Demand rises for Actis Hybrid as Covid sparks boom in loft conversions and garden pods

With demand for more living space as working from home becomes the norm, insulation specialist Actis is seeing a rise in demand for its products from homeowners extending their properties or building office pods in their gardens.

Many column inches have been devoted to stories of people moving home to accommodate their newly discovered need for a study, but less has been said about those who are staying put and expanding their existing accommodation to tackle lifestyle changes.

Builders’ merchants and builders are reporting sales growth and increasing interest from people wanting to use Actis as part of their home improvement plans.

Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper said: “Loft conversions have always been a popular choice as they represent excellent value for money. Obviously, we have a stamp duty holiday at the moment, but often the cost of the conversion can be less than the stamp duty alone when homeowners are weighing up the overall financial impact of extending versus moving.

“Another feature which had already been growing in popularity before the word Covid had even been heard of is the garden pod. With the need to work from home at least part of the time likely to continue for many years, interest in these has become enormous. There’s quite a waiting list in some quarters.  

“Actis is fitted as standard by many garden room specialists and is frequently the product of choice for builders carrying out loft conversions and extensions.”

Honeycomb insulation Hybris, coupled with insulating breather membrane and vapour control layer BoostR Hybrid and HControl Hybrid, offer an impressive U-value and can also eliminate thermal bridging.

“Builders choose Actis Hybrid products over more traditional forms of insulation, not just because of their impressive thermal qualities but because they are so quick, clean and easy to install,” explained Mark.

One builder, Chris Brooks from Northamptonshire, who has been using Actis products for the past 16 years or so said: “What I love about Actis is that it’s so easy to use. It’s literally roll out, staple, counter batten, job done.”