Small gaps in insulation can have significant consequences for building performance, potentially leading to heat loss, condensation, damp and costly remedial work, according to ARC Building Solutions.
The insulation specialist is highlighting the importance of installation accuracy and consistency, warning that seemingly minor defects repeated across housing developments can create substantial quality and commercial challenges.
Government estimates suggest damp and mould hazards cost the NHS around £38 million annually, while excess cold is associated with costs of approximately £857 million each year.
Dr Alex Boote, Technical Director at ARC Building Solutions, said: “The industry often focuses on the cost of defects once they appear, but far less attention is given to where those costs begin.”
He added: “The reality is that thermal performance issues are rarely expensive because of the initial complaint. The real cost often comes from everything that follows, including investigations, remediation works and the resource required to manage them.”
One particular concern is insulation continuity at the eaves junction, where the roof meets the external wall. Restricted access, multiple trade interfaces and programme pressures can make consistent installation difficult, increasing the risk of thermal bridging.
ARC’s Eaves Insulator.
To address this challenge, ARC has developed its Eaves Insulator, designed to maintain insulation continuity at the wall plate while reducing installation variability.
Installed from above and fixed directly to roof trusses before roof completion, the system improves access and visibility during installation. An integrated ventilation tray also maintains the required airflow pathway within the roof space.
According to ARC, the approach helps minimise heat loss while making critical junction details easier to install, inspect and replicate consistently across developments.
Dr Alex concluded: “That’s why the industry’s focus should be on preventing defects before they become problems. The easiest time to correct an issue is during construction, when access is straightforward and remediation is simple.”
www.arcbuildingsolutions.co.uk