SupaSoft Recycled Plastic Insulation FAQs

Why is SupaSoft insulation good for the environment?

One of the best eco friendly insulations around - SupaSoft is made from 100% recycled polyester which comes almost entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Converting plastic bottles into insulation helps divert many tonnes of waste plastic from landfill and incineration each year which would otherwise damage the environment.

By installing SupaSoft in your loft, you’re also helping to reduce the amount of heat loss from your home. This means that your heating system doesn’t need to run for so long, which reduces the amount of fuel being used and in turn, reduces the amount pollutants being released into the atmosphere.

SupaSoft does not degrade over time and so it will last for the life of the building. This reduces the need to replace insulation over time and of course, removes the subsequent need for disposing of it.

Can Supasoft be recycled?

Yes – SupaSoft is made from the same material as a plastic bottles and can be recycled in the same way.

Where is SupaSoft made?

Supasoft is made right here in the UK.

How long does SupaSoft last?

SupaSoft is extremely durable. The binder is made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which doesn’t degrade or slump over time and because of this, it means that once installed, SupaSoft lasts the life of the building.

How does Supasoft insulation compare to other types of insulation?

The following table provides a comparison of Thermal Conductivity values for some of the most common types of insulation…

The lower the K value the better the thermal performance of the material.

Can SupaSoft help reduce noise?

SupaSoft can provide effective sound insulation when used at a thickness of 100mm or more. Where space does not allow for such thicknesses, it’s recommended to use a denser insulation such as Thermafleece Cosywool Flexible Slabs or Thermafleece Ultrawool .

Can SupaSoft be used to ‘top up’ existing insulation?

Absolutely. As a guide, the amount of additional insulation required will depend on how much is already installed and also it’s condition. If the old insulation is in poor condition, it’s recommended to add an extra 250mm of SupaSoft on top. If the existing insulation is still in good condition, however, then it’s enough to add enough SupaSoft to achieve a combined total thickness of 270mm.

Further information about installing Supasoft in a loft, including the U-Values that can be achieved when topping up over Fibreglass insulation, can be found here.

Note: before topping up your insulation, you should always check under and around any existing insulation to make there are no signs of damp or water damage.

Is SupaSoft safe to handle?

SupaSoft is an itch free insulation that is completely safe to handle. It does not contain any harmful chemicals or binders and isn’t irritating to the skin, eyes or respiratory tract. What’s more, SupaSoft can be installed without gloves or protective clothing, although a dust mask is recommended when installing in enclosed spaces such as lofts.

Can you use Supasoft around electric wires and cables?

Yes - but just like other types of insulation, you must ensure that electrical cables are sufficiently rated when passing within insulation.

Can Supasoft be installed around recessed light fittings?

SupaSoft can be installed around IC rated recessed lights. For non-IC rated recessed lighting, you must leave a minimum gap of 75mm between the insulation and the light fitting.

Recessed lighting can also be protected using an appropriately fire rated hood.

How much SupaSoft do I need for my loft?

The amount of SupaSoft insulation you will need depends on the size of the area you want to insulate. If you’re insulating from scratch, you will need to install multiple layers of insulation (usually laid between the joists and also at at right angles over the joists) in order to achieve the recommended rating. Detailed guidance on how to install SupaSoft insulation in a loft, as well as the recommended thickness to install, can be found in our document Typical U-Values and Installation which is also linked under the documentation section of our Supasoft web page.

How do I calculate the amount of rolls of SupaSoft I need?

Calculating the number of rolls required for a job is relatively easy. To help work this out we’ve listed all the rolls sizes on our website with their depth, width, length and the total square meterage they cover (this is the value shown in brackets in m²).

To calculate the number of rolls required for your project, you will need to start by measuring the total area of the space you want to insulate. Now divide this total area by the m² value of your chosen SupaSoft roll size.

For example…
To insulate a loft area of 25m² using 100mm rolls of 390mm wide SupaSoft: look for the total coverage you get with a single roll of 100mmx390mm on our SupaSoft webpage = 1.95m²

Next, divide your total 25m² by 1.95m² = 12.82 = 13 rolls of insulation required to cover your 25m² area.

Don’t forget that if you are planning to install more than one layer of insulation, you will need to multiply this ‘total’ by the number of layers you are planning to install.

How do I cut SupaSoft insulation?

The best way to cut SupaSoft is with a serrated knife (an insulation knife/cutting tool work well). To get an even cut along the length of a roll, keep the insulation tightly rolled up and cut across the roll to get a straight even edge.
SupaSoft can also be easily pulled apart or torn by hand when inserting into smaller or less regular shaped spaces too.

Why do Celtic Sustainables sell SupaSoft in rolls and not packs?

SupaSoft insulation is supplied by the manufacturer in packs of either 2 or 3 rolls, depending on the width of the rolls. This means that customers usually have to purchase insulation in multiples of 2 or 3 rolls from most other retailers. Here at Celtic Sustainables we recognise that our customers do not always need that many rolls for their project, which is why we sell SupaSoft as individual rolls. This enables our customers to purchase only the number of rolls they actually require for their project.

Why is SupaSoft insulation shipped in plastic packaging?

At this time, plastic is the only material available that’s capable of protecting insulation sufficiently during its transit and storage, although this is constantly under review. On the plus side, the use of plastic enables the rolls to be greatly compressed, which not only reduces the amount of packaging required but also reduces the carbon miles used during its transportation.

How is SupaSoft insulation delivered?

We ship our SupaSoft insulation orders by either courier (small quantities) or by pallet (larger quantities).

Why is SupaSoft sometimes delivered in cardboard boxes?

The courier companies that deliver our products have experienced difficulties in the past whilst transporting individual rolls of plastic wrapped insulation through their network (they frequently bounced off conveyor belts often un-noticed for some time). Because of these issues, we are now required to ship individual rolls in cardboard boxes.

Sometimes we ship insulation orders containing more than one roll in individual boxes too. This is determined by the cost of transporting the goods either by haulier (pallet) vs courier and enables us to achieve the most cost efficient means of shipping for our customers.

Are there any home improvement / eco insulation grants for SupaSoft insulation in the UK?

Unfortunately there are currently no grants available in the UK for SupaSoft insulation.

Can I use Supasoft to insulate my Camper van conversion?

Yes. Many people use SupaSoft insulation in their camper van conversion since it’s easy to work with and provides really good heat and sound insulation.

Other questions about Supasoft or eco insulation for your project?

Please do contact our helpful team, we are always delighted to help make the world a greener place.