Insulation in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)

Each system answers a different question. Spray PU foam dominates metal roofs and complex geometry; EPS / XPS handle walls and slabs; mineral wool is the fire-and-acoustic specialist.

1. 01

   Site survey

   Building envelope assessment, thermal-bridge mapping.

   ½ day

2. 02

   Substrate prep

   Clean, dry surface. Anti-corrosion primer on metal.

   1 day

3. 03

   Layout planning

   Board cuts, joint stagger plan, edge details.

   ½ day

4. 04

   Application

   Spray, board-fix, or wool-cut per system.

   2–5 days

5. 05

   Detailing

   Penetrations, parapet upturns, MEP coordination.

   1–2 days

6. 06

   Protection / topcoat

   UV-stable PU sealer (for foam) or cladding (for boards).

   1–2 days

• Warehouse roofs
• Villa walls
• Building façades
• Cold rooms
• Hot lines
• Pipework
• Tanks
• Marine hulls
• Refrigerated transport
• Acoustic walls
• Fire-rated walls

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  Ahlatci Gold Refinery

  Industrial · 2023

  Roof and process insulation

• Spray foam vs EPS — when do I want which?

  Spray PU foam for metal roofs, complex geometry, retrofit applications, and anywhere thermal-bridge-free monolithic insulation matters. EPS boards for new-build walls and slabs where you can plan the joint layout, ship-lap the edges and detail penetrations cleanly. Foam is faster but more expensive per m².

• Does spray foam waterproof?

  Closed-cell PU foam (35 kg/m³ and up) is effectively waterproof — it's a monolithic layer with no joints. It still needs a UV-stable topcoat for outdoor exposure (the foam itself degrades under UV) but it provides the waterproofing function as part of the insulation. This is why combo roof systems use it.

• What's R-value vs U-value?

  R-value is thermal resistance — higher is better. U-value is thermal transmittance — lower is better. They're reciprocals (U = 1/R). Dubai Municipality and most spec documents call out U-value targets for walls and roofs. We quote both on every job.

• Dubai Municipality compliance — what do I need?

  Dubai Municipality requires U-value ≤ 0.57 W/m²·K for roofs and ≤ 0.57 W/m²·K for external walls on most building types (residential and commercial). We calculate the build-up to meet or exceed the target and submit the spec with the construction permit.

• Can you insulate an existing villa?

  Yes — internal wall insulation (EPS or PU board) for retrofit, attic spray foam for ceilings, and external wall insulation system (EWIS) where façade access permits. Each option has different cost and disruption — we survey before quoting.

• Acoustic insulation — different material?

  Mineral wool is the acoustic specialist — it absorbs sound (not just blocks it). For STC-rated partitions in hotels and offices we install rockwool slabs in metal-stud cavities. Thermal insulation alone (EPS, XPS) gives only modest acoustic benefit.

• What lifespan?

  PU foam: 25–40 years. EPS / XPS boards: 40+ years. Mineral wool: 50+ years. Foam glass: 50+ years. The insulation outlives the building in most cases — what fails is the protection layer above (cladding, screed, waterproofing).

• Cost per square metre?

  Indicative ranges. Spray PU foam (75 mm): AED 110–180 / m². EPS boards (75 mm) installed: AED 75–135 / m². XPS boards (50 mm): AED 95–160 / m². Mineral wool (75 mm) for fire-rated wall: AED 120–200 / m². Combo roof system: AED 180–280 / m².

• Waterproofing

  Combo roof systems pair waterproofing with insulation in one pass.

• Bitumen Waterproofing

  Torch-applied membranes paired with foam-board insulation underneath.

• Repair & General Maintenance

  Annual inspection and repair of insulation systems.