Insulation materials play a key role in the thermal, acoustic and fire performance of buildings and infrastructure. Different insulation types offer different performance characteristics and can differ significantly in embodied carbon, so selecting the right dataset matters both for accuracy and for meaningful comparison between specifications.

As a rule of thumb, if you have an EPD, search for the EPD number first. If the data is eligible for use in your calculation tool, it will most likely already be available.

Insulation products can be found by free-text search or using the pre-defined material filter: Insulation, then selecting the specific type.

The key variables when selecting an insulation dataset are thermal conductivity (lambda, W/mK), density (kg/m³), and for some materials, recycled content or manufacturing region. Always match the lambda and density of the dataset to your specification. Since datasets are expressed per m² at a reference thickness, check that the thickness in the dataset matches your design thickness, or adjust the quantity accordingly.

Glass wool insulation in batts or rolls is available at ten density levels from 5 kg/m³ through 130 kg/m³, with lambda values from 0.034 to 0.041 W/mK. Three recycled glass content levels are available at the mid-density ranges: 20%, 50% and 80%. The 50% recycled content dataset is a reasonable default for most glass wool products in European markets.

Glass wool insulation panels (unfaced, generic) are available at two density bands: 25–50 kg/m³ (lambda 0.032 W/mK) and 75–110 kg/m³ (lambda 0.034 W/mK).

Glass wool pipe insulation (unfaced, per metre) is available at three pipe sizes: 2 inch/25 mm thickness, 4 inch/25 mm thickness, and 6 inch/50 mm thickness, all at 65 kg/m³ and lambda 0.035 W/mK.

Stone wool (mineral wool) insulation is available unfaced at seven density levels from 12 kg/m³ through 155 kg/m³, covering the full range from light loft and cavity applications through to high-density façade, acoustic and fire-resistant boards. Two slag content variants are available at the lower densities: 22% slag content and 50% slag content. A high-pressure suitable variant is available at 155 kg/m³ for applications requiring structural load resistance such as inverted roofs and green roofs.

Stone wool (slag wool) insulation with 90% slag content is available at four density levels from 12 kg/m³ through 60 kg/m³, for applications where a high-slag recycled feedstock product is specified.

A generic stone wool insulation panel dataset is also available at 50 kg/m³ and lambda 0.037 W/mK (R = 5.41 m²K/W at 200 mm) for early-stage assessments.

PUR (polyurethane foam) insulation panels are available unfaced at 30 kg/m³ and lambda 0.022 W/mK (R = 4.55 m²K/W at 100 mm). PIR (polyisocyanurate foam) insulation panels are available unfaced at 45 kg/m³ and lambda 0.022 W/mK (R = 4.55 m²K/W at 100 mm). A polyurethane rigid foam insulation board is also available at 35 kg/m³ and lambda 0.025 W/mK (R = 8.0 m²K/W at 20 mm), covering thin high-performance board applications. PUR-core sectional doors (residential garage and industrial) are also available as complete unit datasets.

PUR and PIR have the lowest lambda values of any widely used insulation type and are commonly specified where space is constrained. Note that the blowing agent used in manufacture contributes significantly to the total GWP of these materials; check the dataset description for the blowing agent assumed.

XPS insulation panels are available at two performance levels and three recycled polystyrene content levels (0%, 20% and 40%), giving six datasets in total. The lower-performance variant has lambda 0.033 W/mK, 300 kPa compressive strength and 31.25 kg/m³ at 40 mm. The higher-performance variant has lambda 0.035 W/mK, 500 kPa compressive strength and 38 kg/m³ at 100 mm. Both are produced with a CO2 blowing agent. Choose the compressive strength variant that matches the application: 300 kPa for vertical and non-trafficked applications, 500 kPa for inverted roofs, floors and below-slab insulation.

EPS insulation panels are available in white and graphite variants, each at three densities and four recycled polystyrene content levels (0%, 10%, 45% and 100%), giving 24 datasets in total across both types. Density levels are 15 kg/m³ (lambda 0.037 W/mK, 85 kPa), 20 kg/m³ (lambda 0.035 W/mK, 120 kPa) and 30 kg/m³ (lambda 0.033 W/mK, 220 kPa). Graphite EPS typically achieves a lower lambda than standard white EPS through the addition of graphite particles; where the dataset shows the same lambda value, the graphite variant reflects the different material composition and associated production impacts.

Recycled polystyrene content has a meaningful effect on the GWP result: the 100% recycled dataset will show significantly lower embodied carbon than the virgin equivalent. If the specification or procurement allows recycled content, use the appropriate dataset and document the assumption.

Cellular glass insulation is available at four density and lambda combinations, all made from 100% recycled glass but with different foaming agents: sodium hydroxide and borax (125 kg/m³, lambda 0.046 W/mK), carbon black and iron oxide (160 kg/m³, lambda 0.050 W/mK), hard coal fly ash and silicon carbide (200 kg/m³, lambda 0.060 W/mK), and dolomite (760 kg/m³, lambda 0.140 W/mK). The high-density dolomite variant is a specialist product for high-compressive-strength or fireproof applications rather than a thermal insulation in the conventional sense. For most thermal applications, use the 125 or 160 kg/m³ variants.

Elastomeric rubber foam pipe insulation is available at lambda 0.035 W/mK, 25 mm thickness, 54 mm pipe diameter, 61 kg/m³ (0.4 kg/m). This covers mechanical services pipe insulation in HVAC and plumbing applications. Glass wool pipe insulation per metre is covered under the glass wool section above.

Hemp fibre insulation is available in two forms: loose (lambda 0.039 W/mK, 35 kg/m³) and batts (lambda 0.039 W/mK, 100 mm, 3.5 kg/m², 35 kg/m³).

Cellulose insulation (blown) is available in three application variants: attics (lambda 0.039 W/mK, 273 mm, 31.5 kg/m³), pitched roofs (lambda 0.039 W/mK, 273 mm, 47 kg/m³) and walls (lambda 0.039 W/mK, 136.5 mm, 50 kg/m³). These reflect the different densities achieved by blown installation in different orientations.

Wood fibre insulation is available in three product types, each at three manufacturing region scenarios (world average, Canadian and Scandinavian wood pulp): flexible friction-fit batts for between studs and rafters (lambda 0.038 W/mK, 50 kg/m³), weather-resistant boards for external walls and roofs (lambda 0.043 W/mK, 180 kg/m³), and load-bearing boards for below-floor screeds (lambda 0.042 W/mK, 140 kg/m³). The manufacturing region affects the energy inputs to pulp production and therefore the GWP result.

Sheep wool insulation is available in loose and batt form, from both virgin and recycled wool. Batts are available at four densities from 14 kg/m³ (lambda 0.042 W/mK) through 31 kg/m³ (lambda 0.035 W/mK), in both virgin and recycled wool variants, giving eight batt datasets in total. Loose fill is available at 15 kg/m³ (lambda 0.040 W/mK) in both virgin and recycled wool. Recycled wool batts will generally show a lower GWP than virgin wool equivalents.

Rice straw bale insulation is available at two thicknesses: 220 mm (lambda 0.064 W/mK, 153 kg/m³) and 460 mm. A rice straw wood-braced panel is also available at 400 mm (lambda 0.064 W/mK, R = 6.29 m²K/W).

Wheat straw bale insulation is available at 220 mm (lambda 0.048 W/mK, 111 kg/m³) and 460 mm (lambda 0.048 W/mK, 104 kg/m³).

Insulation datasets are expressed per m² at a reference thickness stated in the dataset description. To model a different thickness, multiply or divide the quantity by the ratio of your design thickness to the reference thickness. For example, if the dataset is at 100 mm and you need 150 mm, enter 1.5 m² per m² of floor or wall area.

If your specification calls for graphite EPS, use the graphite dataset, as it reflects the different material composition including the graphite additive and its associated production impacts. If the specification does not distinguish between the two, white EPS at the equivalent density and lambda is the more conservative choice.

Use the dataset with the highest available recycled content and note the assumption. If the actual recycled content is significantly higher and the difference is material to the result, contact the Customer Success team about commissioning a more specific dataset or adding a private dataset to your account.

Where composite element datasets are available (for example, insulated CMU blocks with EPS, PUR or wood fibre fill), use the composite dataset directly as it accounts for the full element including the insulation core. For custom sandwich configurations not covered by an existing dataset, add the concrete or facing layer and the insulation layer as separate quantities.