Any new info regarding quilted foil layer insulation efficiency?

[MR GUS]

So a few years ago there was a lot of conflicting views with regards to thin layered insulation foil with "material sandwich" types, there was much of a dubious attitude to the testing & alleged thermal efficiencies.. not to mention supportive reports claiming it was heavily biased / loaded  when compared to real world useage.

what has changed since then if anything?
Or is it a case of give a product a bad name & it'll stick regardless?

Is it time to re-assess & look at quilted insulation once more?

[Bodidly]

Hi Mr Gus

I don't know much about the science surrounding multifoil insulation but my whole house is insulated with triiso super 9. The roof is 50mm celotex between rafters and foil underneath and the walls have just got the foil. I was very careful when installing so all joints taped and 25mm gaps both sides of the foil except around the window reveals were there was only space for a gap on one side. This is in an old converted barn and  last winter we were able to keep the  whole warm with just the wood burner with our heat pump laying idol. Obviously I don't know how easy our house would be to heat if we had more conventional insulation but we are very pleased so far. I have attempted to read the the thread on the green building forum on this subject were I think they concluded that it was as usefull as  chocolate teapot. I would have to disagree with them on this, it may not be as good as originally claimed but  I could not be happier with how easy our house is to heat.

[dhaslam]

It doesn't get very good reviews  but if used on an otherwise completely uninsulated wall  and  there isn't space for anything else then  it is probably as good as anything else.     I have been using layers of bubblewrap and  kitchen foil  to insulate the pipes from the  home made  solar panels  and it is fairly useless so I have to find something better.   It might be worthwhile to do some tests with  it.

http://www.sustainability.ie/insulation.html

[clockmanFR]

I have recently used the foil bubble quilt stuff on a large interior wall, stair case, (if i did a 100mm job the staircase landing would be to narrow).

Roof laths frame mounted to the wall, then 2 layers, could have got 3 in the 18mm gap, but if the panels of insulation fit tight, then Air is trapped between the wall, the first quilt, betwen the 1 and 2nd Quilt then between the 2nd quilt and the plasterboard.

Its not as good as 100mm insulation, but in my experience its about equal to 40mm insulation.

[brackwell]

It is trapped air and the prevention of convection currents that does the insulation not the material.

Ken

[billt]

There's an enormous thread on the Green Building forum - http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=125&page=27#Item_30.

Consensus seems to be that they are about as effective as a similar thickness of normal insulation when used with an air space on either side. If you want the most effective insulation for its thickness use aerogel.

[MR GUS]

Thanks for the updates folks,

 So to summise, same issues & same views as went before with nothing solid to really bring it back to the fore as a product to use when there is space for alternatives such as foil foam.