Boats and marine vessels offer a unique blend of serenity, adventure, and challenges. Insulating them, particularly in the varying maritime conditions of the UK, is not a luxury but a necessity to ensure safety, comfort and longevity.
When insulating boats it’s important to consider the primary reason for insulation – thermal protection, condensation control, or noise reduction. This will help determine what type of insulation is best suited to each application.
For example, spray foam insulation is perfect for insulating engine bays as it’s non-corrosive, doesn’t absorb moisture, and is Class 1 fire rated. It’s also fungi resistant, does not rot and can be easily moulded into awkward spaces. It’s a quick and easy to install solution for reducing heat loss, condensation, and noise.
As far as closed-cell spray foam insulation goes, it’s ideal for insulating metal framing (like aluminum). It’s able to morph around the aluminium and hug it tightly to make the space airtight and energy efficient. It can also be used for insulating hatches and door openings as it’s able to prevent heat loss, reduce condensation and resist mold and mildew.
Other marine insulation options include an iron slag-based product called Roxul (also known as a ‘slag wool’), which is rigid and designed to allow water to move vertically through it. This insulation is less expensive than the traditional foams and doesn’t off-gas or degrade. It’s also a great choice for insulating steel hulls because it can help to protect the hull from condensation and corrosion, as well as keeping the interior of the boat cool. boat insulation