 65 65 65 65

Separation layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Kingspan Kooltherm K3
150 125 110 80 75 60 55
Floor Board

Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Beam & block 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5.
The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel.
Calculations assume 100mm dense block infill of Lambda 1.13 W/m.K.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

44
Ground Floor Concrete

OPTIM-R Flooring System

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Screed 65 65 65 65 65 65 65

Separation layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Protection layer 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Kingspan OPTIM-R
70 60 50 40 30 30 25
Flooring System

Protection layer 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Concrete slab 150 150 150 150 150 150 150

Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Hardcore
Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5.
The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel. The bridging effect of the Kingspan
OPTIM-R Flex infill panels has been taken to be 15%. The actual bridging effect will Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk
depend upon the final design of the OPTIM-R Flooring System.
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8. Build it: Floors
Ground Floor Suspended Timber (Between Joists)

Kooltherm K3 Floor Board

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25

Item
Tongue & Groove
18 18 18 18 18
chipboard
Kingspan Kooltherm K3
170 140 120 100 80
Floor Board
Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5.
The insulation is laid between 50mm wide floor joists at 400mm centres.
The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

46
Ground Floor Floating Floor

Thermafloor TF70

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25

Item
Tongue & Groove
18 18 18 18 18 18
chipboard

Vapour control layer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Kingspan Thermafloor
130 110 90 75 60 55
TF70

Concrete slab 150 150 150 150 150 150

Damp proof membrane 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Hardcore
Figures based on a P/A ratio of 0.5.
The soil has been assumed to be sand or gravel.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

47
8 . Build it: Floors
Soffits

Kooltherm K10 FM Soffit Board

Uvalue (W/m2.K) 0.11 0.13 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.25

Item Thickness (mm)

Concrete deck 200 200 200 200 200 200 200

Kingspan Kooltherm
180 150 125 100 90 85 75
K10 FM Soffit Board
These calculations assume the use of telescopic tube fasteners with a thermal
conductivity of 1.00 W/m.K or less, the effect of which is insignificant.

Find me at www.uvaluecalculator.co.uk

48
 9. Glossary

A ACD Approved / Accredited Construction Details are a set of standardised construction details developed by regulators
to deal with the issue of heat loss / gain and other issues.
Acoustic insulation a product used to impede the transfer of sound, either via airborne or impact transfer. Typically
internal constructions within buildings are required to utilise acoustic insulation products to aid in minimising the transfer
of sound from one adjacent room into another. Approved Document E and Part E Robust Details contain further
information on common methods of controlling the transfer of sound in buildings.
Air tightness Air tightness is the uncontrolled leakage of air from a building through cracks, unsealed penetrations or
interfaces between different building elements.
Ambient when referring to heat, temperature, etc. ambient describes the surrounding conditions. i.e. the Ambient
temperature is the average temperature surrounding a material.

B Ballast a ballast layer is typically used in warm or inverted roofs down to weigh down the insulation or waterproofing
system. Common items used to form ballast layers include concrete paving slabs, round washed pebbles or a green
roof system (e.g. plants and growing medium such as soil). The weight of the ballast required is dependent on results
from a wind uplift calculation.
BER Building Emission Rate details the energy performance of a building calculated following the NCM (National
Calculation Methodology) eg SBEM. These measurements will be compared to the TER to define whether a building
passes building regulations.
BIM Building Information Modelling manages the information required for a construction project. This database is
referred to as AIM (Asset Information Model). In accordance with the governments Construction Industry Strategy
2011, all new public constructions should use BIM from 2016.

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9. Glossary
Blowing Agent a blowing agent is a substance used during the manufacture of cellular foam insulation products.
These agents are typically used to enhance the thermal performance of the finished product by filling the cells within the
insulation with a low thermal conductivity gas. The Kooltherm and Therma ranges of insulation products we produce
use Pentane based blowing agents with zero Ozone Depletion Potential and low Global Warming Potential (GWP).
BPEO Best Practice Environmental Option includes initiatives such as Kingspans Waste Collection Service.
BREEAM is an environmental assessment and rating system for buildings. It uses recognised measures of
performance, which are set against established benchmarks, to evaluate a buildings specification, design, construction
and use.
Breathability A nonscientific term used when discussing moisture transport through a construction (see Ventilation).
Building Control Bodies are public and private organisations that assess and verify compliance with building
regulations and standards.
Building envelope separates the internal and external environments, such as a roof or walls. In order to provide the
adequate protection against heat leakage, the building envelope should have as few thermal bridges and unintended
gaps a possible.
Builtup roof a roof made up of layers of building elements, typically roofing felt and asphalt with waterproofing layer
and gravel on top.
Butt Joints a joint made from two materials placed end to end without overlapping. They are used in pipe insulation
and when laying loose boards on a floor or roof.

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C Carrier membrane this is a membrane typically used to provide a suitable substrate for laying another product, i.e.
such as for a liquid applied waterproofing system to be applied onto. Refer to individual waterproofing manufacturers
for specific recommendations on when such layers are required, and if they are what is used for them.
Cavity Closers Cavity closers are insulated extrusions for closing wall cavities at openings such as window reveals and
door reveals. Cavity closers reduce heat transfer, avoiding thermal bridging, condensation and mould growth. They can
even be used to preform openings when window and door frames are fitted later. Kingspan Kooltherm Cavity Closer
and Kingspan Thermabate are examples.
CE label shows compliance with EN and CEN standards
Cellular insulation such as polyurethane, polyisocyanurate and phenolic insulation, which is made up of small
individual cells.
Centres of rafters/joists the centres of joists or rafters are measured by taking the centre point of one joist/rafter to the
centre point of the following adjacent joist/rafter. Timber joists and rafters are traditionally located at 400 mm, 450 mm or
600 mm centres, or in refurbishments sometimes their imperial approximate equivalents of 16, 18 and 24 inches.
Closed cell insulation has a more compact and denser structure than open cell insulation. As a result, it decreases
the ingress of moisture and is more resistant to heat transmission. Insulation with a closed cell structure is also more
resistant to flood damage. Because of its low water takeup, closed cell insulation panels recover from immersion in
flood water more quickly than mineral fibre insulations for example.
Cold bridging is a type of thermal bridging that occurs when a structural element of a building lets heat flow through it
because it has a lower thermal resistance than other components in the construction.

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9. Glossary
Compressive creep is the measure of how much a material changes under longterm load. Heavy duty insulation
materials ideally have a low compressive creep so they have a suitable durability in heavy duty applications.
Compressive strength is a materials ability to maintain its structural integrity when compressed. Insulation products
with a high compressive strength such as Kingspan Styrozone are used for heavy duty floors and roofs.
Condensation The conversion of a substance (typically water when referenced in the construction industry) from
the vapour state to a liquid due to a change in temperature or pressure, e.g. such as warm moist air hitting a cold
surface causing: a reduction in temperature of the air; and moisture vapour to condense out of the air. The two main
occurrences of condensation are:
Surface Condensation which can lead to mould and staining through its formation on the visible surface of a
material.
Interstitial Condensation occurs between the layers of a construction. This type of condensation can both
reduce the effectiveness of insulation components and reduce their lifespan.
CRA Condensation Risk Analysis is performed on the construction elements of a building, taking into account the order in
which they appear, and the buildings geographical location. Kingspans Technical department present CRA with Uvalue
calculations.

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D DER Dwelling Emission Rate details the energy performance of a building calculated using SAP. These measurements
will be compared to the TER to define whether a dwelling passes building regulations.
DFEE Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency. This is compared to the TFEE to comply with building regulations in England.
DPM Damp Proof Membrane is used with some insulations to prevent moisture building up on the insulation layer.

E Emissivity the shininess of a material. A high emissivity will increase the amount of heat transfer through radiation.
It is measured in watts per square metre (W/m2) in relation to an ideal black surface as a ratio from 0 to 1. The closer
to 0 the emissivity ratio, the lower the emission of heat as radiation. A foil facing on an insulation board allows a
low emissivity to be taken when calculating the thermal resistance of an unventilated airspace. eg in a cavity wall
construction.
EPC Energy Performance Certificate is required upon completion of a dwelling in accordance with the English, Scottish and
Welsh building standards. This necessitates energy calculations eg SAP or SBEM. They measure on a scale of AG, the
green to red scale covers the energy efficiency rating, while the blue to grey scale measures the environmental impact rating
of the construction.
EPS Expanded Polystyrene is a light rigid foam insulation that has low thermal conductivity and high impact resistance.
EWI External Wall Insulation insulation on the outside or cold side of a wall.

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 9. Glossary

F Facing is the surface element of an insulation board. Rigid and semirigid insulation boards often have a foil facing
which lowers the emissivity of the insulation element.
Fibrous Insulation is an insulation material made up of fibres rather than cells.
Fully bonded typically used in reference to flat roofing, and refers to where a bond between two materials is
considered to cover the whole surface. As a full bond covers a greater proportion of the roof area, these systems can
generally provide greater restraint against wind uplift than partially bonded systems.

G Geotextile membrane a nonwoven geosynthetic membrane used in a variety of applications within the construction
industry to act as separation and filtration membranes.
GWP Global Warming Potential is a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere,
and in turn how much the product is estimated to contribute towards global warming. It compares the amount of heat
trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide.
A GWP is calculated over a specific time interval, commonly 20, 100 or 500 years.
Green Guide Rating The 2008 Green Guide Rating system uses data from Environmental Profiles to classify performance
of construction materials in a number of areas to award a summary rating on a scale of E (worst) up to A+ (best).

H HTB or Transmission heat transfer coefficient associated with nonrepeating thermal bridges the HTB is the
overall sum of heatloss / gain from each junction multiplied by that junctions length.

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I ISO International Standardisation Organisation is a certification body that proved assessments such as 9001- quality
management, 14001- environmental management, 18001- Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS), and 50001-
energy management.
IWI Internal Wall Insulation insulation on the inside or warm side of a wall.

K Kappa value relates to the thermal mass of a construction. It is the measure of how much heat will be stored per
metre squared of a building and represents k in the unit of measure kJ/m2K. k, or the heat capacity of a building, can
be calculated using the following equation:
k = 10 6 x (dj rj cj)
dj = thickness of layer (mm)
rj = density of layer (kg/m3)
cj = specific heat capacity of layer (J/kgK)

The calculation is over all layers in the element, starting at the inside surface and stopping at whichever of the following
conditions is encountered first (which may mean part way through a layer):
The total thickness of the layers exceeds 100mm
The midpoint of the construction is reached
An insulation layer is reached (defined as thermal conductivity 0.08 W/m.K)

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 9. Glossary

L Lambda value sometimes called the kvalue or value, measures the thermal conductivity of a material. kvalue
is shown in units of W/mK where m represents the thickness of the material in metres. Insulants have a low thermal
conductivity meaning heat cannot pass through them easily. The kvalue shows the general performance of a material
with regards to thermal conductivity and does not relate to the materials thickness.
LCA Life Cycle Assessment is how the environmental impact of a building is assessed from raw materials to disposal or
recycling.
Loose fill insulation for example cellulose or mineral insulations that are typically installed in the air cavities of buildings
through a gap or drilled hole in the building element.

M Moisture ingress is the act of water entering something. In construction terminology the term is typically used in
reference to external moisture (i.e. ground moisture or precipitation) entering a construction.
MVHR Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery: A system that ventilates a space by removing indoor air, recovering
the heat from that indoor air, and using it to preheat fresh air from outside.

O Open cell insulation has a structure that allows moisture and vapour to permeate through it.
OSB Oriented Strand Board, also known as OSB, Sterling board or Exterior board and is an engineered wood product
formed by layering strands (flakes) of wood in specific orientations set within a resin to form a rigid board. The product
is typically available in differing thickness from 625mm, and comes in differing grades from 14. Grades 24 are most
common, with grade 3 or 4 generally being used in structural applications. A common application for boards of this
type is as a structural sheathing to timber frames where they enhance the bending and racking strength of the frame.

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P P/A Ratio. The perimeter / area ratio is worked out by dividing the exposed perimeter given by the floor area. This will
calculate how much floor insulation is need. The exposed perimeter refers only to the walls that connect to an unheated
space, so this will mainly be an outside space or areas such as a garage. The smaller the P/A figure the smaller the
amount of insulation that is required, for example, a large area with a small exposed perimeter will have less heat loss
and, therefore, will require less insulation.
Partial bonding is typically used in reference to flat roofing and relates to the method of bonding various components
to the substrates beneath. When using a partial bond only a proportion of the two adjacent layers are bonded to one
another, this can be to allow for a degree of differential movement, the release of gas during installation, or just due to
discontinuity in the substrate, i.e. such as in the case of a profiled metal deck. When referring to builtup bituminous felt
partially bonded systems are generally achieved by using a 3G perforated felt, which is loose laid above the substrate
(i.e. deck or insulation) and the next layer of felt is then partially bonded to the substrate at the points of the perforations
in the 3G layer.
Passivhaus or Passive House Standard. A Passivhaus is a building, for which thermal comfort can be achieved
solely by postheating or postcooling of the fresh air mass, which is required to achieve sufficient indoor air quality
conditions without the need for additional recirculation of air. The Passivhaus standard is a very high standard of
energy efficiency by reducing levels of heat loss through high levels of insulation and preventing air loss, the building is
heated passively through the sun, human occupants and household appliances with the remaining heat being supplied
through heating or cooling of air in a mechanical ventilation system.

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 9. Glossary
Phenolic Foam (PF) is an insulant such as Kingspan Kooltherm rigid phenolic boards. It has a high compressive
strength and a closed cell structure. The thermal conductivity of phenolic foam is lower than that of rigid polyurethane
or extruded polystyrene.
Plenum in ductwork, a plenum is a space above a ceiling that allows the collection of air in order to let it move between
different spaces in the building.
PIR Polyisocyanurate foam is a rigid polymeric foam insulation, for example Kingspan Thermapitch that has a thermal
conductivity of 0.022 W/mK.
Psi value or value is the measure of heat loss per K shown in units of W/mK where m details the length of a
junction in metres. It is used to estimate the potential for nonrepeating thermal bridges.
PU is a family of rigid cellular thermoset polymeric foam with a close cell structure that forms both PIR and PUR based
polymer forms. Kingspans Therma range is made up of PU rigid urethane insulants.
PUR Polyurethane foam is a rigid polymeric foam insulation with a high thermal resistance and low thermal conductivity.
It can be used on its own or to seal air gaps between existing insulation elements.

R Retrofit the installation of insulation over preexisting building elements or insulation.

RH Relative Humidity is a percentage that measures the relationship between the actual moisture content of the air and
the saturated moisture content of the air.

58
 Rvalue demonstrates thermal resistance of a material in relation to its thickness. It is measured in units of m2K/W
where m represents the thickness of the material in metres which is divided by its value.
SAP Standard Assessment Procedure which measures the energy performance or efficiency of a domestic building.
It covers the energy consumed in relation to the floor area, a fuelcostbased efficiency rating, and CO2 emissions.
The procedure follows the structure of BREDEM (BRE Domestic Energy Model).
Sarking board rigid boards, such as timber planks, plywood or OSB used above rafters in a pitched roof. The use of
S sarking boards is most common in Scotland, where traditionally sarking boards comprised softwood sawn planks fixed
to the upper face of the rafters.
SBEM Simplified Building Energy Model assesses the energy efficiency of a nondomestic building. The software is
used to measure the CO2 emissions of nondomestic buildings and whether they comply with building regulations and
standards.
SIPs Structurally Insulated Panels are a combination of insulation and structural elements such as timber facings in one
board. An example is the Kingspan TEK Building System.
Soffit the underside of an architectural component, for example an arch, beam, staircase or underneath car park decks.
Insulations for this type of building element include Kingspan Kooltherm K10 FM Soffit Board and Kooltherm K10 PLUS.

59
 9. Glossary

T Tanking membrane a water proof membrane used to prevent moisture ingress further into a construction. Products of
this type are often used in basement wall or floor constructions. A variety of materials ranging from membranes to liquid
applied systems, with both bituminous, cementitous and synthetic plastic products all being available in the market
place.
TER is the Target Emission which is based on a notional building, concurrent specification, which differs based on the
country in which you are building (eg England, Wales or Scotland).
TFEE Target Fabric Energy Efficiency is an additional standard in England presented alongside the TER.
Thermal bridges are channels through which heat can be lost when a material has a higher thermal conductivity than
adjacent building elements. They can also be referred to as Cold bridges or Heat bridges. The three main types of
thermal bridges are:
Repeating thermal bridges which develop in a regular pattern, for example where there are timber studs in walls.
Uvalue calculations take account of the effect of repeating thermal bridges e.g. a 15% timber bridging fraction
might be taken for studs in a timber framed wall.
Nonrepeating / linear thermal bridges occur in an irregular pattern at junctions between building elements eg
around windows or between walls and floors.
Point thermal bridges are used as adjustments to the Uvalue of a building element. They take account of thermal
bridging at fixings, fasteners and beams.

60
 Thermal Conductivity is the measure of thermal conductivity used on materials in which heat transfer occurs through
conduction, convection and radiation.
Thermal mass is how well an element absorbs, stores and releases heat per metre squared (See Kappa Value).
Thermal Resistivity as with thermal conductivity, this measures a materials ability to resist
heat transfer through conduction, convection and radiation in relation to the materials thickness or surface emittance
(see emissivity).
Thermoset is a type of insulation that sets permanently after cooling. If the insulation is reheated it will not change
shape. Thermoset materials will not run, melt or drip when exposed to fire. Examples include Kingspans Kooltherm and
Therma ranges.

U Uvalue The Uvalue is a sum of the thermal resistances of the layers that make up a building element i.e. walls, floors,
roofs etc.). It includes adjustments for any fixings, air gaps etc. This value shows in units of W/m2K the ability of an
element to transmit heat from a warm space to a cold space in a building and vice versa. The lower the Uvalue, the
better insulated the building element is.

V Ventilation is the process of changing or replacing air in any space to remove excess moisture or other pollutants,
such as carbon dioxide or ground gases such as radon and replaced with external air (See MVHR).

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 9. Glossary

W Water flow reduction layer is a membrane such as Kingspan Aquazone typically utilised within inverted roof
constructions where it is laid above the thermal insulation to aid in minimising the cooling effect associated with rain
water draining beneath thermal insulation. These products typically compose nonwoven, spunbonded polyolefin
with microperforations which allow the escape of moisture vapour while preventing the majority of liquid water from
peculating further down into the construction.
Wind uplift / Wind load calculations wind can apply a positive or negative force onto objects depending on
the construction detail, its orientation to the direction of wind, and the difference between internal and external air
pressures. Wind load calculations are particularly important for systems restrained to the outside of a building, such as
warm or inverted flat roofs and external wall insulation systems such as EWI render and rainscreen systems.
A wind load calculation considers a number of factors, such as the location and altitude of the building plot, local
topography (i.e. geographical features, valleys, hillside etc.), adjacent structures which may shelter or funnel wind
towards the building, also the construction type, its height from ground, and position on the construction in relation to
the prevailing wind direction.

X XPS Extruded Polystyrene has a high resistance to condensation damage and has a high thermal resistance. Kingspan
Styrozone is a rigid extruded polystyrene.
Y Yvalue is an approximation of a specific buildings heat loss via its junctions. It is calculated by dividing the HTB
(overall thermal bridging coefficient) by the buildingss total exposed area (See HTB).

62
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Drop us a line at info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk

63
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Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA, UK
www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk

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Kingspan, Kooltherm, Nilvent, OPTIM-R, Thermafloor, Thermapitch, Thermabate, Styrozone, TEK, Thermaroof and the Lion Device
are Registered Trademarks of the Kingspan Group plc in the UK and other countries. All rights reserved.
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Kingspan Insulation Ltd. Registered in England & Wales, No. 01882722. Registered Office: Pembridge, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9LA UK.