The UK is bracing for some really cold weather to begin 2026. While we didn’t get a white Christmas, snow is likely in many areas in early January. It’ll have a lot of us turning on the heating more often. With all of this, it’s a good idea to think about how well insulated your home is. It could help you to save on energy bills and make your property more comfortable. There is a lot to think about, including different types of insulation. There has been a steady increase in demand for foiling services as more people choose foil to insulate homes. Let’s have a look to see why.
The key feature
When you consider insulation, most of the focus is usually on the U value. This is the score of how much heat passes through it (conduction). In most cases, the lower it is the better the performance. It will mean the material lets a smaller amount of heat pass through it, keeping more inside the property. So, materials with low U values like mineral wool and foam boards are very popular for different insulating jobs.
Foil is different to other materials though. It doesn’t have a low U value or block heat conduction particularly well. Instead, it excels at reflecting heat. Rather than it conducting into the envelope of the building, the foil reflects it back into the property so you keep it where you want it.
Popularity
As we said, foil insulation and foiling services are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. There are a number of key reasons for this.
Firstly, foil is light and easy to work with. That’s fantastic for tricky jobs like working in lofts and tight spaces. Generally you’ll start with a roll of foil and can unroll and cut to size for any area in the property. Installing it is very simple; in most cases all you need to do is use staples or battens to secure it. There is even foil tape for easier application at joints.
Secondly, foil is incredibly thin. It doesn’t rely on thickness to provide insulation; it relies on reflectivity. As a result, it is perfect for applications where you don’t want to lose a lot of space. It’s already popular for applications like aerospace and spacecraft for this reason.
Finally, foil is a very green product. Aluminium is renowned as one of the most recyclable materials in the world. In fact, it is cheaper to recycle it and create new products than it is to produce new aluminium. It aligns perfectly with environmental goals. You can use it to reduce the carbon footprint of properties, then at the end of its lifespan, you can recycle it.
Want to learn more about foiling services?
As you can see, there are lots of positives for foil insulation. This encourages people to use it for various projects, including new builds, extensions, and retrofitting. It’s cost effective and also works well with various other materials, including as facing for boards. Just make sure it won’t trap moisture.
If you’re interested in foiling services, including adding foils to different substrates, you can speak to us. We’re one of the leading specialists in the UK, with years of experience and a long list of happy customers. So, call or email us today and learn more about the foils we offer, applications, and more.