so whats better Unilin Thin R underfloor or kingspan thermabon TF70/TP10

[CalvinHobbes]

Sheesh still trying to get this floor down. Head is done in tbh. 

Got 2 quotes but am I comparing like with like re u values?

Chat GPT said this but is it right?

Both Unilin Thin-R and Kingspan Thermaboard TF70/TP10 are high-performance insulation products, but they differ in terms of their specific applications, thickness, and thermal performance (U-values). Here’s a comparison based on U-values and thermal efficiency:

1. Unilin Thin-R Underfloor Insulation

• U-value: Thin-R boards generally have U-values around 0.021–0.023 W/m²K depending on thickness.
• Applications: Suitable for underfloor insulation (including screeds and suspended floors).
• Material: Polyisocyanurate (PIR) rigid board with foil facings.
• Features: High-performance in thinner profiles, which can help in spaces where height restrictions are important.

2. Kingspan Thermaboard TF70/TP10

• U-value: Kingspan TF70/TP10 typically offers U-values of around 0.022 W/m²K (for TP10) and slightly higher for TF70, which is more targeted at specific floor applications.
• Applications: TF70 is designed for floors, while TP10 is more of a general-purpose insulation board (roof, walls, and floors).
• Material: PIR rigid board with a foil facing as well.
• Features: Kingspan products are known for superior thermal efficiency, making them ideal for a range of insulation applications. They also often have better fire resistance ratings.

Comparison:

• U-value performance: Both products offer similar U-values, with minor variations based on thickness.
• Application suitability: For underfloor applications, both are appropriate, but Unilin Thin-R might be preferable in cases where minimal thickness is crucial.
• Fire resistance: Kingspan products tend to have better fire ratings compared to Unilin in many cases.

In terms of pure thermal performance (U-values), they are quite comparable, with Kingspan often being preferred for its well-known brand reliability and higher fire safety performance.

 

Edited October 14 by CalvinHobbes

[CalvinHobbes]

what is the TF70 u value

The Kingspan TF70 has a thermal conductivity (lambda value) of around 0.022 W/m²K. This is the same thermal conductivity value as Kingspan TP10.

The U-value you achieve with TF70 will depend on the thickness of the board and the overall construction. For example, thicker boards provide better insulation (lower U-values).

Here are some typical examples for Kingspan TF70:

• 50mm thickness: U-value ~ 0.44 W/m²K (approximate)
• 100mm thickness: U-value ~ 0.22 W/m²K (approximate)
• 150mm thickness: U-value ~ 0.15 W/m²K (approximate)

These values depend on the specifics of the floor or installation system you are using, as U-values are calculated based on the entire construction layer (not just the insulation board).

 

So the architect specified 150mm with 2 layers 50 below and 100 on top with minimus 25mm screed

Edited October 14 by CalvinHobbes

[ADLIan]

Kingspan and ‘higher fire safety performance’ - words I never thought I’d see in the same sentence following the Grenfell Tower fire. All PUR foams burn.

[JohnMo]

3 hours ago, ADLIan said:

All PUR foams burn

They also yield the same U value at the same thickness. I used Celotex as it was cheaper at the time.

 

3 hours ago, CalvinHobbes said:

Chat GPT

Be careful using anything these AI bits say, they can randomly make stuff up, verify yourself.

 

Also floor U value changes with perimeter area ratio.

[Susie]

Have a look at Recticel they are often cheaper like for like u values 

[ChrisInKent]

Our building control/plans specify 160mm for the floor at 0.022 which most of them are, but it can be in any combination. Only one company does 160mm but quite a few do 150mm so it might be worth checking why you need to have 2 layers. I’ve found it’s worth doing calls for different combinations to work out the cheapest combination. So you might want to do 60/90 or 80/70 if you are allowed to get the cost as low as possible. 

 

Has anyone used Pinks Insulation or Trade Insulations as a PIR supplier? Or got a recommendation for good insulation suppliers ( need deliver to South East England)? 

[JohnMo]

53 minutes ago, ChrisInKent said:

good insulation suppliers ( need deliver to South East England)? 

Get online, then ring your local merchants. Mine came straight from Celotex via an online seller all the way up to NE Scotland for free.

[crispy_wafer]

1 hour ago, ChrisInKent said:

Our building control/plans specify 160mm for the floor at 0.022 which most of them are, but it can be in any combination. Only one company does 160mm but quite a few do 150mm so it might be worth checking why you need to have 2 layers. I’ve found it’s worth doing calls for different combinations to work out the cheapest combination. So you might want to do 60/90 or 80/70 if you are allowed to get the cost as low as possible. 

 

Has anyone used Pinks Insulation or Trade Insulations as a PIR supplier? Or got a recommendation for good insulation suppliers ( need deliver to South East England)? 

 

used pinks last week for some metal framing stuff that my local BM's didnt have.  Got a phone call 30 minutes after online order to confirm delivery date.  Delivery driver rang when he was on the way.  Delivery truck had one of those 3 wheel fork lifts too.  All in all, one of the better companies I've used.

[Iceverge]

7 hours ago, CalvinHobbes said:

Sheesh still trying to get this floor down. Head is done in tbh. 

 

Just use the thickest layer you can. 

 

100mm PIR is normally good value. 200mm might cost the same as 150mm if you can fit it. 

[SteamyTea]

16 hours ago, CalvinHobbes said:

Sheesh still trying to get this floor down. Head is done in tbh

Goes back to the basics.

 

k-value is the thermal conductivity, the unit is W.m^-1.K^-1

This is the important property because you can calculate the other units.

 

R-Value is the thermal resistivity and takes the thermal path length into account.  It is calculated from the k-Value and the length.

R = length (m) / k-Value

The length, in metres, is just the thickness i.e. 0.2m

R-Value has the units K.m².W^-1

R-Value is used as an intermediate calculation step as it allows different layers of materials to be added together i.e. brick, insulation, block, plaster, to get the total thermal resistivity.

 

U-Value, which is generally the value we are after, is the reciprocal of R-Value.

U-Value = 1.R^-1 or 1/R

 

It really comes down to the available thickness, the price and ease of fitting.

The foil coating is there to act a a vapour control layer, a sheet of polythene is more effective.

[Susie]

20 hours ago, Iceverge said:

 

Just use the thickest layer you can. 

 

100mm PIR is normally good value. 200mm might cost the same as 150mm if you can fit it. 

It is a juggling act on two layers working out the cost varying the depths as @Iceverge says but think waste as well two layers of 80mm might give you less wasteage or you can fit in in walls or around cylinders etc.