Cork insulation

Expanded cork board; naturally rot- and pest-resistant and renewable, but higher embodied energy/cost than straw or wool options.

Cost

Medium

Upkeep

None

Skill to build

Basic

Lifespan

40-50+ years, naturally rot- and pest-resistant

Embodied carbon

Medium

Space / material use

Low

Output timing

None

Skill to repair

Basic

Regulation (FR example)

New construction falls under RE2020, which sets thermal and carbon performance thresholds for the building as a whole rather than approving individual materials.

Note: Cost, carbon and footprint are rated against the other options for this same need, not in absolute terms.

Inputs

none

Outputs

none

Sources

• Natural-fibre insulation lifespan sources (SheepWool Insulation FAQ; Engineer Fix; ResearchGate natural-fibre insulation LCA review)

What this page does not tell you

No sizing or quantities: how much a technique yields, and how much a household needs, both depend on the build and the people, so the catalogue compares options rather than dimensioning them. It carries no bill of materials and no build sequence, and it is written for an oceanic, clay-soil climate (Normandy, France). Regulatory notes are indicative and need confirming locally.