PIR insulation: a good choice for roof insulation

Roof insulation: why should you insulate your roof?

Whether you should insulate your roof depends on the insulation currently on your roof. Do you have no insulation on your roof at all? Then it is wise to take action as soon as possible. Energy prices are currently sky-high. And the bill can add up considerably if you lose a lot of heat through your roof. Good roof insulation is one of the most important steps towards an energy-efficient home. And this not only results in a lower energy bill, but it also improves your living comfort. In the summer, your home stays cooler longer, and in the winter, the heat stays longer.

Since 2020, there has been a Flemish roof insulation standard. This standard stipulates that all roofs of homes and rental properties connected to the electricity grid before January 1, 2006, must be insulated. This applies to all independent homes. Having your roof insulated not only provides more comfort and a lower energy bill but is also simply mandatory in many cases.

PIR insulation: a good choice for roof insulation

Insulating a roof can be done with glass wool, mineral wool, or PIR boards. Dural Bouwgroep often chooses PIR insulation. This is a synthetic insulation material that we use to reduce heat transfer. The material consists of plastic foam with a closed cell structure, giving it excellent thermal properties.

A high insulation value

One of the main advantages of PIR insulation is the high insulation value. This means that the material has a high resistance to heat transfer and is therefore very effective in reducing heat loss.

Thin material

Another advantage of PIR insulation is that the material is relatively thin. Due to the high insulation value, a relatively thin layer already provides a lot of insulation. The Rd-value is the value that expresses how insulating a material is. To achieve an Rd-value of 4.5, for example, you only need 10 centimeters of PIR insulation. While for the same effect, you would need 16 centimeters of glass wool or mineral wool. And that space is not always available.

Optionally, you can achieve an even higher insulation value with a slightly thicker layer of PIR insulation. For example, with 12 centimeters of PIR material, you already achieve an Rd-value of 5.45, and with 14 centimeters, an Rd-value of 6.3. Compared to other insulation materials, you need less material with PIR insulation to achieve a high insulation value. And 12 centimeters of PIR insulation costs only a fraction more than 10 centimeters of PIR insulation. So with 12 centimeters of insulation, you are already set for the coming decades.

Impenetrable shield of insulation

PIR insulation consists of large panels and is lightweight. Unlike glass wool, PIR insulation is screwed along the outside of your roof on top of the roof structure. This means you have a complete layer of insulation on top of your roof, without heat leaks. So you create an impenetrable shield of insulation on top of your roof, resulting in hardly any heat loss. This is perhaps the main reason to choose PIR insulation.

A safe choice

What is also important is that PIR insulation is made of fire-safe material. It has a high ignition temperature and is self-extinguishing. This means it does not contribute to the spread of fire. Moreover, PIR insulation does not emit toxic smoke when exposed to high temperatures. This makes it a safe choice.

Grants for roof insulation

It is good to know that in Belgium, you can apply for grants for roof insulation. You can get a certain amount back per square meter of insulation. The amount you get back depends on the nature of your home and your income. To qualify for a grant for roof insulation, you must upload the quote and invoice from a recognized installer online, along with a contractor's document. In addition, the Rd-value of the roof insulation must be at least 4.5. This is very achievable with PIR insulation.

Contact

At Dural Bouwgroep, you can have your roof insulated or undergo a complete roof renovation. Our advisors can also advise you on which grants you can apply for and where. We are happy to think along with you and take the work off your hands. Would you like to know more about having your roof insulated? Then contact us.