Thermal insulation... Improve your comfort and save money !

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[Magazine article LexpressProperty 68 (April - May)]

Here in Mauritius, our homes can quickly turn into ovens during summer. Perhaps it is high time to think about energy renovation and tackle your home’s insulation - the key to lowering your energy costs, improving your comfort and increasing the value of your home. Read all about it!

How to do it?

There are many heat-resistant materials for insulating the house: hemp, wood fibre, wood wool and many others. For both new and renovated houses, the aim is to increase the insulating power of the building’s walls, making them airtight, while optimising ventilation. The energy efficiency of your house can be optimised through:

Roof insulation

Being one of the most significant surfaces exposed to the outside world - being constantly bathed in sun and wind - the roof is the weakest point in the thermal management of the house.

Wall insulation

Inadequate wall insulation is responsible for 20-25% of energy loss in the house. One of the causes of energy wastage is the gap between the exterior and interior walls.

Underfloor insulation

This approach, which is often used in conjunction with sound insulation, is more prevalent in older houses and involves retrofitting the floor from below (insulation fixed to the inside of the floor), from above (insulation laid on the floor and covered with a floor covering) or between the structural elements of the floor.

Glass wool, an efficient material!

Very popular in the world of thermal insulation, glass wool is made from natural products such as sand and recycled glass. This insulating material is generally presented in the form of a more or less flexible mat, in which air is trapped in a fixed manner by the intertwined fibres.

" Glass wool thermal insulation from the inside is effective in walls, attics and crawl spaces. In Mauritius, it is mainly 50mm or 100mm thick that is used in false ceilings or under sheet metal roofs, with a special feature being an aluminium foil on one side to prevent condensation from forming," says Sharon Koo, Director at J&B Trading.

Not only does glass wool combat the heat from outside, but it is also rot-proof - it is not affected by moisture and prevents the formation of mould. A real asset to Mauritian homes in humid areas. Glass wool can also be used as an absorber for soundproofing or fire protection.

" Besides the thermal properties, they also help to reduce noise from the outside. However, it is advisable to choose insulation that meets strict regulations since it can be allergenic or can disintegrate if of poor quality," concludes the expert.

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