VIPEQ Guide — Cork Insulation Ireland
A practical guide to understanding the differences between spray-applied cork insulation and conventional insulation board systems — helping Irish homeowners choose the right approach for their property.
The most important distinction between cork spray insulation and conventional EPS (expanded polystyrene) or mineral wool board systems is breathability. Cork is a naturally vapour-permeable material — moisture vapour can pass through it, which allows walls to dry naturally and prevents moisture from becoming trapped.
This matters enormously in Ireland's older building stock. Solid stone walls, lime-mortared masonry and old brick construction all rely on their ability to breathe — absorbing and releasing moisture through seasonal cycles. Sealing them with an impermeable system can cause serious problems: trapped moisture, rising damp, frost damage and deterioration of the original fabric.
VIPEQ Thermal Corkspray preserves this breathability while adding a thermal barrier and a flexible, weather-resistant finish.
External insulation board systems typically require 80–120mm of material plus a separate render coat. This significantly changes the external appearance of a building, creates complex detailing around windows and doors, and may require planning permission — particularly in Architectural Conservation Areas or for protected structures.
VIPEQ Thermal Corkspray is applied in a single coat of just 3–6mm. This is usually within exempted development thresholds, requires no major window or door detailing changes, and has minimal impact on the building's appearance. It is also applied in a single visit — without the multiple-stage process of board systems.
Cork spray insulation is the right choice when one or more of the following apply:
Send us photos of your walls and we'll give you honest, straightforward advice — no obligation.