Fibreglass insulation

[fixitflav]

I have fibreglass insulation in my loft, the sort that comes on a roll, put it in a few years ago to supplement what was already there. I recently had a guy round who wanted to quote for upgrading, and he claimed that fibreglass is no longer allowed, as bits can break off and cause respiratory problems. He quoted for removing it and replacing with mineral wool.
But looking on the internet fibreglass is still available, so I'm suspicious. Can anybody please comment?

 

[endecotp]

I recently had a guy round

Where did you find him?

Wasn't a cold caller was he?

I'm suspicious.

Yes.

 

[fixitflav]

Wasn't a cold caller was he?

No, I had a phone call first, and it seems a reputable outfit called Coastal Prime. But they might be trying it on a touch

 

[fixitflav]

I looked on Wickes and B&Q websites. They don't use the word fibreglass, most of the stuff looks like mineral wool, but they don't say fibreglass is no longer allowed. I'd have thought they'd say so if that were the case.
And this pic is from B&Q - it looks a lot like fibreglass to me!

 

[endecotp]

No, I had a phone call first,

Do you mean they called you before they visited?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

So that kind of out and out lie would be enough for me to dismiss them outright.

 

[stevie888]

That would be a con. You want 300mm to match current standard.

 

[fixitflav]

Do you mean they called you before they visited?

That's right

 

[fixitflav]

So that kind of out and out lie would be enough for me to dismiss them outright.

Do you mean fibreglass hasn't been banned? If that's the case it was a lie, but I don't think I've bottomed it yet. The stuff in the B&Q pic looks like fibreglass, but it might not be, and it doesn't say.

Incidentally, I installed fibreglass in about 1982 in a previous house. It was horrible stuff, scratchy and irritating. The stuff I used more recently was much nicer, like cotton wool by comparison.

Thanks everybody for the comments

 

[endecotp]

That's right

They cold-called you, and then visited.

Fibreglass is not banned.

As I understand it, all of these similar materials are described as “mineral wool”. Whether the raw material is glass or rock or some trade-secret mixture doesn’t much matter. I note that Knauf sell a product that they still describe as “glass mineral wool”.

It is true that newer products may be less nasty to handle than old-fashioned fibreglass, due to some additives. This doesn’t much matter once it is installed.

I’m not sure why you think “Coastal Prime” is reputable. Companies House suggests that a dormant business called “Costal Prime” (note spelling) was bought and the name was changed in April last year. They have not yet submitted any accounts, and there is only one director / shareholder, called John David Walsh, born 1991.

 

[fixitflav]

Fibreglass is not banned.

As I understand it, all of these similar materials are described as “mineral wool”. Whether the raw material is glass or rock or some trade-secret mixture doesn’t much matter. I note that Knauf sell a product that they still describe as “glass mineral wool”

Thanks, that's clear

This doesn’t much matter once it is installed.

Agreed, might be worth adding more (fibreglass or mineral) on top, but can't see why you'd remove what's there.

I’m not sure why you think “Coastal Prime” is reputable.

The guy made it sound like it, but he would, wouldn't he? I'd have checked them out in more detail if I'd been thinking of giving them an order.

 

[stevie888]

"The guy made it sound like it, but he would, wouldn't he? I'd have checked them out in more detail if I'd been thinking of giving them an order."

Jusr remember the BBB principle.

 

[fixitflav]

Jusr remember the BBB principle.

Is that Build Back Better?
As I said, I'd have checked them out in more detail if I'd been thinking of giving them an order."

 

[stevie888]

No: B##### Baffles Brains

 

[fixitflav]

No: B##### Baffles Brains

OK got it