Insulation is a powerful tool when trying to make your home as sustainable as can be. The right insulative materials can trap heat in your house while also reflecting radiant heat to keep it cool. As a result, you’ll use less energy throughout the hot and cold points in the year, greatly reducing your home’s carbon footprint. 

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There’s just one problem…some types of insulation are not that sustainable. They’re made from non-recyclable materials and the manufacturing process creates loads of carbon emissions. So, if you want to remain sustainable, you need to choose the most eco-friendly insulation materials. Plenty of ideas exist, but these three options are the most popular right now: 

Celotex

Lately, Celotex has been used as a general term for a type of insulation, but it’s also a brand name. Either way, it is rapidly becoming one of the most sustainable insulation materials on the planet. Made from a combination of polyisocyanurate foam and aluminium foil, this insulation can be recycled after use and doesn't use any environmentally hazardous blowing agents when constructed. 

As shown on the DIY Building Supplies website, this insulation comes in slabs and fits between wall cavities. It’s extremely thermally efficient and can retain lots of heat when it’s cold. The fact your home stays very warm with this insulation and it can be recycled makes this one of the most eco-friendly options at your disposal. 

Sheep’s Wool

Sheep’s wool is a natural resource that can be harvested again and again with minimal impact on our environment. Sheep need to be sheered to remain cool during hot months anyway, so it’s the perfect combination. 

It’s believed to be a very good material at trapping heat, but the natural fibers in the wool also help it provide more breathability. This can improve the air quality in your home while keeping it warm. Of course, the material is also highly recyclable when it stops being useful as home insulation. 

Hemp

Hemp is one of those things that can be used in so many different applications. We have hemp oil, hemp clothing, and now hemp insulation. It’s wildly sustainable as the hemp plant is easy to grow and harvest under any conditions. 

In terms of insulative properties, it rivals some of the common insulation types you see on the market. Your home will remain warm and your energy bill will decrease. These savings are important as hemp insulation is definitely a luxury eco-friendly investment. It’s by far the most expensive option on this list, but can you put a price on sustainability?! Over time, the cost offsets itself with a lack of energy usage, and think about how greener your home will be as a result. 

Most of you probably weren’t aware that eco-friendly insulation exists. It always seems like one of those things you have to compromise on when building a sustainable home. In reality, there are ways to insulate your property without harming the environment. Do some extra research to figure out which one of the three options above suits your needs the best.