Converted attics: the 3 essential insulators for a cool summer

Insulation, and in particular attic insulation, is one of the first renovation items to prioritize to improve summer comfort. Rooms located in poorly insulated attics experience the most overheating during the summer period, causing significant discomfort for occupants but also an increase in energy consumption if air conditioning is installed.

To avoid this, Isover offers three essential insulators to spend the summer cool (and the winter warm).

The priority criterion for good insulation: performance

Isover offers a complete range of materials (glass wool, rock wool, wood fiber or recycled textile) to meet the needs and sensitivities of its customers as closely as possible. All its insulation is eco-designed and made in France from recycled, natural or geo-sourced raw materials. Each material has specific advantages, whether in terms of ease of installation, mechanical strength, environmental footprint or cost. These materials, thanks to their very low thermal conductivity, all contribute to summer comfort. The essential thing for summer comfort is to insulate well. And as your insulation will be used both in summer and in winter, it is crucial to use high-performance insulation solutions with the right thickness to obtain strong thermal resistance, whatever the material chosen. The thermal resistance (R) of an insulator depends on both its thermal conductivity and its thickness.

Favor R=6 minimum in converted attic

Regardless of the material, the most important thing is to use insulation that reduces heat transmission through the walls, thus limiting the increase in interior temperature. High thermal resistance is therefore essential for optimal efficiency.

The roof is the wall most exposed to sunlight due to its zenithal position and therefore most likely to overheat. It is therefore essential to slow down the penetration of this heat into the attic as much as possible with R=6 insulation. The greater the thermal resistance of the insulation, the more it slows down the passage of heat flow towards the interior.

Focus on Isover's three star products to insulate converted attics and optimize comfort in summer (as in winter)

• Isoconfort 35 Kraft
• High thermal performance with a lambda (thermal conductivity) of λ35* (0,035 (W/mK))
• Thickness of 220 mm to achieve R=6 (R=6,25 m².K/W)
• Designed with new technology
• Excellent mechanical resistance
• Easy cutting and easy plugging
• Made in France with 50% recycled glass on average
• Fully recyclable
• Biosourced binder
• Easy cutting and easy plugging
• ACERMI certification
• Health labeling (A+)
• Complies with DTU 45.10 for attics
• Excellent acoustic performance with RA = 49 dB and RA,tr = 42 dB**

*Also available in lambda 32.

Flex Contact 55

• High thermal performance with a lambda (thermal conductivity) of λ36 (0,036 (W/mK))
• Thickness of 220 mm (160 mm + 60 mm) to achieve R=6 (R=6,05 m².K/W)
• Easy to handle thanks to fibers that do not disintegrate and generate little dust when cutting
• Made in France from Douglas wafers from PEFC certified forests
• ACERMI certification
• Health labeling (A+)
• Excellent acoustic performance with RA = 49 dB and RA,tr = 42 dB**

Isocoton

• High thermal performance with a lambda (thermal conductivity) of λ37* (0,037 W/mK)
• Thickness of 245 mm (200 mm + 45 mm) to achieve R=6 (R=6,45 m².K/W)
• A pleasant product to install: soft, light, flexible and semi-rigid (from 100 mm)
• Made in France from 90% recycled textile
• ACERMI certification
• Health labeling (A+)
• Excellent acoustic performance with RA = 50 dB and RA,tr = 43 dB**

* λ38 in 200 mm.

**With terracotta tile cover + ceiling with 1 BA13.

Insulate yes, but not only... the impacting factors to stay cool in summer

To optimize summer comfort in homes, several factors must be considered in addition to insulation:

• Over-ventilation at night: opening windows at night allows good air circulation and cools the interior by evacuating the heat accumulated during the day when the outside temperature is lower. It saves up to 4,5°C.
• Solar protection of glazing: protecting windows and patio doors against solar radiation reduces the heating of indoor air. Exterior solutions such as adjustable sunshades or blinds contribute to this protection. If it is not possible to protect your glazing from the outside, solar control glazing can be effective against solar radiation. It saves up to 3,5°C.
• Building inertia class: inertia allows the building to accumulate heat. A structure with greater inertia can store more heat. It saves up to 2,5°C but insulation remains a key factor for thermal comfort.
• Internal heat supply: human activities inside the home, such as cooking or using household appliances, generate heat and must be regulated. It saves up to 2,5°C.